Spin cycle mobile washer
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Solution Overview
Problem
In areas without reliable electricity, traditional laundry methods are time-consuming and polluting, and existing non-electric washing machines are inefficient in stain removal and water filtration, posing environmental and health risks due to phosphate contamination.
Innovation Solution
A non-electric, centrifugal force-based, paddle-agitated, cart-based washing machine with a bio-sand and steel wool filtration system that uses human leg power to create hydrodynamic shear forces for effective stain removal and filters waste water to reduce phosphate levels, allowing for reuse of grey water.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If traditional hand washing methods are used in areas without electricity, then no electricity is required, but the process is time-consuming (3-6 hours per week) and physically demanding
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual hand-washing mechanical actions with an automated treadle-powered washing machine system. The machine converts human leg motion into rotational motion through a treadle mechanism, which then drives the washing drum and spin cycle components, substituting inefficient hand movements with a more effective mechanical system.
Solution Approach 2:
The washing machine employs dynamic motion cycles including a wash cycle with reciprocating drum movement and a spin cycle with rotational motion. The treadle mechanism converts steady leg pressure into dynamic rotational motion, creating varying forces that enhance washing effectiveness while reducing the time required compared to static hand-washing methods.
2Ease of manufacture
If phosphate-containing detergents are used for washing, then effective cleaning is achieved, but phosphate pollution contaminates groundwater and causes eutrophication
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes phosphates from the washing system by implementing a sand filter that captures phosphate particles from the wash water. The filter separates phosphates from the water stream, preventing their discharge into the environment while allowing the water to be reused for irrigation or other purposes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful phosphate-laden wash water into a beneficial resource by filtering and reusing it for irrigation. The sand filter captures phosphates, and the filtered water is reused for watering plants or fields, transforming a pollutant into a valuable resource and eliminating environmental harm.
3Use of energy by moving object
If non-electric washing machines are designed, then electricity independence is achieved, but existing designs are inefficient in stain removal and water filtration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs mechanical vibration and dynamic motion in the wash cycle to enhance stain removal effectiveness. The reciprocating drum movement creates varying forces and water flow patterns that penetrate fabrics more effectively, removing stains better than static or simple rotational designs while maintaining electricity independence.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses porous sand filter material to improve water filtration effectiveness. The porous structure of the sand filter captures phosphate particles and contaminants from the wash water, providing reliable filtration that exceeds the capabilities of simpler non-electric washing machine designs.
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 washing machine effectively removes stains from clothing using hydrodynamic shear forces and significantly reduces phosphate levels in waste water, enabling water reuse and minimizing environmental impact, while being cost-effective and energy-independent.
Implementation Method 1
By creating a washer that employs human foot/walking power to create the centrifugal and hydrodynamic shear forces needed to wash clothes
Implementation Method 2
a low cost and effective non-electric mobile washer made from repurposed and recycled parts fills a void. By creating a washer that employs human foot/walking power to create the centrifugal and hydrodynamic shear forces needed to wash clothes
Implementation Method 3
A non-electric, centrifugal force-based, paddle-agitated, cart-based washing machine with a bio-sand and steel wool filtration system that uses human leg power to create hydrodynamic shear forces for effective stain removal and filters waste water to reduce phosphate levels
Data Source
AI summary
A spin cycle mobile washer (SCMW) for manually washing laundry comprises a portable, wheeled frame (F) supporting an axle (A) on each end of which is mounted a wheel (W). A shaft (RS) rotatably mounted on the axle rotates as the axle rotates. An inner wash tub (IWC) is mounted on a rotatable disc (RD) to which one end of the shaft is connected for rotation of the shaft to effect rotation of the tub. This tub has a plurality of paddles (P1-P3) attached to an interior surface so to agitate laundry to be cleaned which is loaded into the tub. This tub is fitted inside an outer wash tub (OWC) with the inner wash tub having openings therein by which water flows through and between the tubs for movement of the wheeled frame by a user to affect the cleaning of laundry.