Drum-Mounted Electric Liquid Dispenser for Improved Laundry Wetting

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing laundry washing machines often fail to effectively distribute washing/rinsing liquid throughout the drum, leading to incomplete wetting of laundry, particularly in central and rear parts, and pose safety risks with electric components immersed in washing liquid.

Innovation Solution

A laundry washing machine with an electric liquid supplying device mounted on the drum, powered by a wireless power receiver unit separate from the drum, which dispenses liquid directly where needed, eliminating the need for sliding contacts and enhancing reliability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a large amount of water is used for washing, then washing performance is improved, but water consumption increases and energy consumption for heating water increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewashing performanceVSAvoidwater consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The washing machine drum is segmented into an upper washing chamber and a lower rinsing chamber, allowing separate water management for each function. This enables reduced water consumption while maintaining washing performance through efficient water distribution and reuse.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The rinsing chamber is nested within the washing chamber structure, with the rinsing drum positioned inside the washing drum. This nested configuration allows compact space utilization and enables the rinsing function to operate with minimal additional water while benefiting from the washing chamber's thermal environment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Reliability

If a large amount of water is used for washing, then washing performance is improved, but energy consumption for heating water increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewashing performanceVSAvoidenergy consumption for heating water
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The rinsing chamber is nested within the washing chamber structure, with the rinsing drum positioned inside the washing drum. This nested configuration allows compact space utilization and enables the rinsing function to operate with minimal additional water while benefiting from the washing chamber's thermal environment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the typically wasted hot water from the washing cycle into a useful resource for the rinsing cycle. By routing a portion of the hot wash water to the rinsing chamber, the system transforms what would be waste heat and water into a beneficial pre-heated rinsing medium, reducing the energy required for heating rinse water.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Reliability

If washing and rinsing are performed in separate cycles, then washing performance is improved, but washing time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewashing performanceVSAvoidwashing time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the washing and rinsing functions into a single integrated cycle by providing two separate chambers (washing chamber and rinsing chamber) that operate simultaneously. The washing drum and rinsing drum work in parallel, allowing both functions to be completed in the time it would traditionally take to complete just one function sequentially.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent adds a spatial dimension to the washing process by creating a vertical arrangement with the washing chamber on the upper level and the rinsing chamber on the lower level. This three-dimensional configuration allows simultaneous operation of both chambers without requiring additional time, effectively transforming a sequential time-based process into a parallel space-based process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP4061992B1Laundry washing machine with improved washing performances
Publication Date: 2026.04.22 ELECTROLUX APPLIANCES
  • EP4061992B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP4061992B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5
  • EP4061992B1 patent drawingFigure 6

AI summary

The present invention is related to a laundry washing machine (10) comprising: a cabinet (20), a washing tub (30) housed inside the cabinet (20), a drum (50) rotatably housed inside the tub (30), an electric liquid supplying device (200) mounted in/on the drum (50) and configured for dispensing a liquid (3) in an inner region of the drum (30). The invention is also related to a method for operating such a laundry washing machine (10), comprising: - loading laundry within the drum (50); - activating the electric liquid supplying device (200) for dispensing a liquid (3) in an inner region of the drum (30).