Washing Machine Spin Cycle with Desatellization-Based Laundry Redistribution

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional washing machines face inefficiencies in spinning cotton laundry, as increasing drum rotation speed beyond a threshold offers minimal improvement and generates mechanical stress, risking damage while degrading fibers and increasing creasing.

Innovation Solution

A washing machine process involving a first spin phase at maximum speed, followed by slowing down the drum speed below desatellization speed, a stopping phase, a stirring phase to redistribute laundry, and a second spin phase at maximum speed, without increasing overall drum rotation speed, utilizing techniques like adding water or sudden braking to detach laundry from the drum.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the drum rotation speed is increased beyond a threshold to improve spin coefficient, then the spin performance is improved, but mechanical stress on the drum and washing machine increases, risking damage and degradation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespin coefficientVSAvoidmechanical stress resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The washing machine implements periodic action by alternating between high-speed spinning phases and low-speed stirring phases. During high-speed phases, the drum rotates at maximum speed to achieve effective spinning. During low-speed phases, the drum rotates slowly to redistribute laundry and reduce mechanical stress. This periodic alternation allows the system to achieve good spin performance while preventing excessive mechanical stress accumulation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

2Productivity

If the drum rotation speed is increased to improve spin coefficient, then the spinning efficiency is improved, but fiber degradation and creasing of laundry items increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespinning efficiencyVSAvoidfiber degradation
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The periodic alternation between high-speed spinning and low-speed stirring phases allows laundry fibers to rest and redistribute during low-speed phases, preventing continuous high-speed mechanical stress that causes fiber degradation and creasing. This periodic action maintains spinning efficiency while protecting fabric integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

3Productivity

If the drum rotation speed is increased to improve spin coefficient, then the water removal efficiency is improved, but the cost of the washing machine increases due to need for more resistant components

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewater removal efficiencyVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

By using periodic high-speed and low-speed phases, the washing machine achieves effective water removal without requiring components designed for continuous high-speed operation. This reduces the need for expensive high-stress-resistant materials and simplifies manufacturing while maintaining water removal efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

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 process enhances spin performance by up to 5% without additional mechanical stress or cost, ensuring safer operation and quicker drying, meeting environmental standards.

Implementation Method 1

a first spinning phase at a maximum drum rotation speed level; a phase of slowing down the speed of rotation of the drum and said speed of rotation of the drum being less than at least one speed of desatellization of the laundry

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCentrifugal force: Centrifugal Force

Data Source

PatentEP1911869B1Final spin-drying process in a washing cycle of a washing machine
Publication Date: 2016.12.07 GRP BRANDT
  • EP1911869B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP1911869B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The method involves drying clothes at a maximum speed of rotation of a rotative drum during a phase, and decelerating the speed of rotation of the drum, where the speed of rotation of the drum is lower than the speed of de-orbit of clothes. The clothes are dried at the maximum speed of rotation of the drum during another phase. The deceleration of the speed of rotation of the drum is set in work until the speed of rotation of the drum is lower than or equal to the speed of de-orbit of the clothes.