Washer Door Rinsing Using Centrifugal Water Ejection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional laundry treatment apparatuses with minimized volume face issues where impurities and bubbles generated during washing remain on the door, leading to reduced washing efficiency and potential user confusion about completion of washing, and require additional components that may be prone to pressure-related failures.

Innovation Solution

The apparatus incorporates a supply aperture for water in the tub cover, an ejection unit to direct water to the door and drum using centrifugal force, and a pressure reduction unit to manage water pressure, ensuring effective removal of impurities and bubbles from the door and drum surfaces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If the volume of the laundry treatment apparatus is minimized, then the distance between the introduction aperture and the upper end of the drum is reduced, but impurities and bubbles remain on the door

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevolume of laundry treatment apparatusVSAvoidimpurities and bubbles on door
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and removes bubbles and impurities from the washing water using a bubble removal unit that separates these harmful factors from the main washing process, preventing them from adhering to the door while maintaining the minimized apparatus volume

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces water flow as an intermediary substance that flushes the door surface to remove adhered bubbles and impurities, using the existing washing water as a cleaning medium rather than requiring separate removal mechanisms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If additional parts and flow channels are provided to remove impurities from the door, then impurity removal capability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimpurity removal from doorVSAvoidadditional parts and flow channels
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the washing water serve multiple functions: it performs both the primary washing of laundry and the secondary cleaning of the door surface, eliminating the need for separate impurity removal systems

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses its own washing water to clean the door and remove impurities, making the apparatus self-maintaining without requiring additional external systems or components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the pressure of wash water in the additional flow channel is excessively increased, then impurity removal effectiveness is improved, but the flow channel may be broken causing leakage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimpurity removal effectivenessVSAvoidflow channel integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies water flow at sufficient but not excessive pressure to the door surface, using just enough force to remove impurities without damaging the flow channel structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The system design anticipates pressure-related damage by using the existing robust water supply system to provide controlled pressure that is sufficient for cleaning but built within safe operational limits to prevent channel breakage

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

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

Prevents impurities and bubbles from sticking to the door, ensures complete washing without user doubt, maintains washing efficiency, and prevents pressure-related issues in additional flow channels, thereby enhancing the overall performance of the laundry treatment process.

Implementation Method 1

a laundry treatment apparatus, which may wash a door using the centrifugal force generated by the water stored in a tub while a drum is rotated

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCentrifugal force: Centrifugal Force

Data Source

PatentEP3216910B1Laundry treatment apparatus
Publication Date: 2019.03.06 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP3216910B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3216910B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3216910B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Disclosed is a laundry treatment apparatus including a tub body (41) for storing water therein; a tub cover (41, 43, 43, 45) for forming an upper surface of the tub body (41); an introduction aperture (431) formed through the tub cover (41, 43, 43, 45); a drum (5) rotatably provided in the tub body (41) for storing laundry therein, the drum (5) having an opening (21, 53, 53) communicating with the introduction aperture (431); a door (45) for opening (21, 53, 53) and closing the introduction aperture (431); and a rotating shaft (M3) for rotating the drum (5); and one or more washing unit (91) for ejecting at least some of water moved toward the tub cover (41, 43, 43, 45) to the door (45) using centrifugal force generated while the drum (5) is rotated.