Washer Drum Wetting with Recirculation to Cut Rotation Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Laundry washing machines require significant energy and torque to rotate the drum during the initial wetting phase due to excessive liquid resistance, even with existing methods to reduce liquid levels during operation, leading to inefficient energy use.
Innovation Solution
The method involves using a recirculation pump to load and distribute a reduced amount of liquid, ensuring the dynamic level remains below the drum's tangential plane during rotation, thereby minimizing resistance and energy consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a predetermined amount of washing liquid is loaded into the tank to wet the laundry, then the laundry can be effectively wetted, but the liquid level exceeds the tangential plane of the drum causing excessive resistance to drum rotation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the washing liquid delivery system into multiple stages: initial loading phase, recirculation phase, and discharge phase. During the initial phase, liquid is loaded to a level that exceeds the tangential plane. During the recirculation phase, the pump actively manages liquid levels. This segmentation allows the system to achieve effective wetting while managing rotational resistance through active control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic control of liquid levels through a recirculation pump that actively adjusts the liquid volume in the tank during operation. The system transitions from a static liquid level (initial loading) to a dynamically controlled level (during recirculation), allowing the liquid level to be optimized for both wetting effectiveness and minimal rotational resistance at different operational stages.
2Force
If the liquid level is maintained below the tangential plane of the drum, then resistance to drum rotation is reduced, but the laundry cannot be effectively wetted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by loading the washing liquid into the tank before the drum rotation begins. The liquid is initially loaded to a level that ensures complete coverage of the laundry for effective wetting. The recirculation pump then activates to manage the liquid level during operation, preventing excessive resistance while maintaining wetting effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The recirculation pump maintains continuous operation during the washing cycle, constantly adjusting the liquid level and distribution. This continuous action ensures that the laundry remains effectively wetted while the liquid level is kept at an optimal point that minimizes rotational resistance, resolving the contradiction between wetting effectiveness and rotational ease.
3Power
If a high-power motor is used to rotate the drum during wetting phase, then the drum can rotate despite liquid resistance, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback control through the recirculation pump system that monitors and adjusts liquid levels in real-time during drum rotation. This feedback mechanism allows the system to maintain optimal liquid levels that minimize resistance, thereby reducing the power requirements for drum rotation and lowering overall energy consumption while maintaining effective wetting.
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 approach reduces energy absorption by 25% and allows for a smaller motor, lowering costs and energy usage for heating and operation.
Implementation Method 1
a pump for recirculating liquids from and to the tank passing through said reservoir
Implementation Method 2
a drum with perforated walls for the laundry to be washed arranged inside the tank and mounted for rotating around a substantially horizontal axis
Implementation Method 3
The liquid passes through the laundry and accumulates in the bottom of the tank until reaching a particular level
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
Method for washing and/or rinsing in a laundry washing machine with a plurality of nozzles (6,8) for releasing the liquids into a tank (1) and an opening (4) for the discharge of said liquids, a reservoir (3) arranged below the bottom portion of the tank and able to hold a predetermined amount of washing or rinsing liquid, said reservoir (3) being hydraulically connected to said nozzles (6,8), to said opening (4) in the bottom portion the tank, to an outlet (13) outside the machine, to a water source (14), to a pump (11) for discharging liquids from the machine and to a pump (10) for recirculating liquids, said method comprising a phase of wetting the laundry placed inside the drum (2) by recirculating a predetermined amount of washing and/or rinsing liquid, such that, during the recirculation, a dynamic level of the liquid results which does not exceed the horizontal plane (A) tangential to the edge (2a) of the drum (2) when considered in its lowest position having regard to the axis of rotation (X-X).