Top-Loading Washer Inner Tub Protrusion for Peripheral Water Current
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Solution Overview
Problem
Top-loading laundry machines face inefficiencies in washing due to the pulsator generating water currents mainly at the center of the tub, leaving laundry on the peripheral surfaces unaffected, which decreases washing efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The laundry treatment machine incorporates a water current generating protrusion on the inner tub's peripheral surface and a pulsator that spins in opposite directions, along with a gearbox to ensure even water circulation, allowing the protrusion to create a water current at the upper part of the tub, enhancing washing efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a pulsator is placed on the bottom of the tub to generate water current, then water flow is created at the lower part, but laundry on the peripheral surface is not affected, decreasing washing efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The water current generation function is segmented into two independent components: a pulsator at the bottom for lower part water flow, and a water current generating protrusion on the inner tub for upper part water flow. This segmentation allows each component to target specific zones, ensuring comprehensive coverage of laundry throughout the tub.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention adds a vertical dimension to water current generation by extending the water current generating protrusion upward from the bottom toward the upper part of the tub. This dimensional extension enables the system to address both lower and upper regions, overcoming the limitation of bottom-only water flow generation.
2Productivity
If the pulsator spins to generate water current, then mechanical action is provided, but the current is concentrated at the center, leaving peripheral laundry unaffected
Solution Approach 1:
The water current generating protrusion is positioned specifically on the inner tub's peripheral surface and extends upward to target the upper peripheral region where laundry resides. This local positioning ensures water current is generated precisely where needed, rather than concentrating flow only at the center.
Solution Approach 2:
The water current generation function is divided between the central pulsator and the peripheral water current generating protrusion. This segmentation distributes water flow across different spatial zones (center vs. periphery, lower vs. upper), ensuring comprehensive coverage of the entire laundry load.
3Productivity
If a water current generating protrusion is added to the inner tub, then upper part water current is generated, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The water current generating protrusion is integrated as part of the inner tub structure itself, merging the water current generation function with the existing tub component. This integration avoids adding separate independent mechanisms, thereby minimizing increases in device complexity while achieving enhanced washing performance.
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 configuration ensures even water circulation throughout the tub, reducing washing time and improving efficiency by generating water currents at both upper and lower parts, effectively washing laundry.
Implementation Method 1
a pulsator provided on a bottom surface of the inner tub and generating a current or flow of water in wash water supplied at a lower part of the inner tub
Implementation Method 2
a water current generating protrusion protruding inward from a peripheral surface portion of the inner tub... generating a spinning current of water in wash water supplied at an outer top of the inner tub
Data Source
AI summary
A laundry treatment machine may include an outer tub having an opening at a top through which laundry is inserted. The outer tub may contain wash water for washing the laundry. An inner tub may be rotatably provided inside the outer tub. A pulsator may be rotatably provided at a bottom of the inner tub to generate a current or flow of water flowing at a lower part of the inner tub. A water current generating protrusion that protrudes inward from a peripheral surface of the inner tub and extends upward from a bottom end of the inner tub may generate a current or flow of water flowing along an upper part of the inner tub.