Sink-Type Washing Machine Drain Board Layout for Pump Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sink-type washing machines face issues with food residues entering the water pump, excessive water consumption, and heat loss, which affect efficiency and environmental sustainability.
Innovation Solution
A sink-type washing machine design featuring a recessed drain region with a drain board and a water pump isolated from the washing space, a dual-layer glass cover plate for heat retention, and a sealing mechanism to prevent water sputtering, along with a rotary spray arm and a motor-driven pump system that filters water before recirculation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the water pump is placed in the washing region to spray water, then the washing function is improved, but food residues enter the pump reducing its service life
Solution Approach 1:
The sink bottom is segmented into a washing region and a drain region, with the water pump placed in the drain region rather than the washing region. The drain board with drain holes separates these regions, allowing water to flow from the washing region to the drain region where the pump is located, thus protecting the pump from food residues while maintaining washing functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The drain board acts as an intermediary component between the washing region and the water pump. It allows water to pass through its drain holes from the washing region to the drain region, enabling the pump to receive water for spraying without being directly exposed to food residues in the washing region
2Reliability
If the entire sink bottom is used as water supplementation region, then water supply to pump is ensured, but water consumption and detergent usage increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using the entire sink bottom as water supplementation region, only a localized drain region at the center of the sink bottom is designated for water supplementation. The drain board covers this specific region with drain holes, concentrating the water supplementation function in a small area rather than requiring water across the entire sink bottom, thus reducing overall water and detergent consumption
3Ease of operation
If the sink is opened for washing, then access to washing space is provided, but heat is lost and safety issues arise
Solution Approach 1:
A transparent cover plate is used to seal the washing space when not in use. The transparent material allows visual observation of the washing process while maintaining the sealed environment, preventing heat loss and eliminating safety hazards associated with open hot water, while still providing easy access when needed
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 effectively prevents food residues from entering the water pump, reduces water consumption, enhances user safety by preventing water sputtering, and improves energy efficiency through heat retention and reduced detergent usage.
Implementation Method 1
a water pump disposed inside the drain region for pumping the water in the drain region, the water pump having a flow channel
Implementation Method 2
a rotary spray arm with a plurality of water outlets disposed above the drain board, the plurality of water outlets being in communication with the flow channel in the water pump
Data Source
AI summary
A sink-type washing machine includes a case, a drain board, a water pump and a rotary spray arm; the case includes a sink body and a cover plate; the sink body has a recess which forms a drain region, the water pump is inside the drain region, the drain board covers the drain region, the rotary spray arm is above the drain board, water outlets being in communication with the flow channel in the water pump so that water in the drain region can be sprayed into the washing space and above the drain region. A drain board covers the drain region and a water pump is disposed inside the drain region, the water pump is isolated from the washing region by the drain board, so that the water flowing back to the water pump is firstly filtered by the drain board.