Washing Machine Water Routing Using Gravity Buffer Backflow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Domestic washing machines and washer-dryers have complex and expensive hydraulic structures with an undesirably high number of electric valves, which increases manufacturing costs and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A water conducting system with a first supply electric valve and a conduit system that includes a main conduit and a secondary conduit branching transversely, utilizing an electronic control system to manage the supply of water, allowing for the controlled supply of multiple conduits with a reduced number of electric valves and outlets.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple electric valves with multiple outlets are used to supply water to various functions, then the water supply control capability is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The single electric valve is designed to perform multiple functions by sequentially supplying water to different outlets. The valve can switch between supplying water to the prewash conduit, wash conduit, fabric softener conduit, heat exchanger conduit, and steam generator conduit, making one component perform the work of multiple valves.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system operates the single electric valve in periodic cycles, opening and closing the valve at different time intervals to supply water to different outlets according to the washing machine's operational requirements. This temporal multiplexing allows one valve to control multiple water supply paths.
2Reliability
If multiple electric valves are used to control different water supply paths, then the reliability of water supply control is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
By designing a single electric valve to handle multiple water supply functions, the manufacturing cost is reduced while the control system maintains reliability through programmed sequential operation. The valve's multiple outlets are controlled by a microprocessor that ensures proper timing and sequencing.
Solution Approach 2:
The microprocessor control system acts as an intermediary between the single electric valve and multiple water outlets, coordinating the valve's operation to maintain reliable water supply control. The control system manages the timing and sequencing to ensure each outlet receives water at the appropriate time.
3Device complexity
If a single electric valve supplies multiple outlets, then the device complexity is reduced, but the control precision and timing accuracy may worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The microprocessor control system monitors and controls the timing of the electric valve operation with precision, using programmed sequences to ensure accurate water supply timing to each outlet. The control system can detect and respond to operational conditions to maintain timing accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces multiple mechanical valves with a single electrically controlled valve, using electronic control signals to achieve precise timing and sequencing. The electric actuation provides more accurate and consistent timing control compared to mechanical valve 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 enables the supply of a greater number of conduits and functions with fewer hydraulic components, reducing manufacturing costs and system complexity.
Implementation Method 1
one or more flow interruption intervals, wherein, due to the effect of gravity, a back-flow is established from the first buffer container section through the first branching section into the first secondary conduit to supply the first secondary flow
Data Source
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AI summary
A water conducting system (1) with a first electric valve (3) having a valve outlet (6), a main conduit (8) connected to the valve outlet (6) to receive a main flow (9), a secondary conduit (10) branching from the main conduit (8), to receive a secondary flow (12), a buffer container section (13) formed in the main conduit (8) downstream of the branching in a buffer position (14) higher than the secondary conduit (10), an electronic control system (15) controlling and switching the supply valve (3) to an OFF mode without supply of the valve outlet (6), to a main mode, in which it continuously supplies the valve outlet (6) to supply a main use (16) downstream of the buffer container section (13), and to a secondary mode, in which it intermittently supplies the valve outlet (6) with flow intervals alternating with interruption intervals, to partially fill the buffer container section first and then empty it due to the effect of gravity in the opposite direction, through the branching, into the secondary conduit (10) to supply the secondary flow (12) towards a secondary use (17).