Independent Pulsator and Blade Drive for Better Water Circulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional washing machines face issues with low detergent solubility, slow fabric soaking, excessive water usage, limited washing force due to pulsator design, and increased wear and cost from separate drive motors for pulsator and blade structures, leading to inefficient washing performance and higher production costs.
Innovation Solution
A washing machine design featuring a pulsator and blade that rotate independently with different rotational speeds, powered by a single drive motor, using a power transmission unit with planetary gears to adjust rotational speeds and reduce wear, while minimizing water usage and enhancing detergent dissolution and fabric soaking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a separate circulation pump is provided to pump wash water to the upper portion of the washtub, then washing performance is improved through better water circulation, but production costs increase and control operation becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the circulation pump function with the existing drive motor by integrating a circulation blade into the pulsator assembly. The drive motor simultaneously drives both the main pulsator and the circulation blade, eliminating the need for a separate pump motor and control system. This merging approach maintains effective water circulation while reducing device complexity and production costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The drive motor is designed to perform multiple functions: it drives the main pulsator for primary washing action and simultaneously drives the circulation blade for water circulation. This multi-functionality allows a single motor to replace what would traditionally require separate motors, simplifying control operation while maintaining washing performance.
2Productivity
If a separate circulation pump is provided, then washing performance is improved, but production costs increase due to additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The circulation pump function is merged with the pulsator assembly by integrating the circulation blade into the existing structure. This eliminates the need for separate pump components, reducing part count, simplifying assembly, and lowering production costs while maintaining the water circulation function necessary for washing performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The drive motor is designed as a universal motor that performs multiple functions: driving the main pulsator and simultaneously driving the circulation blade. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for additional motors and associated components, directly reducing production costs while maintaining washing performance.
3Force
If the pulsator rotates at high speed to create water streams, then washing force is improved, but detergent dissolution and fabric soaking become slower
Solution Approach 1:
The circulation blade is designed to create periodic water circulation patterns that alternately spray water onto the fabric and allow water to drain back. This periodic action enhances both the mechanical washing force and the detergent dissolution process by repeatedly wetting and agitating the fabric, reducing the time required for effective washing.
Solution Approach 2:
The circulation blade acts as an intermediary element that takes the rotational energy from the drive motor and converts it into a specific water circulation pattern. This intermediary mechanism ensures that water is effectively distributed throughout the drum, promoting both washing force and detergent dissolution simultaneously rather than requiring conflicting rotation speeds.
4Productivity
If a separate circulation pump is provided, then water circulation is improved, but the system requires additional control operations
Solution Approach 1:
The circulation pump function is merged with the drive motor system, eliminating the need for separate control circuits and control operations. The single drive motor controls both the main pulsator and circulation blade through integrated mechanical coupling, simplifying the control system to a single motor control operation while maintaining effective water circulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The drive motor is designed as a universal motor that performs multiple functions through a single control system. It simultaneously drives the main pulsator and the circulation blade, meaning that a single control operation controls water circulation in addition to primary washing action, eliminating the need for additional control operations that would be required for a separate pump system.
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 improves detergent dissolution, fabric soaking efficiency, and washing performance with reduced water consumption and lower operational costs by optimizing the rotational speeds of the pulsator and blade using a single drive motor, while minimizing wear and water usage.
Implementation Method 1
a blade installed below the pulsator and rotatable independently from the pulsator, the blade being configured to pump wash water to raise the wash water to an upper end of the inner tub assembly
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein is a washing machine including an inner tub assembly for accommodating laundry, a pulsator rotatably provided to an inner lower portion of the inner tub assembly, a blade installed at a lower portion of the pulsator to be rotatable independently from the pulsator, the blade being configured to pump wash water to raise the wash water to an upper end of the inner tub assembly, a drive motor for providing rotational power to the pulsator and the blade, and a power transmission unit for transmitting power of the drive motor to the pulsator and the blade, respectively.