Washer Drum Agitator Water Filling to Limit Thermal Shock
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Solution Overview
Problem
Large-sized laundry treatment apparatuses are inefficient for washing small loads, leading to increased energy consumption, water usage, and damage to agitation units due to abrupt temperature changes, and are not suitable for delicate items.
Innovation Solution
A combination-type laundry treatment apparatus with a small-sized unit featuring a rotatable drum and an agitation unit at the bottom surface, controlled by a processor to manage water supply and heating, ensuring incremental water addition and stepwise temperature adjustment to prevent damage and energy inefficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a large-sized laundry treatment apparatus is used, then it can wash large loads, but it consumes excessive energy and water for small loads
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the laundry treatment apparatus into two distinct sizes: a large-sized apparatus for washing large loads and a small-sized apparatus for washing small loads. This segmentation allows each apparatus to be optimized for its specific purpose, preventing energy and water waste that would occur if a large apparatus were used for small loads. The small-sized apparatus has correspondingly smaller water storage and heating components matched to its capacity.
2Use of energy by moving object
If water is supplied to a high level before heating, then heating efficiency is improved, but the agitation unit suffers thermal damage from abrupt temperature changes
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies preliminary action by first supplying water to a first level that immerses the heater but exposes the agitation unit, then heating the water before supplying additional water to reach the final second level. This sequence ensures the heater is already in operation and the system is prepared for the thermal load, preventing thermal shock to the agitation unit while maintaining heating efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The water supply process is divided into periodic stages: first supplying water to immerse the heater, then heating, then intermittently supplying additional water to reach the final level. This periodic action allows thermal equilibrium to be established at each stage, preventing abrupt temperature changes that would damage the agitation unit while maintaining overall heating efficiency.
3Reliability
If water is supplied incrementally after heating, then agitation unit is protected, but washing time is extended
Solution Approach 1:
The heater is activated in advance during the first water supply stage, so that by the time additional water is supplied incrementally, the heating process has already begun. This preliminary heating action reduces the total time required, as the system is already warmed and needs less additional heating time compared to if heating started after all water was supplied.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating action continues uninterrupted throughout the water supply process. The heater remains active during both the initial water supply and the subsequent incremental water addition, ensuring continuous useful thermal action. This maintains washing efficiency while protecting the agitation unit through controlled water level management.
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
Reduces energy consumption, protects agitation units from thermal damage, and effectively washes small loads while maintaining efficiency and safety.
Implementation Method 1
heat the first amount of water in the tub to a first temperature
Implementation Method 2
supply water at a second temperature lower than the first temperature into the tub
Implementation Method 3
an agitation unit that protrudes upward from a center part of a bottom surface of the drum and that is configured to agitate water and laundry in the drum in a state in which the drum rotates
Data Source
Figure 1A~1C
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A laundry treatment apparatus comprises a tub (122) configured to hold water; a drum (200) rotatably provided in the tub (122) and configured to receive laundry; an agitation unit (600) that protrudes upward from a center part of a bottom surface of the drum (200) and that is configured to agitate water and laundry in the drum (200) in a state in which the drum (200) rotates; a heater (118) configured to heat water in the tub (122); a water supply pipe (125a) configured to supply water to the tub (122); and a water supply valve (125b) configured to control a flow through the water supply pipe(125a); wherein the laundry treatment apparatus is configured to: - supply a first amount of water in the tub (122); - heat the first amount of water in the tub (122) to a first temperature; and - intermittently supply incremental amounts of water into the tub (122) until a second amount of water is in the tub (122), wherein the first amount of water added into the tub (122) results in a first water level in the tub (122) at which a portion of the agitation unit (600) is immersed below the first water level and an uppermost end of the agitation unit (600) is exposed above the first water level, and the second amount of water added into the tub (122) results in a second water level in the tub (122) at which the uppermost end of the agitation unit (600) is immersed below the second water level.