Drum Nozzle Alignment for Continuous Washing Liquid Recirculation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing horizontal axis washing machines suffer from inefficient recirculation of washing liquid, leading to ineffective detergent dissolution and circulation, resulting in wasted energy and poor washing performance.
Innovation Solution
A recirculation system with nozzles positioned according to a predetermined pattern, ensuring alignment with corresponding apertures in the drum during rotation, allowing continuous spraying of washing liquid into the drum.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If nozzles are positioned to spray washing liquid against the drum, then recirculation of washing liquid is achieved, but most of the liquid does not enter the drum and circulation efficiency is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The drum wall is equipped with through passages at specific locations (radially outward from the rotation axis) to create localized entry points for washing liquid. This ensures that liquid is delivered precisely where it can effectively enter the drum interior, improving circulation efficiency while reducing energy waste.
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes the dynamic rotation of the drum to bring through passages into alignment with nozzles at different positions during the rotation cycle. This dynamic alignment ensures continuous and efficient liquid delivery throughout the drum's rotation, maximizing circulation effectiveness.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If nozzles spray washing liquid at the drum, then recirculation system operates, but liquid entry into drum is intermittent rather than continuous
Solution Approach 1:
The recirculation system uses multiple nozzles distributed around the drum periphery, each aligned with specific through passages. This segmentation ensures that as the drum rotates, multiple liquid delivery points are active simultaneously or sequentially, maintaining continuous liquid circulation throughout the entire rotation cycle.
Solution Approach 2:
The through passages are positioned radially outward from the rotation axis, ensuring that during rotation, liquid can continuously enter the drum at the optimal location regardless of the drum's angular position. This maintains uninterrupted washing action throughout the cycle.
3Productivity
If through passages are added to the drum wall, then liquid circulation is improved, but drum structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The drum wall incorporates through passages that function similarly to porous structures, allowing washing liquid to pass through the drum wall at specific locations. This simple geometric modification enables effective liquid distribution without requiring complex mechanical components or additional systems.
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 configuration enhances washing performance by ensuring consistent liquid circulation and detergent distribution throughout the wash cycle, while maintaining a simple and reliable system design.
Implementation Method 1
a recirculating system in fluid communication with the sump and comprising at least a sprayer facing a wall of the drum; wherein the sprayer comprises a plurality of nozzles facing the wall of the drum and said wall presents a plurality of through passages
Implementation Method 2
a pump housing for receiving a recirculation pump, wherein the pump housing comprises a pumping cavity, and a recirculation conduit connecting the pumping cavity of the pump housing to at least one nozzle for supplying washing liquid into the tub
Data Source
Figure 1~2
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AI summary
The present invention is related to a top-loading washing machine comprising: a cabinet (C); a tub (T) installed in the cabinet (C); a sump (5) placed or fashioned at a bottom of the tub (T) and configured to receive washing liquid; a drum (2) rotatably mounted within the cabinet (C) about a horizontal axis (X-X); a recirculating system (6) in fluid communication with the sump (5) and comprising at least a sprayer (8) facing a wall (13) of the drum (2). The sprayer (8) comprises a plurality of nozzles (15, 16, 17) facing the wall (13) of the drum (2) and this wall (13) presents a plurality of through passages (18, 19, 20). The nozzles (15, 16, 17) and the through passages (18, 19, 20) are disposed and configured such that, during the rotation of the drum (2), there is always at least one nozzle (15, 16, 17) aligned with at least a corresponding through passage (18, 19, 20) in the drum (2).