Method and device for the wet treatment, in particular the washing and/or spinning, of laundry batches consisting of a plurality of laundry items
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for wet treatment of laundry batches in commercial laundries are limited by the capacity of washing machines, which restrict the number and quantity of laundry items per batch, impairing cost-efficiency due to the need for loading all items at once.
Innovation Solution
The method involves loading the drum in partial batches, with each batch being loaded stepwise, and using centrifugal force to compact and reduce the volume of laundry items, allowing for larger batches by distributing them in an annular manner within the drum, enabling more efficient use of space and increased capacity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the drum is loaded with all laundry items at the same time, then the loading process is simple and quick, but the number and quantity of laundry items per batch are limited by drum capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The loading process is divided into multiple partial batches instead of loading all items at once. Each partial batch is loaded separately into the drum, allowing the total batch size to exceed the drum's single-loading capacity. This segmentation enables processing larger quantities of laundry while maintaining operational simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
Laundry items are pre-compressed into compact bundles or packages before loading. This preliminary compression reduces the volume of individual items, allowing more items to be loaded into the drum in each partial batch, thereby increasing the overall batch capacity without requiring more complex loading mechanisms.
2Productivity
If laundry items are loaded as loose bulk material, then the loading operation is straightforward, but the volume occupied by laundry items limits the batch size
Solution Approach 1:
The physical state of laundry items is changed from loose bulk material to compressed compact form. By applying compression force to reduce the volume of laundry items while maintaining their integrity, more items can be accommodated in the same drum volume, thereby increasing batch size without requiring a larger drum.
Solution Approach 2:
Compression of laundry items is performed in advance before loading into the drum. This preliminary volume reduction ensures that maximum number of items can be loaded efficiently, and the compacted items maintain their reduced volume during the washing process.
3Area of stationary object
If the drum is loaded to maximum capacity with loose laundry, then space utilization is maximized, but the laundry items cannot be properly distributed and processed
Solution Approach 1:
Laundry items are pre-compressed into compact bundles that maintain their shape and volume during loading. This preliminary compaction allows the drum to be filled more efficiently with properly distributed items, ensuring both high space utilization and good laundry distribution for effective processing.
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 approach allows for larger laundry batches to be processed efficiently, increasing the number of items per batch and improving cost-efficiency by utilizing the drum's space more effectively through stepwise loading and centrifugal compaction.
Implementation Method 1
By driving the drum in rotation, a centrifugal force is exerted on the laundry items of the respective partial batch, which leads to the laundry items, above all the laundry item loaded last into the drum, being distributed in an annular manner on the inner face of the circumference of the drum
Implementation Method 2
Preferably, by driving the drum in rotation, the laundry items forming the ring of laundry are preferably also pressed together, compressed and/or compacted. As a result, the volume of the partial batch which is already located in the drum is reduced
Data Source
AI summary
A method and device for the wet treatment of laundry batches provides to load the drum in a plurality of steps. To this end, the laundry batch is divided into partial batches which are gradually loaded into the drum. In particular, the drum is driven in rotation between successive partial batches at a rotational speed which corresponds to the spinning speed and/or supplies liquid to the partial batches during loading. As a result, the individual partial batches are compacted. Due to this compaction, space is provided for the next partial batch. As a result, the drum can be loaded with larger laundry batches of greater weight. This results in a more cost-efficient wet treatment.