Laundry treatment machine with a spraying unit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing laundry treatment appliances require complex maintenance processes, as spray units are often integrated in a way that makes cleaning and replacement difficult without disassembling other components.
Innovation Solution
A modular spray unit design with a non-destructively detachable nozzle unit and holding unit, allowing for easy access and maintenance without disassembling the appliance's front wall, combined with a water tank system for efficient water management and filtration, reducing energy consumption by atomizing water at ambient temperature.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the spray unit is integrated into the appliance structure, then the appliance structure is compact and stable, but the maintenance effort and complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The spray unit is divided into separate modular components: a spray head assembly with nozzle, a holder unit, and a water supply connection. This segmentation allows the spray head to be easily detached and replaced for maintenance without disassembling the entire appliance, resolving the contradiction between compact integration and ease of repair.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection between the spray head and holder unit is designed to be dynamically changeable - firmly connected during operation but easily detachable during maintenance. The bayonet-style connection mechanism allows quick attachment and detachment, enabling the system to switch between integrated and separated states based on operational needs.
2Ease of operation
If the nozzle unit is made accessible from the front, then maintenance access is simplified, but the appliance structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The spray head is extracted as a separate, independently accessible component that can be removed from the front of the appliance without disassembling the door or other structural elements. This extraction maintains the compact appliance structure while providing direct front access for maintenance.
3Use of energy by moving object
If water is atomized at ambient temperature, then energy consumption is reduced, but the effectiveness of odor reduction and fabric smoothing may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces thermal energy input with mechanical energy input - using a high-pressure pump to atomize water at ambient temperature instead of heating water to generate steam. The mechanical pressurization system creates fine water mist that achieves the desired fabric smoothing and odor reduction effects without energy-intensive heating.
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
Simplifies maintenance and reduces energy consumption by allowing for easy cleaning and replacement of spray components, while ensuring effective odor reduction and fabric smoothing without heating, thus lowering operational costs.
Implementation Method 1
atomizing water at ambient temperature
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a spray unit (13) for spraying a spray mist into a washing drum of a laundry treatment device (1). In order to simplify and reduce the effort required for the maintenance of the laundry treatment device (1), the spray unit (13) has a holding unit (25) that can be connected to a bearing plate (2) of the laundry treatment device (1) and a nozzle unit (26) that can be detachably connected to the holding unit (25) without damage, wherein the nozzle unit (26) has a nozzle section (36) with at least one nozzle opening (37), on the outer surface of which a drive contour (38) is formed.