Washing Machine Foam Heating With Reduced Water Load
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional washing machines consume excessive energy due to the large amount of water required to heat the laundry, making it difficult to reduce energy consumption while maintaining effective heat transfer to the laundry.
Innovation Solution
A method for treating laundry in a program-controlled washing machine that involves using a reduced amount of water, with a suds drainage system, a heating device, and sensors to manage the water level and foam, allowing for efficient heating and washing with less energy consumption. The method includes steps such as wetting the laundry with less than the saturation amount of water, rotating the drum to fill the space with foam, and heating the foam to transfer heat to the laundry, followed by rinsing and reversing the drum speed to remove dirt.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the amount of water in the washing machine is reduced, then energy consumption is reduced, but heat transfer to the laundry becomes insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state of water from liquid to foam by controlling the foaming process. This parameter change allows the washing system to use less water while maintaining effective heat transfer to the laundry, as foam can penetrate and contact the laundry more efficiently than liquid water alone.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes phase transition by converting liquid water into foam through controlled foaming. This phase change enables the washing system to achieve better heat transfer efficiency with reduced water quantity, as the foam structure allows for improved contact with the laundry surface and more effective thermal energy transfer.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the amount of free liquor is reduced, then energy consumption is reduced, but the ability to transport heat from heater to laundry deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state of water from liquid to foam by controlling the foaming process. This parameter change allows the washing system to use less water while maintaining effective heat transfer to the laundry, as foam can penetrate and contact the laundry more efficiently than liquid water alone.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes phase transition by converting liquid water into foam through controlled foaming. This phase change enables the washing system to achieve better heat transfer efficiency with reduced water quantity, as the foam structure allows for improved contact with the laundry surface and more effective thermal energy transfer.
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 significantly reduces the amount of water heated, resulting in substantial energy savings while ensuring effective cleaning and rinsing of the laundry.
Implementation Method 1
rotating the drum at a speed U1 which is greater than an application speed UA of the laundry until a space between the tub and the drum is filled with foam and the foam reaches the interior of the drum
Implementation Method 2
switching on the heating device and heating the foam and thus the laundry
Implementation Method 3
Cotton fabric binds around 200% of its own weight, so that a load of 6 kg of cotton fabric binds around 12 l of water
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for treating washing with an aqueous detergent solution in a programme-controlled washing machine comprising a solution drain system that is situated on the base of an outer tub (1) and a solution pump, a heating unit (13), a sensor (15) for determining the quantity of liquid or suds in an outer tub (1), the signal of said sensor being tracked during the method and comprising a drum (2). The method comprises the following steps: a) wetting a load (a1) of washing with a quantity (a2) of water that is smaller than the quantity (a3) of water required to saturate the washing (saturation quantity); b) rotating the drum (2) at a speed U1 thatis greaterthana speedUA required to spread the washing around the drum until a gap between the outer tub (1) and the drum (2) is filled with suds and said suds reach the interior of the drum (2); and c) activating the heating unit (13) and heating the suds and thus the washing. The invention also relates to a washing machine that is suitable for carrying out said method.