Top-Loading Washer Water Ejection to Remove Door and Drum Impurities
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional top-loading laundry treatment apparatuses face issues with impurities and bubbles remaining on the door and drum surfaces, leading to incorrect user perceptions of incomplete washing and reduced efficiency, due to the close proximity of the introduction aperture and drum, which restricts volume and increases the likelihood of contaminants sticking to laundry.
Innovation Solution
The laundry treatment apparatus incorporates a washing unit that utilizes centrifugal force to eject water towards the door and drum surfaces, featuring inclined discharge holes and guides to effectively remove impurities and bubbles, along with an ejection unit that directs water in multiple directions to clean the drum's interior and exterior surfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the distance between the introduction aperture and the upper end of the drum is reduced to minimize apparatus volume, then the apparatus can wash very small amounts of laundry and fit under main laundry treatment apparatuses, but impurities and bubbles generated during washing remain on the door and drum surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the harmful factor (impurities and bubbles) from the door and drum surfaces by introducing a water stream through the ejection unit that actively removes these contaminants during the washing cycle, preventing them from remaining on surfaces despite the close proximity of the introduction aperture to the drum
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces water as an intermediary substance through the ejection unit to mediate between the washing process and the door/drum surfaces. This water stream acts as a cleaning agent that prevents impurities and bubbles from adhering to surfaces, resolving the issue caused by the minimal distance between components
2Length of stationary object
If the height of the tub and drum is reduced in auxiliary laundry treatment apparatuses, then the apparatus can be positioned under main laundry treatment apparatuses, but the distance between the introduction aperture and drum upper end becomes very small, causing impurities to remain on the door
Solution Approach 1:
The ejection unit extracts impurities and bubbles from the door surface by directing a water stream onto the door during washing, actively removing contaminants that would otherwise remain due to the reduced height and minimal distance between the introduction aperture and drum
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary cleaning action by ejecting water onto the door and drum surfaces during the washing cycle, preventing impurities from adhering in the first place rather than requiring post-washing cleaning, which is especially important given the constrained geometry of auxiliary apparatuses
3Volume of moving object
If bubbles and contaminants remain on the door and drum after washing, then users may erroneously determine washing is incomplete or suspect apparatus failure, but reducing apparatus volume to minimize space usage prevents adequate water circulation for cleaning
Solution Approach 1:
Water serves as an intermediary cleaning agent ejected onto the door and drum surfaces, ensuring they remain free of bubbles and contaminants throughout the washing cycle. This maintains visual clarity for users to observe proper washing operation, preventing erroneous perceptions of incomplete washing or apparatus failure despite the compact volume
Solution Approach 2:
The apparatus performs self-cleaning of its own surfaces (door and drum) through the ejection unit that directs water onto these surfaces during operation. This self-service cleaning function ensures surfaces remain free of impurities without requiring separate cleaning mechanisms, maintaining user confidence in proper operation within the constrained volume
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 design ensures that impurities and bubbles are removed from the door and drum surfaces during rotation, preventing re-deposition on laundry and enhancing washing efficiency by providing a clear indication of completion and maintaining cleanliness.
Implementation Method 1
a washing unit configured to eject at least some water moved toward the tub cover to the door using centrifugal force generated while the drum is rotated
Data Source
AI summary
A laundry treatment apparatus includes, a tub body configured to store water, a tub cover configured to define an upper surface of the tub body, an introduction aperture defined through the tub cover, a supply aperture provided in the tub cover, and configured to enable supply of water into the tub body, a drum that is rotatably provided in the tub body, and that is configured to receive laundry, the drum including an opening in communication with the introduction aperture, a door configured to open and close the introduction aperture, and an ejection unit configured to eject water introduced into the supply aperture to the drum, the ejection unit being configured to eject water in at least two different directions.