Impeller Sweeper Structure for Low-Water Laundry Circulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
In vertical axis washing machines with low profile impellers, laundry items often become stuck or move slowly due to reduced mechanical energy, especially in low water wash systems, leading to ineffective cleaning compared to agitator-based machines.
Innovation Solution
The design of impeller vanes extending above the base plate with a sweeper that pulls lodged clothes back towards the center, increasing mechanical energy and allowing effective cleaning in reduced wash liquid conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a low profile impeller is used, then the device complexity is reduced and water level can be lowered, but the mechanical energy imparted to laundry is insufficient causing clothes to become stuck
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extends the impeller vanes vertically above the base plate surface, adding a vertical dimension to the impeller structure. This allows the low profile base plate to still provide sufficient mechanical energy by utilizing the vertical extension of vanes to engage and move laundry items effectively.
Solution Approach 2:
The impeller is segmented into a base plate portion and vertically extending vane portions. This segmentation allows the base plate to remain low profile while the vanes provide the necessary mechanical energy engagement, resolving the contradiction between low profile design and sufficient power delivery.
2Loss of energy
If wash liquid is reduced, then energy efficiency is improved, but laundry items become more likely to become stuck and move slowly
Solution Approach 1:
The sweeper element performs preliminary action by proactively engaging and pulling laundry items away from the periphery before they can become stuck or lodged. This prevents the circulation problem that would otherwise occur in low water conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The sweeper acts as an intermediary element between the impeller and the laundry items at the periphery. It mediates the circulation by pulling clothes back toward the center, ensuring continuous movement even when wash liquid is reduced.
3Productivity
If clothes are pulled back toward the center by the sweeper, then circulation is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sweeper element is merged with the existing impeller structure, extending from the base plate rather than being a completely separate component. This integration minimizes the increase in device complexity while achieving the desired circulation improvement.
Data Source
AI summary
An impeller with vanes extending above the upper surface of the impeller base plate along with a sweeper which extends beyond an outer periphery of the base plate. The sweeper pulls clothes from the basket that may have become stuck or lodged in a wet state back in toward the center of the impeller and in turn pushes them up by the impeller vane design.