Washer-Drier Recirculation Circuit for Reusing Discharge Liquid
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Solution Overview
Problem
Domestic washer-drier machines have high consumption of water, electric power, and detergent due to unused liquid volumes during washing and drying operations, leading to waste and pollution.
Innovation Solution
A recirculation circuit is introduced that conveys unused liquid from the discharge circuit back into the washing tank, combining it with detergent and heat to improve resource utilization and reduce waste, and also uses this liquid for cooling during the drying process, reducing the need for fresh water.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the discharge pump is arranged underneath the washing tank bottom to enable complete liquid discharge, then the discharge function is improved, but the liquid volume in the discharge duct becomes unused and is wasted
Solution Approach 1:
The invention recovers the liquid that would otherwise be discarded in the discharge duct by introducing a recirculation circuit that redirects this liquid back to the washing tank, thereby eliminating waste while maintaining the effective discharge function
Solution Approach 2:
The discharge duct is given a dual function: it serves both as the discharge path for removing liquid from the washing tank and as a recirculation path for returning liquid back to the tank, eliminating waste without adding separate components
2Loss of substance
If a recirculation circuit is added to reuse liquid, then water consumption is reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The recirculation circuit is merged with the existing discharge circuit, using the same discharge pump and discharge duct to perform both discharge and recirculation functions, thereby reducing water consumption without significantly increasing device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The discharge pump and discharge duct are designed to serve multiple functions: they can discharge liquid from the washing tank and simultaneously recirculate liquid back to the tank, achieving resource reuse while avoiding additional 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 solution significantly reduces water, detergent, and electric power consumption by reusing the liquid volume, enhancing the efficiency of detergent and heat distribution, and minimizing pollutants released into the environment.
Implementation Method 1
a recirculation circuit with a recirculation duct and pump means, which is connected to said washing tank and said discharge circuit in a location below the tank bottom, such as to be capable of conveying at least one part of the additional volume into the washing tank
Implementation Method 2
uses this liquid for cooling during the drying process, reducing the need for fresh water
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A washer-drier machine (1) for washing and drying laundry comprises a washing tank (3) and a laundry basket (5) which is pivotally supported within the washing tank (3), a drying circuit (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21) with a suction unit (17, 18), a heat exchanger (19, 20) and a heating unit (21) which communicate with each other by means of a drying duct (16), a discharge circuit (9, 10) being at least partially arranged underneath the bottom (8) of the washing tank (3) and containing an additional liquid volume (16) arranged underneath the laundry basket (5), a recirculation circuit (17, 18) connected to the washing tank (3) and to the discharge duct (9, 10) in a point underneath the tank bottom (8), such as to be capable of conveying at least one part of the additional liquid volume (16) to the washing tank (3).