Washer-Extractor Drum Design with Small Ribs for Textile Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional washing machines face issues with water drainage during extraction, leading to inefficiencies and potential damage to textiles due to high-speed spinning and limited water passage through perforations, while also consuming excessive water and energy.
Innovation Solution
A drum washing machine design featuring a perforated cylindrical surface with small, protrusive coatings or additional protrusions that facilitate water drainage and reduce textile damage, allowing for efficient water extraction and energy savings by controlling water levels and flow rates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional large ribs are used for lifting material during washing, then lifting capability is improved, but textile damage during high-speed spinning increases
Solution Approach 1:
The single large rib structure is segmented into multiple smaller ribs distributed around the drum perimeter. Each small rib provides individual lifting support, collectively achieving the required lifting capability while reducing the harmful concentration of force on any single point of the textile.
Solution Approach 2:
The rib structure transitions from uniform large ribs to non-uniform small ribs with varying heights and distributions. This allows optimization of lifting zones while creating protective zones for the textile, particularly reducing damage in high-stress areas during high-speed spinning.
2Ease of operation
If the space between tub and drum is filled with water for washing, then washing process is enabled, but water and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The unnecessary water from the space between the tub and drum is extracted and removed from the system. Only the essential water required for the washing process within the drum is retained, eliminating waste water while preserving washing functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The drainage system is designed to automatically evacuate water from the inter-space during the washing cycle through the conical surface and drainage channels, without requiring additional pumps or complex control mechanisms. The system self-regulates to maintain optimal water levels.
3Productivity
If high-speed spinning is used for extraction, then extraction efficiency is improved, but textile damage from centrifugal force increases
Solution Approach 1:
The drum surface is designed with locally optimized small ribs and conical sections that provide differential support during high-speed spinning. These structures distribute centrifugal forces more evenly across the textile, reducing stress concentration and damage while maintaining the high extraction efficiency achieved through high-speed rotation.
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
The design enhances washing and extraction efficiency, reduces water and energy consumption, and prevents textile damage by ensuring uniform water distribution and passage through the drum perforations, while maintaining effective drainage and reducing environmental pollution.
Implementation Method 1
a pump that evacuates the water in the space between a drum and a tub by pumping water from tub into the drum
Implementation Method 2
Centrifugal force created by the rotation of a drum at high speed to separate a certain amount of liquid absorbed by the material and drain out through drum perforations
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3~4
AI summary
This invention is related to washer-extractor machines and in particular to drum type washing machines that provide saving from water, energy and time and at the same time increase washing and extraction efficiency. The machine according to this invention prevents the harm of the textile caused by the drum perforations and also during the high speed spinning stage. This invention is also related to a washing and rinsing process realized using this machine.