Washing machine with drawers and flexible washing compartment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional washing machines are voluminous and do not address the issue of wear and tear on laundry, with no significant solution for minimizing size or energy consumption beyond recent advancements in energy efficiency and water usage.
Innovation Solution
A washing machine design featuring flexible washing compartments with inflatable outer compartments to provide pressure, allowing for efficient water use and laundry agitation without the need for rotating drums, enabling compact installation and simultaneous washing of multiple types of laundry.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional washing machines use rotating drums to wash laundry, then washing function is achieved, but the machine becomes voluminous and causes wear and tear on laundry
Solution Approach 1:
The washing machine is divided into multiple separate washing compartments (first washing compartment, second washing compartment, etc.) that can be stacked vertically. Each compartment operates independently with its own drum, allowing simultaneous washing of different laundry types without requiring a single large drum, thus reducing overall machine volume while eliminating laundry wear from traditional drum rotation.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a horizontal single-drum configuration to a vertical multi-compartment stacking arrangement. By utilizing the vertical dimension for compartment stacking, the machine achieves multiple washing functions in a compact footprint, reducing the horizontal volume occupied while maintaining effective washing capability through alternative non-rotational washing mechanisms.
2Quantity of substance
If conventional washing machines use large rotating drums, then washing capacity is sufficient, but energy and water consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the washing process into multiple smaller compartments, each handling specific laundry types or washing stages, the system optimizes water and energy usage for each compartment independently. This prevents the excessive consumption associated with large single drums, as each compact compartment uses only the necessary amount of water and energy for its specific washing task.
Solution Approach 2:
Each washing compartment is equipped with its own water supply, drainage, and heating capabilities, allowing independent operation and optimization. The compartments can function autonomously, with water and energy consumed only where and when needed, eliminating the inefficiencies of centralized large-scale systems that consume excess resources.
3Productivity
If washing compartments are made flexible with inflatable outer compartments, then pressure can be applied for efficient washing, but structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses inflatable outer compartments filled with gas or liquid to apply uniform pressure on the washing contents. This pneumatic/hydraulic mechanism provides efficient washing pressure without requiring complex mechanical pressuring systems, simplifying the overall structure while maintaining high washing productivity through controlled pressure application.
Solution Approach 2:
The washing compartments utilize flexible membranes or thin-walled structures that can deform under pressure from the inflatable outer compartments. This flexibility allows the compartment to adapt to pressure changes and maintain structural integrity without requiring rigid complex frameworks, thereby reducing device complexity while enhancing washing efficiency through dynamic pressure distribution.
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
Minimizes water and energy consumption by using the absolute minimum water needed for washing, allows for efficient washing and drying of multiple types of laundry simultaneously, and can be installed in compact spaces such as stacked or side-by-side configurations.
Implementation Method 1
the pump is activated. Firstly the pump is used to suck air from the washing compartment to reduce the volume of the washing compartment, whereby the laundry is compressed and soaked in water
Implementation Method 2
Gradually the water is sucked out, and the same water may be returned for instance via a filter to a reservoir provided in the washing machine
Implementation Method 3
water is provided into the flexible washing compartment from the washing machine, which is heated to the desired temperature
Implementation Method 4
The washing compartment(s) is/are subject to receive over-pressure on its outside to further increase washing. This is provided by means of one or more inflatable outer compartment(s) arranged to provide pressure on the outside of the washing compartment
Data Source
Figure 1a
Figure 1b~1c
Figure 2a
AI summary
Washing machine (1) for the washing of laundry such as clothes and textiles, which washing machine comprises a housing, open frame (1a), wherein the housing (1a) comprises:an inlet (4), for supplying washing water, an outlet (5), for disposal of washing water, a pump (6), for pumping the washing water and air, that the housing (1a) comprises at least one, preferably a plurality of washing drawers (2), each washing drawer (2) having a pair of conduits (4a, 5a)for fluid tight connection of a respective flexible washing compartment(10) for washing laundry and arranged in the washing drawer (2) ), wherein each drawer (2) of the housing (1a) is arranged to lead water from the inlet (4) of the housing (1a) via conduit (4a) to the respective washing compartment(10) arranged therein and, by means of the pump (6)and conduit (5a), to pump air and water out from the respective flexible washing compartment(10) in order to create a pressure difference inside the washing compartment(10) with respect to the surrounding pressure and by that emptying the flexible washing compartment(10) of washing water and air, wherein one or more inflatable outer compartment(s) 10´ is/are arranged to provide pressure on the outside of the washing compartment 10.