Ribless Drum Pendulum Movement for Low-Energy Laundry De-Creasing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing washing machine methods are energy-intensive and inefficient in minimizing creasing of laundry, as they require high temperatures and long exposure times to achieve de-creasing, leading to significant energy expenditure and prolonged ironing efforts.
Innovation Solution
The method involves a pre-ironing phase using a ribless drum with a pendulum movement and steam, where the drum is temporarily untouched by the laundry, allowing it to float and reduce crease formation, with the control device adjusting the pendulum rhythm based on laundry type and moisture, using a low steam temperature of <50°C to minimize energy consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If high temperatures and long exposure times are used for de-creasing laundry, then the degree of creasing is significantly reduced, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the temperature parameter from high temperature to low temperature (<50°C) and modifies the exposure time parameter by using repeated short exposure times during pendulum movements instead of one long continuous exposure. This resolves the contradiction by achieving de-creasing效果 with lower energy consumption while maintaining effectiveness through multiple exposure cycles
Solution Approach 2:
The invention applies periodic action by repeatedly exposing laundry to steam during pendulum movements in short intervals rather than continuous exposure. The drum alternates between movement phases (creating floating state) and steam exposure phases, achieving cumulative de-creasing效果 with reduced total energy consumption compared to continuous high-temperature exposure
2Manufacturing precision
If the drum is stationary or rotates slowly, then laundry remains in contact with the drum surface causing creases, but energy saving is achieved; however, this fails to prevent crease formation
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies dynamics by using pendulum movements that create periodic changes in laundry contact with the drum surface. The drum alternates between touching and non-touching states, preventing sustained contact creases while consuming less energy than continuous rotation. The dynamic switching between contact and floating states optimizes both crease prevention and energy efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses steam as a counterweight force to counteract gravity's effect on laundry. The steam creates upward buoyant force and floating effect that prevents laundry from settling and creasing on the drum surface during pendulum movements, achieving crease prevention without requiring the drum to maintain constant rotation against gravity
3Productivity
If ribs or laundry lifters are added to the drum, then laundry is lifted and moved effectively, but crease formation increases due to contact with drum surface
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and removes the ribs or laundry lifters from the drum surface, creating a smooth ribless drum. This extraction eliminates the source of contact creases while the pendulum movement mechanism provides sufficient laundry movement and redistribution without requiring mechanical lifting elements that would cause creasing
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses steam (pneumatic element) to facilitate laundry movement and floating instead of mechanical ribs. The steam flow creates pneumatic forces that lift and move laundry items through the drum during pendulum movements, achieving effective laundry circulation without mechanical contact that would cause creases
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 reduces crease formation while minimizing energy use, allowing laundry to be wearable again quickly with reduced ironing effort, optimizing the washing process by minimizing lying times and using a barrier-free drum design.
Implementation Method 1
The steam can flow through the laundry and keep it suspended
Implementation Method 2
the drum is set into a right-left pendulum movement with the aid of the motor
Implementation Method 3
the laundry is decreased by being exposed to steam
Implementation Method 4
The use of steam further promotes the de-creasing of the laundry, allowing the laundry to relax on a warm air stream
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for operating an automatic washing machine comprising an outer tub (1) for receiving water, a rib-free drum (2) which is rotatably mounted in the outer tub (1) for receiving laundry (8), a motor (3) for driving the drum (2), and a control or regulating device (4). The method has a pre-ironing phase (Vb) for pre-ironing the laundry (8) located in the drum (2), wherein vapor is conducted into the drum (2), and the drum (2) is displaced in a right-left pendular movement using the motor (3), the pendular rhythm of said movement being controlled or regulated by the control or regulating device (4) such that the drum (2) is at least temporarily not in contact with the laundry (8). The invention also relates to a corresponding automatic washing machine.