Self-cleaning washing machine
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing self-cleaning washing machines face issues with noise and energy consumption due to freely scattering cleaning particles during the dewatering process, which also lead to ineffective cleaning of tub walls and potential bacterial growth.
Innovation Solution
A self-cleaning washing machine design featuring an accommodating chamber for cleaning particles between the inner and outer tubs, with a shield cover that automatically opens and closes based on water level changes or a control device to control particle flow, preventing particles from entering the space during dewatering and ensuring effective cleaning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If cleaning particles are placed between the inner tub and outer tub to clean the tub walls, then the cleaning effect is improved, but the particles will freely scatter during dewatering causing noise and energy consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The washing machine tub structure is segmented into three distinct spaces: the inner tub, the space between inner and outer tubs, and the outer tub. The cleaning particles are confined to the space between the inner and outer tubs, separated from the inner tub where clothes are placed. This segmentation allows cleaning particles to clean the outer surface of the inner tub without interfering with the dewatering process or causing noise.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning particles are extracted from the main washing chamber and placed in a separate accommodating space between the inner and outer tubs. This extraction prevents the particles from entering the inner tub during dewatering, eliminating the harmful noise and energy consumption while maintaining the cleaning function on the tub walls.
2Reliability
If cleaning particles move freely between inner tub and outer tub to clean walls, then cleaning coverage is improved, but particles may enter inner tub during dewatering affecting washing quality
Solution Approach 1:
A water flow control mechanism acts as an intermediary between the cleaning particle chamber and the inner tub. During washing, water flow carries particles outward to clean the tub walls. During dewatering, the water flow direction is controlled to prevent particles from entering the inner tub, thus protecting washing quality while maintaining cleaning coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the water flow characteristics based on the operational phase. During washing, water flow promotes particle movement for cleaning. During dewatering, the flow characteristics change to contain particles in the accommodating space, preventing contamination of the laundry while maintaining cleaning effectiveness.
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 solution effectively cleans tub walls by allowing cleaning particles to move with water flow during washing while preventing noise and energy inefficiencies during dewatering, maintaining hygiene by preventing bacterial growth.
Implementation Method 1
a shield cover is arranged at the drainage outlet, the shield cover rises or falls with the change of the water level in the washing machine
Implementation Method 2
the water flow drives the silicone balls between the inner tub and the outer tub of the washing machine to move and the walls of the inner and the outer tubs can be continuously collided
Implementation Method 3
the walls of the inner and the outer tubs can be continuously collided
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3
AI summary
A self-cleaning washing machine, the washing machine comprises an outer tub (3) and an inner tub (4), a chamber (5) between the outer tub (3) and the inner tub (4) is provided with cleaning particles (6) for cleaning the inner wall of the outer tub and the outer wall of the inner tub, an accommodating chamber (1) for collecting the cleaning particles is connected to a drainage outlet (31) of the outer tub; a shield cover (2) is arranged at the drainage outlet, the shield cover (2) rises or falls with the change of the water level in the washing machine or the control device to open or at least partially close the drainage outlet (31) so that the cleaning particles (6) are controllably flowing into the chamber or back into the accommodating chamber. By setting the shield cover, the cleaning particles are not sucked out from the accommodating chamber and enter between the inner tub and the outer tub to avoid noise when the washing machine is dewatering.