Washing machine
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional drum-type washing machines face challenges in water and energy efficiency due to excessive water storage, poor drainage performance, and increased energy consumption during rotation, leading to suboptimal washing and spin-drying results.
Innovation Solution
A drum-type washing machine design featuring a tub with a drum that includes a lifter and through holes, where water is efficiently sprayed and absorbed by laundry, minimizing water storage within the drum, and a water flow path system for enhanced drainage, combined with a control system for intermittent water supply and drainage management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If water is stored in the drum during washing, then washing performance is improved, but energy consumption increases due to rotational energy requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The drum is divided into multiple compartments (first drum and second drum) with different functions. The first drum handles washing with minimal water, while the second drum handles spin-drying, allowing each segment to operate optimally without the energy penalty of storing water in the entire drum during washing.
Solution Approach 2:
Water storage function is extracted from the washing drum. The washing drum does not store water during washing, eliminating the energy consumption associated with rotating stored water, while still achieving effective washing through the spray mechanism and minimal water application.
2Loss of substance
If drainage is performed only through small holes at the bottom of the drum, then water is saved, but spin-drying performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The drainage system is segmented into multiple locations: small holes at the bottom for water saving during washing, and additional drainage holes at the front and rear ends of the drum for efficient spin-drying. This segmentation allows the system to optimize for both water conservation and spin-drying performance in different operational phases.
Solution Approach 2:
The drainage system operates periodically with different configurations. During washing, only the bottom small holes are active for minimal water loss. During spin-drying, additional front and rear drainage holes are activated to enhance water removal efficiency, creating a periodic switching of drainage functionality.
3Reliability
If a large amount of water is stored in the tub, then washing performance is improved, but water consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
A spray mechanism acts as an intermediary between the water reservoir and the laundry. Instead of submerging laundry in a large amount of water, the spray mechanism delivers water precisely where needed, achieving effective washing with minimal water consumption through targeted application.
Solution Approach 2:
The traditional mechanical washing system based on large water volume and drum agitation is replaced with a spray-based system. Water is sprayed directly onto the laundry in controlled amounts, substituting the need for large water volumes while maintaining or improving washing effectiveness.
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 design achieves significant water and energy savings while improving washing performance and spin-drying efficiency by minimizing water usage and optimizing water distribution and drainage, resulting in a high-water saving and energy-efficient washing process.
Implementation Method 1
a sprinkler configured to spray water toward the laundry accommodated in the drum by delivering water stored in the tub to a circulation pump
Implementation Method 2
because the drum is rotated while water is stored in the drum, energy to lift the water is required
Implementation Method 3
spray wash water to an inside of the drum while rotating the drum in a state of maintaining the wash water that is an amount of water absorbable by the laundry in the tub
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein is a drum type washing machine capable of obtaining a high-water saving effect. The drum type washing machine comprises at least one processor configured to control a drive device configured to rotate a drum, a water supplier configured to supply water to a tub, and a sprinkler configured to spray water stored in the tub toward laundry accommodated in the drum. The drum comprises a lifter and a plurality of rear through-holes. The at least one processor is configured to perform a water spray process while rotating the drum in a state in which an amount of wash water absorbable by the laundry is maintained in the tub, in a washing cycle. In the water spray process, a waiting process, in which driving a circulation pump 91 is stopped, is intermittently and repeatedly performed.