Front-Load Washer Basket Inflow Alignment for Simpler Liquid Recirculation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing laundry washing machines face complexities in manufacturing and operation due to intricate hydraulic circuits and recirculation systems, which complicate the construction and maintenance, particularly in front-loading machines with imperforated peripheral baskets that require precise liquid management and centrifugation phases.
Innovation Solution
A laundry washing machine design featuring an integrated inflow conduit within the tub, formed by plastic half-shells, simplifies the hydraulic circuit by eliminating flexible recirculation tubes and includes a seat for the filter, allowing easy access and cleaning, along with a prevalently imperforated peripheral basket wall for efficient liquid retention and discharge.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a recirculation system with flexible tubes and nozzles is used to improve liquid delivery to the basket, then liquid recirculation efficacy is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the recirculation conduit directly into the tub structure, eliminating the need for separate flexible tubes and external nozzle assemblies. The conduit is formed as an integral part of the tub body, reducing the number of components and simplifying the hydraulic circuit while maintaining liquid delivery functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The tub structure serves multiple functions: it contains the wash load, provides structural support, and integrates the recirculation conduit system. The tub body itself becomes part of the hydraulic circuit, eliminating the need for dedicated external recirculation piping and reducing overall system complexity.
2Quantity of substance
If a prevalently imperforated peripheral basket wall is used to retain liquid in the basket, then liquid retention is improved, but device complexity increases due to precise positioning requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The basket wall is designed with different properties in different regions: a prevalently imperforated peripheral wall for liquid retention, and a front wall with openings for loading/unloading laundry. This local differentiation allows the basket to retain liquid effectively while maintaining accessibility for user operations.
3Productivity
If the filter seat is positioned at the discharge outlet of the tub, then liquid management is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to difficult filter access
Solution Approach 1:
The filter access system is segmented into a removable plug and a fixed seat structure. The plug can be easily removed from the front of the basket to provide access to the filter located at the discharge outlet, while the seat remains integrated into the tub structure for stable filter mounting and effective liquid management.
4Ease of manufacture
If integrated inflow conduit formed by half-shells is used to simplify manufacturing, then ease of manufacture is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The two half-shells are designed with asymmetric sealing features and alignment references that guide their assembly. The integrated conduit structure incorporates positioning elements that ensure proper alignment during assembly, reducing the precision burden while maintaining effective sealing and fluid flow paths.
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 simplifies manufacturing, reduces construction complexities, enhances user convenience by simplifying filter cleaning, and maintains effective liquid management within the basket for efficient washing and rinsing cycles while minimizing water consumption and energy use.
Implementation Method 1
a pump, in fluid communication with a water supply network and with the tub, and adapted to deliver a treatment liquid into the tub and/or basket through the inflow conduit
Implementation Method 2
at opportune moments in the treatment cycle, centrifugation phases of the laundry load must be provided... due to the high rotational speed of the basket, the liquid present in the laundry tends to be expelled therefrom by effect of centrifugal force
Implementation Method 3
the liquid can remain in the basket during the treatment phases with a relatively low speed, due to the inclination of the rotational axis of the basket and to the presence of a prevalently imperforated peripheral wall
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
A front loading laundry washing machine comprises a washing tub (5), a laundry basket (10) mounted in the tub (5), motor means (11) to actuate the basket (10) in rotation and a system for feeding liquid in the basket (10). The basket (10) has a first and a second -end wall (10b, 10c), between which a peripheral wall (10a) extends. The liquid feeding system comprises at least one inflow passage (20) formed in a prevalently imperforated annular region of the peripheral wall (10a) of the basket and an inflow conduit (30) having a delivery outlet (33) facing toward the prevalently imperforated annular region. It is further provided a positioning system (CS, 11) designed for bringing and/or maintaining the basket (10) in a substantially predetermined angular position within the tub (5), in such a position the inflow passage (20) being substantially aligned with the delivery outlet (33) of the inflow conduit (30) to receive therefrom a liquid flow for the purpose of loading of liquid in the basket (10).