Heated Drum Wall Smoothing for Wrinkle Reduction in Washing Machines
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for dewrinkling laundry in drum-type washing machines are inefficient due to minimal steam absorption by wet laundry, leading to inadequate wrinkle removal and increased complexity and cost with additional steam generation systems.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a washing machine with a heated drum wall and controlled rotation speed during the smoothing cycle, where the laundry slides along the hot drum wall without excessive moisture, allowing for partial evaporation and improved wrinkle reduction, utilizing low speeds for sliding and higher speeds for repositioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If steam is injected into the drum while the drum is rotated, then the dewrinkling effect is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional steam generating means
Solution Approach 1:
The washing machine's existing heating element, originally designed for heating wash liquid, is repurposed to heat the drum wall for dewrinkling. This self-service approach eliminates the need for separate steam generating equipment while achieving the desired dewrinkling effect through direct contact of laundry with the heated drum surface
Solution Approach 2:
The dewrinkling function is extracted from the complex steam generation system and simplified to using only the existing heating element. By taking out the unnecessary steam generation complexity and retaining only the essential heating capability, the system achieves dewrinkling without additional equipment
2Force
If the drum is rotated at high speed to press laundry against the wall, then the laundry is pressed firmly, but existing wrinkles become worse
Solution Approach 1:
The drum rotation speed is dynamically adjusted during the smoothing cycle. The drum is rotated at a first speed to lift and slide laundry down the wall, then at a second higher speed to press laundry against the heated wall for drying. This dynamic speed adjustment prevents wrinkle formation while maintaining the benefits of centrifugal force
Solution Approach 2:
The drum alternates between different rotation speeds during the smoothing cycle, creating periodic action. This includes phases of lifting laundry at lower speeds and pressing against the wall at higher speeds, repeated multiple times to progressively smooth wrinkles without permanently setting them
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the drum rotates at low speed to allow laundry to slide, then wrinkles are reduced, but the drying effect is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The rotation speed parameter is changed during the smoothing cycle. The drum is rotated at a first speed to enable laundry to slide down the heated wall for wrinkle reduction, then at a second higher speed to press laundry against the wall for enhanced drying. This parameter change optimizes both wrinkle removal and drying efficiency
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
Effectively reduces wrinkles through an ironing-like effect without additional steam generation, ensuring all laundry items contact the hot drum wall multiple times, enhancing drying and wrinkle removal.
Implementation Method 1
the moisture present in the laundry evaporates, at least partially, on the hot drum wall
Implementation Method 2
heating the drum wall with a heater during a laundry smoothing cycle
Implementation Method 3
rotating the drum during the smoothing cycle at a first speed so as to lift the laundry in the drum to a height at which the laundry slides down the drum wall
Implementation Method 4
the laundry slides along the hot drum wall
Data Source
AI summary
A method of treating laundry in a washing machine having a substantially rotatable drum disposed in a suds container. The method includes heating the drum wall with a heater during a laundry smoothing cycle and rotating the drum during the smoothing cycle at a first speed so as to lift the laundry in the drum to a height at which the laundry slides down the drum wall.