Pivoting Scooping Member Impeller for Bidirectional Washing Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing laundry washing machines with rotating wash drums and impellers face challenges in effectively separating dirt from clothes due to limitations in fluid flow and friction, which affect cleaning efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a rotating impeller with scooping members that pivot between different positions to create varying fluid pathways, directing fluid from beneath the impeller upward and changing directions with rotational direction, enhancing fluid flow and friction for improved cleaning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a rotating impeller is used to generate washing water flow, then cleaning efficiency is improved through friction between water flow and clothes, but the impeller twists back and forth reducing fluid flow effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The scooping members are designed to pivot dynamically between positions based on the rotational direction of the impeller. This dynamic adjustment allows the impeller to maintain effective fluid flow characteristics during bidirectional rotation, resolving the contradiction between cleaning efficiency and rotational stability by adapting the structure to the changing operational conditions.
2Productivity
If scooping members pivot between different positions to create varying fluid pathways, then fluid flow and friction are enhanced for improved cleaning, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The scooping members utilize the rotational motion of the impeller itself to pivot between positions, rather than requiring separate actuation mechanisms. The impeller's rotation automatically positions the scooping members to create the appropriate fluid pathways, enhancing cleaning efficiency while avoiding additional complexity from external control systems.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the impeller rotates in opposite directions to handle different washing phases, then versatility is improved, but fluid flow characteristics become inconsistent
Solution Approach 1:
The scooping members are positioned asymmetrically relative to the impeller rotation, allowing them to pivot to different positions depending on the rotational direction. This asymmetric design ensures that effective fluid pathways are created during both clockwise and counter-clockwise rotation, maintaining fluid flow consistency and versatility across different washing 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
This design enhances cleaning efficiency by increasing fluid flow, mixing detergent and water, and mechanical action, while reducing wear on clothing and maintaining performance across different rotational directions.
Implementation Method 1
the opening may define a first fluid pathway from the bottom surface to the top surface and wherein in the second position the opening may define a second fluid pathway different from the first fluid pathway
Implementation Method 2
generates the washing water flow to separate dirt from the clothes by friction between the water flow above the impeller and/or the clothing
Data Source
AI summary
An impeller for a laundry washing machine having one or more scooping members. The one or more scooping member may include a variety of positions relative to the impeller. The one or more scooping members may pivot to one or more positions to direct or lift fluid. The one or more scooping members may define one or more fluid pathways.