Impeller Flow Sequencing for Low-Water, Low-Tangle Clothes Washing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing washing machines face challenges with high water and detergent consumption, clothing intertwining, uneven washing, and low cleanliness due to the contradictory goals of high cleanliness and low intertwining rates, leading to damaged clothing and increased washing times.
Innovation Solution
A washing method that uses a wash tub and impeller with controlled rotation-stop ratios to generate three types of water flows - agitating, enhancing, and balancing flows - to evenly disperse and wash clothing, reducing intertwining and improving cleanliness, while minimizing water usage and detergent consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the impeller rotates rapidly at large angles to improve cleanliness, then the cleanliness increases, but the clothing intertwining rate increases and clothing is torn and damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The impeller rotation speed and angle are dynamically adjusted during different washing stages. The control unit varies the rotation parameters based on the washing process requirements, transitioning from rapid large-angle rotation for initial cleaning to slower controlled rotation for preventing intertwining and damage to high-end clothing.
Solution Approach 2:
The washing process employs periodic alternation between different impeller rotation modes. The control unit switches between rapid rotation phases for cleaning and slower rotation phases for preventing damage, creating a periodic action pattern that achieves both high cleanliness and low intertwining rate.
2Manufacturing precision
If washing liquid completely submerges fabrics to achieve ring-shaped overturn mode, then the washing effectiveness improves, but water consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of completely submerging the fabrics with washing liquid, the system uses partial submersion combined with the impeller-generated water flows. The control unit regulates the water flow to achieve effective ring-shaped overturn mode with reduced water quantity, applying partial action sufficient for washing effectiveness without excessive water consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes hydraulic principles by generating controlled water flows through the impeller rotation. The water flow dynamics created by the impeller enable effective clothing overturn and washing action without requiring large quantities of washing liquid to completely submerge the fabrics.
3Manufacturing precision
If large quantity of washing liquid is used to submerge fabrics, then washing effectiveness improves, but detergent consumption increases and water pollution occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies partial action by using reduced quantities of washing liquid and detergent. The control unit regulates the impeller rotation to generate sufficient water flow for effective washing with minimal liquid quantities, avoiding excessive detergent consumption and reducing water pollution.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit changes the operational parameters of the impeller rotation speed and angle to optimize washing effectiveness with reduced water and detergent quantities. By adjusting these parameters, the system achieves effective washing while minimizing harmful environmental impacts.
4Device complexity
If simple fixed movement mode is used during washing, then the system complexity is reduced, but the overturn efficiency of clothing in the tub decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from static to dynamic control by enabling the control unit to adjust impeller rotation speed and angle during washing. This dynamic adjustment creates varied water flow patterns that improve clothing overturn efficiency without significantly increasing system complexity, as it utilizes the existing impeller mechanism with controlled parameter variations.
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 achieves over 90% evenness and 0.85 cleanliness rate, reducing water consumption by 20-40% and detergent usage, while maintaining effective washing and reducing pollution.
Implementation Method 1
water flow generated by centrifugal force generated by inner tub rotation
Implementation Method 2
movement of clothing in the tub depends on fluid motion or fluidic power
Data Source
AI summary
A washing machine contains a wash tub, an impeller and a motor. Clothing is put into the tub and the load is detected. Water is added until the water level is below or equal to the load height. To begin washing, the impeller drives the clothing to overturn, resulting in generating three types of water flows: agitating flow, enhancing flow and balancing flow. At first, the agitating flow breaks the balance of the load to disperse clothing, then the enhancing flow overturns clothing for washing. Finally, the balancing flow maintains the circulation path for the load balance overturning. Single sequential control or repeatedly alternating cycle control of the three types of water flows can be adopted for washing. The invention can save water, improve washing efficiency and avoid intertwining of clothing, characterized by full-range, thorough, repeated and efficient washing.