Impeller Water-Flow Sequencing for Low-Water 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 reliance on centrifugal force and fixed water flow patterns, which lead to increased washing times and potential damage to clothing.
Innovation Solution
A washing method that utilizes a wash tub and impeller with controlled rotation-stop ratios to generate three types of water flows - agitating, enhancing, and balancing flows - to evenly distribute and wash clothing, minimizing intertwining and optimizing cleanliness, while reducing water consumption and detergent usage.
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 becomes intertwined and damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The impeller rotation speed and angle are dynamically adjusted during different phases of the washing cycle. During the water flow generation phase, the impeller rotates at moderate speeds to create effective water circulation without causing excessive clothing intertwining. The system adaptively changes rotational parameters based on washing progress, achieving cleanliness while minimizing damage to clothing.
Solution Approach 2:
The impeller employs periodic rotation with alternating phases of rotation and pause. This periodic action allows water flow to penetrate and disperse clothing intermittently, preventing continuous intertwining while maintaining washing effectiveness. The cyclic rotation pattern creates repeated water flow bursts that clean clothing without sustained mechanical stress that would cause damage.
2Manufacturing precision
If washing liquid is used to submerge fabrics completely to achieve ring-shaped overturn mode, then the washing effectiveness improves, but water consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the impeller to generate dynamic water flow patterns that circulate washing liquid through the clothing load without requiring complete submersion. The hydraulic action of rotating water flow achieves effective washing by directing water through and around fabrics, maintaining washing evenness while using significantly less water than traditional submersion methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The washing method changes the parameter of water quantity from traditional high-level submersion to optimized lower levels combined with enhanced water flow velocity and circulation patterns. By adjusting water flow dynamics parameters rather than increasing water volume, the system achieves effective washing with reduced water consumption.
3Manufacturing precision
If multiple washing cycles are conducted to achieve adequate cleanliness, then the cleanliness improves, but the washing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The impeller maintains continuous rotation during the washing phase to generate sustained water flow that penetrates and cleans clothing throughout the load. This continuous useful action eliminates idle periods between washing cycles, achieving adequate cleanliness in a single extended phase rather than multiple interrupted cycles, thereby reducing total washing time.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary water flow generation and clothing dispersion actions at the beginning of the washing cycle to prevent clothing entanglement before main washing occurs. This preliminary action ensures water can penetrate all clothing surfaces effectively from the start, maximizing washing efficiency and reducing the time needed to achieve target cleanliness levels.
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 minimizing clothing damage and energy consumption through efficient water management and friction distribution.
Implementation Method 1
clothing is washed as a whole. Although water flow has an effect on washing, clothing cannot be dispersed while will be intertwined as a whole
Implementation Method 2
when the washing machine is running, impeller rotates or oscillates to generate ring-shaped water flow, and movement of clothing in the tub depends on fluid motion or fluidic power
Implementation Method 3
impeller rotates or oscillates to generate ring-shaped water flow
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 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.