Drum Washer Spray Cycle Using Gasket Nozzles for Even Wetting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional washing machines with nozzles suffer from inadequate water spray performance, leading to uneven wetting of laundry and sanitation issues due to water distribution problems, and high power consumption.
Innovation Solution
A washing method that includes a water supply step, motor actuation for drum rotation, and a spray step using a gasket nozzle to circulate and spray water when the motor is stopped, with laundry quantity sensing to adjust the spray process, allowing for improved water distribution and reduced power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the motor and pump operate simultaneously, then washing process continues without interruption, but maximum power consumption increases and overheating occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The washing machine implements periodic operation cycles where the motor and pump alternate their operation. During spray cycles, the motor stops rotating the drum while the pump operates to spray water through nozzles. This periodic action reduces peak power consumption and prevents overheating while maintaining washing effectiveness through alternating mechanical agitation and water spraying phases.
2Device complexity
If water is sprayed in one place or direction through nozzles, then the spray mechanism is simple, but there is a limitation in getting the laundry evenly wet
Solution Approach 1:
The spray system is divided into multiple nozzles positioned at different locations (front wall, rear wall, and side walls) of the drum. Each nozzle sprays water in a different direction toward the laundry, ensuring comprehensive and uniform wetting coverage. This segmentation of the spray function into multiple distributed nozzles maintains relative simplicity while dramatically improving wetting uniformity.
Solution Approach 2:
Different nozzles are positioned to spray water at different locations and angles within the drum, creating localized spray zones that collectively cover the entire laundry load. The front nozzle sprays toward the front, rear nozzle toward the back, and side nozzles provide lateral coverage, ensuring each region of the laundry receives appropriate water application.
3Duration of action of moving object
If water is sprayed while the drum rotates, then washing action is continuous, but water is bumped against mechanisms around the nozzles causing sanitation issues
Solution Approach 1:
The system alternates between drum rotation phases and spray phases. During spray cycles, the drum stops rotating so water can be sprayed directly onto stationary laundry without being scattered by drum movement. This prevents water from splashing onto surrounding mechanisms and creating sanitation problems, while the alternating rotation phases provide mechanical washing action.
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 prevents overheating, reduces maximum power consumption, and enhances washing performance by ensuring even wetting and efficient water use.
Implementation Method 1
a spray step of spraying water into the drum through a gasket nozzle by actuating a pump for circulating the water inside the tub
Data Source
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AI summary
A method for washing of the present invention comprises: a water supply step of supplying water into a tub; a motor actuating step of actuating the motor for rotating a drum provided inside the tub; and a spray step of spraying water into the drum through a gasket nozzle by actuating a pump for circulating the water inside the tub, when the motor stops.