Drum Washing Machine Scum Removal Before High-Speed Spinning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for removing scum in drum washing machines are inefficient, often failing to detect scum early enough to prevent its accumulation and subsequent foaming, leading to poor rinsing effects and potential scum stabilization during washing cycles.
Innovation Solution
A method involving alternate low-speed drum rotation, controlled water intake to cover all water channels, and gentle liquid pumping to dilute and remove scum, combined with specific rotational speed and duty cycle management to prevent foaming and stabilize the scum for efficient removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If high-speed spinning is performed immediately after the main wash cycle, then washing efficiency is improved, but scum accumulates and prevents effective pumping
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a preliminary scum removal phase before high-speed spinning. The drum is rotated at low speed (10-30 rpm) for 5-15 minutes to allow scum to settle at the bottom, then water is pumped from the bottom to remove the scum layer. This preliminary action prevents scum accumulation that would otherwise interfere with subsequent high-speed spinning and pumping operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs periodic alternation between low-speed rotation and pumping phases. The drum rotates at low speed for a period, then stops for pumping, then rotates again. This periodic cycle repeats multiple times to progressively remove scum. The periodic action allows the system to alternate between scum settlement (rotation) and scum removal (pumping), effectively preventing scum buildup before high-speed spinning.
2Measurement precision
If scum is detected during pumping or spinning, then the process can be adjusted, but by this time scum has already accumulated and rinsing effectiveness is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of waiting for scum detection during pumping or spinning, the patent performs scum removal actions beforehand. The low-speed rotation and bottom pumping are executed as preliminary steps to prevent scum accumulation before it interferes with the washing process. This eliminates the time loss associated with detecting and then responding to scum accumulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent skips the conventional sequence of immediate high-speed spinning after washing. By rushing through a preliminary low-speed scum removal phase first, the system prevents the problem of scum accumulation before it can develop. This skipping of the conventional sequence allows efficient scum removal without delaying the overall washing process.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If heating facilities are used to destroy scum, then scum removal is achieved, but energy consumption increases and scum in extended areas is not effectively treated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts scum from the washing system by pumping water from the bottom of the drum where scum settles. Instead of heating the entire washing medium to destroy scum, the system physically removes scum-containing water through the pump. This extraction approach eliminates the need for energy-intensive heating while effectively removing scum from the system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the thermal field (heating) with a mechanical field (low-speed rotation and pumping). Instead of using heat to destroy scum, the system uses mechanical rotation to settle scum and mechanical pumping to remove it. This substitution of mechanical action for thermal action significantly reduces energy consumption while achieving effective scum removal.
4Object-generated harmful factors
If the drum is rotated slowly to allow scum to reach the heating facility, then scum destruction is improved, but the process time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts scum through bottom pumping during brief low-speed rotation phases (5-15 minutes). This extraction method is more efficient than prolonged slow rotation followed by heating, as it physically removes scum quickly rather than requiring extended time for scum to migrate to a heating facility. The pumping action accelerates scum removal while minimizing process time.
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
The method effectively breaks down and removes scum, preventing its stabilization and foaming, resulting in improved rinsing efficiency and reduced risk of scum being forced out during subsequent cycles.
Implementation Method 1
a detergent-solution pump which pumps a liquid from the base of the tub
Implementation Method 2
excessive scum formation in the main washing cycle, which can be observed while the washing detergent solution is being heated in the tub
Implementation Method 3
a sensor for determining the level of liquid contained in the tub
Data Source
AI summary
A method for removing scum in a tub of an electronically controlled drum washing machine. The method includes alternately rotating a drum following a main washing cycle and pumping liquid out of the drum, pumping a liquid out of the drum for between 30 seconds to 15 minutes following a main washing cycle and pumping liquid out of the drum, regulating a level of water following a main washing cycle and pumping liquid out of the drum by: introducing a quantity of water into the drum which is sufficient to cover all water channels, and rinsing over a short period of time t2. The method further including pumping liquid out of the drum while the drum is moved at a low rotational speed following a main washing cycle and pumping liquid out of the drum.