Top-Mounted Bubble Spray for Faster Washing Machine Bubble Coverage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional washing machines with bubble generators produce small, slow-forming bubbles due to limited air supply, leading to inefficient bubble distribution and difficulty in visually confirming bubble generation, as the bubbles are generated at the lower portion of the machine and flow upward through the drum.
Innovation Solution
A bubble generator system that includes a bubble spray part at the upper side of the tub, a wash liquid jet nozzle, a blowing fan, and a porous plate member with holes, where the wash liquid jetted from the nozzle collides with the porous plate to generate high-expansion bubbles, which are then dispersed and blown downward by the fan, ensuring uniform distribution and easy visual confirmation of bubble generation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a conventional circulation pump and ejector system is used to generate bubbles, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the bubble generation rate is slow and the bubble volume is small due to limited air supply capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the circulation pump to operate at high speed, thereby increasing the air suction capacity of the ejector. This parameter change enables the system to generate large volumes of bubbles rapidly (10 times or more expansion ratio) without modifying the basic pump-ejector structure, thus improving productivity while maintaining relative simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a variable speed control mechanism for the circulation pump, allowing the system to dynamically adjust the pump speed based on washing requirements. This enables the system to switch between different bubble generation rates, optimizing both productivity and energy consumption while maintaining the ability to generate high-volume bubbles when needed
2Productivity
If the bubble generator is disposed in the lower portion of the washing machine, then the structure is compact and easy to install, but the bubble inflow path is long and resistance is large, causing slow infiltration into laundry
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional lower-positioned bubble generator arrangement by placing the bubble generator at the upper portion of the washing machine. This inversion shortens the bubble flow path and reduces flow resistance, enabling bubbles to reach the laundry quickly and efficiently without the need for long upward flow paths through drum holes
3Ease of operation
If bubbles are generated at the lower portion and flow upward through drum holes, then the installation position is convenient, but the bubbles are covered by laundry making it difficult for users to visually confirm bubble generation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the bubble generation position from the lower portion to the upper portion of the washing machine. This allows bubbles to be generated in a visible location where users can directly observe the bubble formation process, eliminating the information loss caused by bubbles being hidden under laundry in the conventional lower-positioned design
4Quantity of substance
If the circulation pump capacity is limited, then the system is compact and energy consumption is low, but the air suction capacity is limited resulting in small bubble volume ratio
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the operational parameters of the circulation pump, specifically increasing the pump speed to enhance the air suction capacity of the ejector. This parameter change enables the system to achieve a high air-to-water volume ratio (10 times or more expansion) while maintaining reasonable energy consumption by operating the existing pump at higher speeds rather than installing a larger capacity pump
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 system generates high-expansion bubbles that uniformly cover the laundry, enhancing cleaning efficiency and allowing users to easily verify bubble generation due to the upward spray mechanism.
Implementation Method 1
when the wash liquid jetted from the wash liquid jet nozzle collides with the porous plate member, bubbles are generated
Implementation Method 2
when the wash liquid jetted from the wash liquid jet nozzle collides with the porous plate member, bubbles are generated
Implementation Method 3
a blowing fan provided in the bubble spray part and configured to blow air in a direction in which the wash liquid jet nozzle jets the wash liquid
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 4
AI summary
A washing machine having a bubble generator includes a bubble spray part provided at an upper side of a tub and configured to discharge bubbles from a top to a bottom inside the tub; a wash liquid jet nozzle provided inside the bubble spray part and configured to jet wash liquid; a blowing fan provided in the bubble spray part and configured to blow air in a direction in which the wash liquid jet nozzle jets the wash liquid; and a porous plate member provided at a front end of the bubble spray part and including a plurality of holes, wherein when the wash liquid jetted from the wash liquid jet nozzle collides with the porous plate member, bubbles are generated.