Method and device for washing laundry
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Solution Overview
Problem
Washing machines and washer-driers have high water, electric energy, and detergent consumption during both washing and drying steps, necessitating a method to reduce these resources without compromising efficiency.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a method that includes a recovery tank to recycle and reuse a portion of water from previous wash cycles, where mains water is loaded into the wash tank for multiple cycles, with heating and rinsing steps, and the recovered water is reintroduced, along with using a control unit to manage the recycling and heating processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If mains water is loaded into the wash tank for each wash cycle, then washing efficiency is maintained, but water consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a water recovery system that collects and stores water from previous wash cycles in a recovery tank. This recovered water is then reused in subsequent wash cycles, directly reducing the amount of fresh mains water that needs to be loaded into the wash tank while maintaining adequate water levels for effective washing.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary water recovery and storage actions during and after wash cycles. By recovering water in advance and storing it in the recovery tank before it is needed for the next cycle, the system ensures that water is already available when needed, maintaining washing efficiency without requiring full fresh water loading each time.
2Reliability
If heating means are activated to heat water in the wash tank, then washing quality is improved, but electric energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the temperature parameter of the water by activating heating means when washing quality requires warm water. The control unit monitors wash cycle requirements and activates heating only when necessary, adjusting the water temperature parameter to match the specific washing needs rather than maintaining constant heating.
Solution Approach 2:
The system extracts only the necessary heating action from the water treatment process. Instead of continuously heating water or heating excess water, the control unit determines the precise heating requirement based on cycle type and water volume, applying heating only to the extent needed for achieving washing quality objectives.
3Loss of substance
If a recovery tank is added to recycle water, then water consumption is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The water management system is segmented into distinct functional components: the wash tank for active washing, the recovery tank for water storage, and the control unit for coordination. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently, with the recovery tank handling storage and the control unit managing the logic, thereby reducing overall system complexity through functional separation.
Solution Approach 2:
The recovery tank serves multiple functions: storing recovered water, maintaining water supply for subsequent cycles, and working in conjunction with the control unit to manage water levels. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate systems for each task, achieving water conservation without proportionally increasing device complexity.
4Loss of energy
If the control unit manages recycling and heating processes, then resource efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit implements feedback mechanisms by monitoring water levels in both the wash tank and recovery tank, as well as tracking heating requirements. Based on this feedback, the control unit automatically activates water transfer pumps or heating elements only when needed, optimizing resource efficiency through data-driven decision-making rather than continuous operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit enables the washing system to self-manage its water and energy resources. By automatically determining when water transfer or heating is required based on sensor input and pre-programmed logic, the system serves itself without requiring external intervention or complex manual control, achieving resource efficiency through automated self-management.
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 approach significantly saves water and electric energy by utilizing recovered water at room temperature or increased temperature, reducing detergent consumption, and maintaining washing efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
activating the heating means to heat the water in the wash tank
Implementation Method 2
heating the recovered water before its reintroduction into the wash tank
Data Source
Figure 1~5
Figure 6~7
Figure 8
AI summary
A washing machine (1) comprises a laundry basket (5) inside a wash tank (3), heating means (11), a loading system (6,7) suitable for supplying mains water into the wash tank (3), a discharge system (9,10) suitable for discharging the liquid contained in the wash tank (3), a control unit (14) with a program selector configured so as to automatically carry out a washing program, a recovery tank (15) separate from the wash tank (3) and suitable for containing a portion of recovered liquid, recycling means (16,17) that introduce, during one of the steps of the washing program, the portion of recovered liquid from the recovery tank (15) into the wash tank (3), and recovering means (18,19) that, after at least one wash cycle step, convey a portion of liquid used during the wash cycle from the wash tank (3) into the recovery tank (15).