Wash Basket Fins for Pump-Free Fluid Recirculation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional washing machines consume excess water and have inefficient electrical pumps for recirculating fluid, increasing costs and reducing energy efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A wash basket with radially projecting fins that uses gravity-assisted fluid recirculation through a conduit from the bottom to the top of the wash tub, eliminating the need for a dedicated pump.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If an electrical pump is used to pump wash fluid from the bottom to the top of the wash chamber, then wash fluid can be delivered to the top for soaking articles, but the overall cost of the washing machine increases and energy efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the electrical pump from the system by using the rotation of the wash basket itself to generate centrifugal force that naturally circulates the wash fluid from the bottom to the top of the wash chamber, thereby reducing device complexity and energy consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The wash basket's rotation serves a dual function: both washing the articles and automatically circulating the wash fluid through centrifugal force, making the system self-sufficient without requiring an external pump
2Loss of energy
If wash fluid is pumped to the top of the wash chamber using a dedicated electrical pump, then fluid recirculation is achieved, but the washing machine consumes more electrical energy
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses dynamic centrifugal force generated by the rotating wash basket to move wash fluid upward, replacing the static electrical pump system with a dynamic, energy-efficient fluid circulation mechanism
Solution Approach 2:
The invention utilizes hydraulic principles where centrifugal force created by rotation generates pressure to move wash fluid through the chamber without mechanical pumping components
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 conserves water and reduces energy consumption by efficiently recirculating fluid without the need for an electrical pump, enhancing the overall efficiency of the washing machine.
Implementation Method 1
The wash basket is rotated, and wash fluid that is pumped to the top of the wash chamber is then directed (e.g., sprayed or drizzled) onto the articles in the wash chamber below
Implementation Method 2
a conduit extending between an inlet and an outlet. The inlet of the conduit is positioned adjacent the plurality of fins. The outlet of the conduit is positioned adjacent the top portion of the drum. The conduit is configured for directing a flow of fluid from the bottom portion of the wash tub to the top portion of the wash tub
Data Source
AI summary
A wash basket has a plurality of fins mounted to the wash basket. The plurality of fins is configured to deliver a flow of wash fluid to the top of the wash basket using e.g., a conduit between the bottom and the top of the wash basket where the wash fluid may be directed to articles disposed within the wash basket.