Drum Lifter Liquid Distribution Assembly for Uniform Laundry Wetting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional washing machines experience uneven liquid and chemistry distribution within the treating chamber, particularly affecting laundry items at the rear or bottom, due to the location of the spray nozzle, leading to suboptimal washing performance.
Innovation Solution
A liquid distribution assembly that utilizes lifters within the drum to distribute liquid and chemistries more evenly, with a sealing interface between the tub and drum to prevent leakage and ensure efficient liquid flow through the lifters into the treating chamber.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If liquid is delivered to the treating chamber via a spray nozzle at the opening of the treating chamber, then the liquid delivery system is simple, but the liquid distribution is uneven particularly affecting laundry items at the rear or bottom
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid delivery system is segmented into multiple delivery points: the original spray nozzle at the chamber opening and additional nozzles positioned at the rear and bottom of the treating chamber. This segmentation allows liquid to be delivered to multiple locations simultaneously, ensuring uniform distribution across all laundry items regardless of their position in the chamber.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the treating chamber are provided with liquid delivery tailored to their specific needs. The rear portion receives liquid through dedicated nozzles positioned at the back, while the bottom area receives liquid through nozzles positioned low in the chamber. This local quality approach ensures that each region receives adequate liquid coverage for effective treatment.
2Device complexity
If liquid is delivered only through the front opening spray nozzle, then the device structure is simple, but washing performance is suboptimal due to poor wetting of rear and bottom laundry items
Solution Approach 1:
The washing system is segmented into multiple liquid delivery zones with dedicated nozzles for the front, rear, and bottom portions of the treating chamber. This ensures that laundry items in all regions receive adequate liquid for effective washing, improving overall washing performance and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
Liquid delivery is extended from a single point at the front opening to multiple dimensions within the chamber. Nozzles are positioned at the rear wall and bottom surface, creating a three-dimensional liquid distribution network that ensures comprehensive coverage of laundry items throughout the entire chamber volume.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution ensures improved washing performance by evenly distributing liquid and chemistries throughout the chamber, reducing cycle time and energy consumption while maintaining tub stiffness.
Implementation Method 1
a sealing interface between the tub and drum to prevent leakage and ensure efficient liquid flow through the lifters into the treating chamber
Data Source
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AI summary
Laundry treating appliance including a tub (14) having a tub side wall (106), a tub end wall (108) defining a liquid chamber and a tub end opening (110), whereby a tub manifold portion (156) is positioned at the tub end wall (108), a rotatable drum (16) is located within the liquid chamber and is rotatable about a rotational axis, it has a drum side wall (112), a drum end wall (114) at least partially defining a treating chamber and a drum end opening (116), a drum manifold portion (158) is positioned at the drum end wall (114) and confronts the tub manifold portion (156), at least one lifter (154) is secured to the drum (16), and a liquid conduit fluidly couples the drum manifold portion (158) to the at least one lifter (154).