Sealed Drum Washer Structure for Hygienic High-Capacity Washing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing drum washing machines face issues with dirt accumulation between the inner and outer drums, reduced washing efficiency due to bacterial growth, and low utilization of inner space, as the inner drum is sleeved within the outer drum, limiting capacity expansion.

Innovation Solution

A drum washing machine design featuring a holeless inner drum that rotates to wash clothes, integrated with a water feeding device and centrifugal valve for leakproof water management, allowing the inner drum to hold water and expand capacity without an outer drum, ensuring efficient washing and dewatering functions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the inner drum is sleeved within the outer drum, then the structure is compact and stable, but dirt accumulates between the drums and bacteria multiply reducing washing efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewashing efficiencyVSAvoiddirt accumulation and bacteria
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention removes the outer drum from the washing machine structure, extracting the problematic space between inner and outer drums where dirt accumulates. The inner drum becomes a sealed container that directly contacts water and clothes, eliminating the hidden corner where bacteria multiply, while maintaining structural stability through direct mounting on the machine body.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention segments the water containment function from the structural support function. The inner drum serves as both the washing chamber and water container, while the machine body provides structural support. This segmentation eliminates the need for an outer drum that created hygiene problems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If the inner drum is sleeved within the outer drum, then the structure is stable, but the washing capacity is limited by the inner drum size

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewashing capacityVSAvoidinner space utilization
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The inner drum is designed to serve multiple functions: it acts as both the washing drum and the water containment vessel. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for a separate outer drum, maximizing the utilization of the available internal space and allowing for larger washing capacity within the same machine footprint.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If the inner drum is made sealed to hold water, then water containment is improved, but water feeding and draining becomes complex due to rotation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewater containmentVSAvoidwater feeding and draining structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention introduces a rotating seal mechanism at the drum end that serves as an intermediary between the rotating inner drum and the stationary water feeding/draining pipes. This seal allows water to be supplied to and drained from the rotating drum without compromising the sealed environment, simplifying the overall water management system compared to traditional outer drum designs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

The design enhances washing efficiency by preventing dirt accumulation, improving cleanliness, and increasing the washing machine's capacity without altering its size, while maintaining leakproofness and effective water handling during rotation.

Implementation Method 1

water in the clothes in the inner drum is discharged to the outer drum through the draining holes when the inner drum rotates at a high speed

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCentrifugal force: Centrifugal Force

Implementation Method 2

a vibration absorption device, the inner side of the outer door is connected with a shaft body through the vibration absorption device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVibration absorption: Damping

Data Source

PatentEP3623512B1Drum washing machine
Publication Date: 2021.11.10 QINGDAO HAIER DRUM WASHING MACHINE CO LTD
  • EP3623512B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3623512B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3623512B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A drum washing machine comprises a machine body (7), a door body, an inner drum (4) and a water feeding device. The inner drum (4) is rotatably arranged in the machine body (7), and holds water in a washing process. A front part of the inner drum (4) is provided with an input port for taking and putting clothes. The door body is mounted at a front part of the machine body (7) corresponding to the input port of the inner drum (4) for opening or closing the input port, and. An end with the input port of the inner drum (4) is hermetically connected with the door body in a relatively rotating manner. The water feeding device includes a first water feeding pipe (24), a water collection sump and a second water feeding pipe; the first water feeding pipe is connected with an external water source, the water collection sump (23) is arranged on the door body and opposite to the first water feeding pipe (24), and the second water feeding pipe (21) is arranged in the door body and communicates the water collection sump (23) with the inside of the inner drum (4). Through the arrangement of the water collection sump (23) on the door body, the fed water of the first water feeding pipe (24) may be collected, thus realizing water feeding of the inner drum (4) and not affecting the normal opening and closing of the door body at the same time.