Laundry Drum Pre-Wetting and Heating for Efficient Detergent Use

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing laundry washing machine techniques face issues with detergent distribution, leading to inefficient detergent usage, high water consumption, and high electric power consumption due to the method of wetting laundry, which results in incomplete detergent distribution and excessive energy use.

Innovation Solution

A method involving the formation of a washing solution by mixing detergent with water, recirculating it to ensure absorption by the laundry, followed by heating and controlled drum rotation phases to optimize detergent usage and reduce energy consumption, while also incorporating a pre-wetting phase and a separate rinsing phase to enhance cleaning efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If high pressure spray nozzle is used to distribute detergent, then detergent distribution speed is improved, but detergent distribution uniformity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetergent distribution speedVSAvoiddetergent distribution uniformity

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the spray nozzle from the system and replaces it with direct water injection into the drum, eliminating the source of non-uniform distribution while maintaining fast detergent application through direct injection

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces the drum itself as an intermediary medium to distribute the detergent-water mixture uniformly across the laundry through its rotation, replacing the spray nozzle's direct distribution mechanism

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Quantity of substance

If drum rotation is used to distribute liquor, then detergent distribution coverage is improved, but energy consumption deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetergent distribution coverageVSAvoidelectric power consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention performs preliminary action by injecting water directly onto the detergent in the drum before the washing cycle begins, allowing the detergent to dissolve and distribute passively through drum rotation at low speed, rather than requiring high-speed rotation for distribution

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses partial action by employing low-speed drum rotation only sufficient to distribute the pre-injected detergent solution, rather than excessive high-speed rotation that would consume significant energy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Manufacturing precision

If multiple spray stages are used to enhance detergent distribution, then detergent distribution completeness is improved, but cycle time deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetergent distribution completenessVSAvoidwetting phase duration

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The invention achieves continuous useful action by injecting water continuously or in a single sustained phase directly into the drum, allowing detergent to dissolve and distribute continuously throughout the loading phase without interruption for multiple spray stages

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The detergent dissolution and distribution is performed as a preliminary action during the loading phase before the washing cycle begins, eliminating the need for multiple spray stages during the washing cycle itself

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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

This method optimizes detergent usage, reduces water and energy consumption, and ensures more efficient wetting and cleaning of laundry, addressing the inefficiencies of the existing techniques.

Implementation Method 1

recirculating said washing solution inside said washing tub by means of recirculation means until said washing solution is absorbed by said loaded laundry inside said washing drum

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 2

activating heating means for heating said wetted loaded laundry inside said washing drum

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Data Source

PatentUS10648113B2Method for washing laundry in a laundry washing machine and laundry washing machine

Publication Date: 2020.05.12 ELECTROLUX HOME PROD CORP NV

AI summary

A method for washing laundry in a washing machine utilizes a washing tub external to a rotatable washing drum. The method includes providing a quantity of detergent, providing a first quantity of water to form with the detergent a quantity of washing solution, introducing the washing solution into the tub, recirculating the washing solution inside the tub by recirculation until the washing solution is absorbed by the loaded laundry inside the drum and the level of the washing solution is below the drum, activating a heater for heating the wetted loaded laundry inside the drum deactivating the heater and maintaining the heated wetted loaded laundry inside the drum for a predetermined dry maintenance time, supplying a second quantity of water in the tub, rotating the drum, and rinsing the loaded laundry by drum rotations and by liquid drainage from the tub.