Portable clothes-washing machine
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional washing machines with stationary receptacles rely solely on liquid circulation or agitation for cleaning, limiting portability and efficiency, especially in scenarios without access to residential plumbing systems.
Innovation Solution
A portable electromechanical clothes-washing machine featuring a housing structure with a fluid network and control circuit that manages the flow of clean and gray water, including a rotating agitator and independently powered pumps, allowing for self-contained operation and wireless communication for control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional washing machines use stationary receptacles with liquid circulation or agitation, then cleaning function is achieved, but portability and independence from plumbing systems is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The washing machine is divided into separable components: a portable housing structure containing the fluid network and control circuit, a removable basket structure for garments, and external water source connections. This segmentation enables the core washing mechanism to be transported and installed flexibly without requiring permanent plumbing integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a fluid network as an intermediary system that mediates between external water sources and the washing chamber. This fluid network includes controllable fluid pathways that can connect to various water sources (sink, bathtub, bottle) without requiring direct integration with the housing structure, thereby enabling portability while maintaining washing functionality.
2Adaptability or versatility
If washing machines are made portable without plumbing integration, then portability is improved, but reliable water supply and drainage becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid network incorporates dynamically controllable fluid pathways that can be configured and connected to different water sources based on availability. The system adapts its water supply configuration rather than relying on fixed plumbing connections, maintaining reliability across varying installation environments through flexible connection options.
Solution Approach 2:
The washing machine is designed with universal water connection capabilities that can interface with multiple types of water sources (sinks, bathtubs, bottles, faucets). The fluid network and basket structure are configured to work with various container types and water supply methods, making the system reliable across different portability scenarios without requiring dedicated plumbing.
3Productivity
If portable washing machine uses controlled fluid flow with pumps, then washing efficiency is improved, but device complexity and power requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The washing machine incorporates an agitator that automatically agitates garments within the basket structure during the washing cycle. This self-service agitation mechanism works in conjunction with the fluid network to create effective washing action without requiring complex external agitation systems, improving washing efficiency while keeping the overall system manageable in complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a fluid network with pumps to circulate washing liquid through the basket structure and garments. This hydraulic system provides controlled fluid flow that enhances washing efficiency by ensuring consistent water distribution and removal, while the modular fluid network design keeps the system complexity manageable through standardized components and pathways.
4Ease of operation
If washing machine includes control circuit and wireless communication, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical control with an electronic control circuit that manages the washing machine's operations. This control circuit interfaces with wireless communication capabilities to receive commands and monitor status, eliminating the need for physical switches and manual adjustments. The electronic system improves ease of operation through remote control while managing power consumption through efficient circuit design and selective operation of high-power components like pumps and agitators.
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
Enables efficient cleaning of garments in a portable and self-sufficient manner, independent of external plumbing, with controlled water flow and agitation ensuring thorough cleaning.
Implementation Method 1
a pump, configured to move the water from the water source into the washing machine housing
Implementation Method 2
a rotating agitator... allowing for self-contained operation and wireless communication for control
Data Source
AI summary
The portable clothes-washing machine is an electromechanical device. The portable clothes-washing machine is configured for use with one or more garments. The portable clothes-washing machine cleans the one or more garments. The portable clothes-washing machine comprises a housing structure, a fluid network, and a control circuit. The housing structure contains the fluid network and the control circuit. The control circuit controls the operation of the portable clothes-washing machine. The fluid network handles the flow of clean water and gray water through the portable clothes-washing machine.