Spiral Washer Nozzle for Uniform Laundry Wetting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional washing machines with nozzles spray water in the form of coarse particles, leading to inefficient water distribution, poor sanitation, and uneven wetting of laundry due to water being sprayed in one direction and accumulating at the bottom of the tub rather than being directly applied to the laundry.
Innovation Solution
A washing machine design featuring a spiral nozzle that rotates water before spraying it into the drum, utilizing an impingement surface to distribute the water evenly and improve spray performance, even at low water pressure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If water is sprayed through conventional nozzles, then water supply is provided to the drum, but water is sprayed in coarse particles and accumulates at the bottom of the tub instead of being evenly distributed
Solution Approach 1:
The nozzle is divided into multiple spray holes arranged in different directions. Each spray hole sprays water in a specific direction (upward, downward, leftward, rightward) to segment the water flow into multiple fine streams rather than one coarse stream, achieving better water distribution and preventing accumulation at the bottom
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the nozzle have different spray characteristics. The nozzle includes spray holes at various positions (upper, lower, left, right sides) with different orientations, providing locally optimized spray quality for different regions of the drum to ensure even water distribution throughout
2Device complexity
If water is sprayed in one direction through conventional nozzles, then water supply is simplified, but laundry cannot be evenly wetted
Solution Approach 1:
The single-direction spray is segmented into multiple directional sprays. The nozzle contains spray holes oriented in four different directions (upward, downward, leftward, rightward), transforming one simple spray function into four coordinated spray functions that collectively achieve uniform wetting of the laundry
Solution Approach 2:
The spray system transitions from one-dimensional (single direction) to three-dimensional multi-directional spraying. By adding vertical (upward/downward) and horizontal (leftward/rightward) spray components, the system achieves comprehensive coverage in multiple spatial dimensions, ensuring even wetting throughout the drum
3Use of energy by moving object
If water pressure is low, then energy consumption is reduced, but spray performance is rapidly lowered and water is not sprayed directly to the laundry
Solution Approach 1:
The nozzle segments water flow into multiple small streams through numerous spray holes. This segmentation allows low-pressure water to be effectively distributed as fine particles in multiple directions, maintaining spray function even when water pressure is low, as each small stream requires less force to propel
Solution Approach 2:
The nozzle changes the physical parameters of water spray by transforming low-pressure coarse water flow into multi-directional fine particle streams. The geometric configuration of spray holes converts pressure parameters and flow characteristics, enabling effective spraying performance even with reduced water pressure input
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 allows for wider and more uniform water distribution within the drum, ensuring better wetting of laundry and improved sanitation by preventing water accumulation and ensuring even coverage.
Implementation Method 1
a spiral nozzle for rotating supplied water in a predetermined direction and then spraying the water into the drum through a discharge hole
Implementation Method 2
the water discharged from the discharge hole is distributed by impinging on the impingement surface
Data Source
AI summary
A washing machine comprises a casing; a tub disposed inside the casing; a drum rotatably provided inside the tub, for accommodating laundry therein; and a spiral nozzle for rotating supplied water in a predetermined direction and then spraying the water into the drum through discharge hole, wherein the spiral nozzle comprises an impingement surface formed in front of the discharge hole so that the water discharged from the discharge hole is distributed by impinging on the impingement surface.