Laundry Drum Wetting Cycle for Mixed-Load Dye Transfer Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Residential laundry settings face challenges in preventing dye transfer between fabric items during washing, as existing methods require sorting by color and type, which is time-consuming and inefficient, and consumers lack control over fabric treatments that minimize dye bleeding.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a laundry cycle that includes pre-wetting and redistributing laundry at specific speeds to form an annulus, followed by recirculating liquid through the laundry, using dye fixatives and absorbers to inhibit dye transfer, allowing for unsorted loads to be washed with minimal dye transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If laundry items are sorted by color and type before washing, then dye transfer between items is prevented, but the washing process becomes time-consuming and inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by treating the laundry load with dye fixatives and absorbers before the main wash cycle begins. The pre-wetting phase distributes these chemicals throughout the load, allowing them to bind excess dye and prevent transfer during subsequent washing, eliminating the need for time-consuming manual sorting while still preventing dye transfer
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediary substances (dye fixatives and dye absorbers) that act as mediators between dyed fabric items. These chemicals bind to excess loose dye, preventing it from transferring between items during washing. This intermediary approach allows mixed-color loads to be washed together without dye transfer, resolving the contradiction between preventing dye transfer and avoiding sorting time
2Productivity
If laundry is washed without sorting, then washing efficiency is improved, but dye transfer between differently dyed items occurs
Solution Approach 1:
Dye absorbers act as intermediaries that selectively bind to loose dye molecules in the wash water, preventing them from depositing on fabric surfaces. This allows unsorted, mixed-color loads to be washed together at high efficiency while the absorbers continuously remove free dye from the wash environment
Solution Approach 2:
The washing system performs self-service by automatically distributing dye fixatives and absorbers throughout the load during the pre-wetting phase, and by using the wash water itself as the medium for recirculating these chemicals. This automated approach maintains high washing efficiency while preventing dye transfer without requiring manual intervention for sorting
3Object-affected harmful factors
If high-speed rotation is used to form annulus and recirculate liquid, then dye transfer is minimized, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses periodic action by alternating between different rotation speeds during the wash cycle. The drum rotates at high speed to form the annulus and recirculate liquid for dye prevention, then reduces speed for other wash phases. This periodic variation in rotation speed achieves effective dye transfer prevention while minimizing overall energy consumption compared to continuous high-speed operation
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters (rotation speed) dynamically during the wash cycle. By adjusting the rotation speed parameter to match the specific phase requirements - high speed only when annulus formation is needed for chemical distribution - the system achieves effective dye prevention during critical phases while reducing energy consumption during other phases
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 effectively minimizes dye transfer between fabric items and surfaces, enabling efficient washing of mixed loads without the need for extensive sorting, ensuring fabric integrity and reducing the risk of dye bleeding.
Implementation Method 1
rotating the treating chamber to a satellizing speed to form an annulus of laundry within the treating chamber
Implementation Method 2
spraying liquid onto the annulus while the treating chamber is being rotated at a first satellizing speed
Implementation Method 3
rotating the treating chamber to a second satellizing speed to form an annulus of laundry, and, while the treating chamber is rotated at the second satellizing speed, recirculating the liquid through the laundry
Data Source
AI summary
A method for wetting laundry in a laundry treating appliance having a rotatable treating chamber in which laundry is received for treatment according to an automatic cycle of operation comprises forming an annulus of laundry within the treating chamber prior to wetting the laundry, spraying liquid onto the annulus while the treating chamber is being rotated, after the formation of the annulus, redistributing the laundry, after the redistributing, rotating the treating chamber to form an annulus of laundry, and, while the treating chamber is rotated, recirculating the liquid through the laundry.