Washing Machine Drum Control for Detergent Pad Dissolution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing laundry treatment methods using detergent pads in washing machines often result in incomplete dissolution of the water-soluble films, leading to residue issues and inefficient distribution of laundry treatment agents, which can cause slimy residues in laundry items.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a washing machine with a control device that ensures a predetermined minimum liquid level and controlled movement of the drum to facilitate contact between the detergent pad and water, utilizing a pumping system to circulate the aqueous liquid and promote rapid dissolution of the detergent pad, thereby ensuring complete distribution of the treatment agent.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If detergent pads with water-soluble films are used to separate and dose laundry treatment agents, then easier dosing and ingredient separation are achieved, but the films do not dissolve quickly enough and leave residues in laundry items
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing drum movements and liquid circulation before the detergent pad has fully dissolved. The washing machine executes specific drum rotation patterns and activates the pumping system to circulate water through the detergent pad compartment, ensuring the pad dissolves completely before the main washing cycle begins, thereby preventing residues in laundry items.
2Ease of operation
If detergent pads are placed in the drum, then ingredient separation is achieved, but the pads slip into the door rubber and only contact water during rinsing phase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent ensures reliable water contact by executing preliminary drum movements and activating the pumping system before the rinsing phase. The drum is rotated to specific positions and water is circulated through the detergent pad compartment during the washing phase, ensuring complete dissolution and contact before the pad could potentially slip into the door rubber.
Solution Approach 2:
The control device monitors the washing process and adjusts drum movements and pumping operations based on detected conditions. If the detergent pad has not dissolved sufficiently, the control device extends the preliminary water contact period or adjusts drum rotation patterns to ensure complete dissolution before proceeding to the main washing cycle.
3Productivity
If the drum rotates through large angles to move laundry, then washing effectiveness is improved, but the detergent pad cannot be properly contacted by water
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the washing process into distinct phases: a preliminary phase with controlled drum movements and active pumping to dissolve the detergent pad, followed by the main washing phase with full drum rotation for washing effectiveness. This segmentation ensures both reliable detergent dissolution and effective laundry washing without interference between the two functions.
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 method ensures complete dissolution of detergent pads and uniform distribution of laundry treatment agents, preventing residue issues and enhancing the washing process efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a container (8), in particular a detergent pad, which has at least one chamber which is enclosed by a water-soluble film, the detergent pad containing at least one liquid or powdered laundry treatment agent in the chamber or chambers
Implementation Method 2
a pumping system (5, 9, 14) with a pumping line (9) and a pump (5) for transporting an aqueous liquid (6)
Implementation Method 3
a drum (3) rotatably mounted in the tub about a substantially horizontal axis for receiving items of laundry
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for treating laundry items 4 in a washing machine 1, which has a tub 2 and a drum 3 rotatably mounted therein about a substantially horizontal axis for receiving the laundry items 4, and a control device 7, wherein the method comprises the following steps: (a) placing an open or closed container 8 containing a laundry treatment agent into the drum 3; (b) filling the tub 2 with an aqueous liquid 6 in an amount W sufficient to ensure that the liquid level h in the drum 3 reaches a predetermined minimum value hmin; (c) moving the aqueous liquid 6 for a predetermined period tset > 1 min, during which the drum 3 is at rest or is moved such that the drum 3 does not rotate through an angle α ≥ 180°. The invention also relates to a washing machine suitable for carrying out the method.