Washing Machine Sub-Washing Unit for Hand-Washing and Water Reuse
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional washing machines are ineffective in removing ingrained dirt or partial stains from clothes and lack a space for hand-washing, requiring additional water for separate hand-washing processes outside the machine.
Innovation Solution
A washing machine design incorporating a sub-washing unit that can be separated from the main washing space, allowing for hand-washing within the machine, with a movable sub-washing unit and a water supply system to manage wash water efficiently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed tub and rotary drum structure is used in conventional washing machines, then the washing machine can perform standard washing cycles, but it cannot provide a space for hand-washing or separate washing of ingrained dirt
Solution Approach 1:
The washing machine is divided into two independent washing spaces: a main washing space with a fixed tub and rotary drum for standard washing cycles, and a sub-washing space with a separable sub-washing unit for hand-washing and treating ingrained dirt. This segmentation allows the machine to perform multiple washing functions simultaneously or separately, resolving the contradiction between versatility and structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The sub-washing unit is designed to be movable and separable from the main washing space. It can be detached when hand-washing is needed and reattached when not needed, allowing the washing machine to dynamically adapt its configuration based on the washing requirements, thus providing versatility without permanent structural complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If hand-washing is performed outside the washing machine, then ingrained dirt can be treated, but additional wash water is required
Solution Approach 1:
The sub-washing space is integrated into the washing machine's water supply and drainage system. Both the main washing space and sub-washing space share the same water sources and discharge systems, allowing wash water to be reused across different washing functions. This merging of water management systems enables hand-washing capability while reducing overall water consumption.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a sub-washing unit is added to enable hand-washing, then washing versatility is improved, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The sub-washing unit is extracted as a separate, modular component that can be independently installed or removed from the main washing machine body. This extraction allows the sub-washing functionality to be added without permanently complicating the main structure, as the unit can be taken out when not needed, maintaining structural simplicity while providing washing space flexibility.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein is a washing machine including a main body having a washing space and an opening through which clothes are inserted and withdrawn into and from the washing space, a door to open and close the opening, and a sub-washing unit to form a sub-washing space separate from the washing space and separably provided from the door. By such configuration, sub-washing may be efficiently performed, and space utilization may be improved.