Simulated hand-wash washing machine

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional washing machines cause fabric damage, fraying, and wear due to aggressive agitation against hard metal drums, leading to increased energy and water consumption.

Innovation Solution

A Simulated-Hand-Wash (SHW) washer mechanism using sixteen robot hands to mimic hand-washing motions within a rubber washer ball, reducing fabric stress and incorporating weight sensors for optimal water usage, along with a modular design for cost-effectiveness and ease of assembly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If conventional washing machines use hard metal drums with aggressive agitation, then washing effectiveness is improved, but fabric damage, fraying, and wear increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewashing effectivenessVSAvoidfabric damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the traditional hard metal drum with a flexible rubber ball that can deform and adapt to the clothes inside. This flexible shell absorbs mechanical shocks and prevents direct impact between clothes and hard surfaces, thereby reducing fabric damage while maintaining washing effectiveness through the elastic deformation of the rubber material.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of using a rigid drum that rotates to agitate clothes, the patent inverts the approach by using a flexible ball that is pushed and pulled by robot hands. The washing action is generated by the interaction between the flexible ball and the clothes, rather than by rotational agitation against a hard surface, thus preventing fabric wear while achieving cleaning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Productivity

If conventional washing machines use high-speed spinning, then water extraction is improved, but wrinkles and disfiguration of clothes increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater extraction efficiencyVSAvoidwrinkles and disfiguration

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible rubber ball allows for gentle compression and relaxation of clothes during the washing process, replacing high-speed spinning. The elastic properties of the rubber enable water extraction through controlled deformation rather than centrifugal force, thereby removing wrinkles and disfiguration while maintaining adequate water removal capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical high-speed spinning system with a robot hand system that pushes and pulls the flexible ball. This substitution eliminates the need for centrifugal force generation through rapid rotation, using instead controlled manual-like motions that are gentler on fabric and prevent wrinkle formation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Productivity

If conventional washing machines use hard surface agitation, then cleaning performance is improved, but energy and water consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning performanceVSAvoidenergy and water consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible rubber ball utilizes its own elastic properties to generate washing action through deformation and recovery, rather than requiring continuous external energy input for high-speed rotation. The ball's material properties enable it to store and release mechanical energy, reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining cleaning effectiveness through repeated compression and expansion cycles.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 SHW washer minimizes fabric damage, reduces energy and water consumption, and provides a cost-effective solution by using less water and electricity while maintaining effective cleaning, with a modular design for easy handling and maintenance.

Implementation Method 1

a spherical washer ball which is made from rubber with reasonable low-force motions created by sixteen (16) robot hands that pull and push similarly to hand washing

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

each of these robot hands, connect onto a plastic plate that has a strong industrial Velcro attachment that attaches to the corresponding Velcro piece on the washer ball

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 3

the two scales with weight sensors. They weigh the loads to adjust correspondent volumes of hot/cold water that should be used for a specific load and wash mode

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravitation: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentUS10563333B2Simulated hand-wash washing machine

Publication Date: 2020.02.18 MILLER KATHERINE THUY

AI summary

This is a new style of simulated hand wash automated washing machine using zigzag-shape robot hands, made by light yet strong metal, that is initiated and facilitated movements by solenoid electric-mechanical linear actuators. The mechanism to transfer the movements from the actuators works similar to the bike mechanism from which transfers the movement onto belts and these belts will pull and push the zigzag-shape robot hands. The movements received by these robot hands on the walls and the floor of the machine shell next are transmitted onto a washer ball made up of sustainable, light, flexible, yet little stretchy type of rubber. There are other benefits from this new style washer that is environmental-friendly, low cost (building, repairing, packaging, shipping, storage, handling, etc.), and more beneficial.