Drum Washer Gasket Venting for Spin-Cycle Drying
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Solution Overview
Problem
Residual water on the window gasket of a drum washing machine, when the door is closed, leads to slow evaporation, odor, and bacterial growth, which can contaminate subsequent laundry and affect user health.
Innovation Solution
The drum washing machine incorporates a flow guiding structure on the inner cylinder front flange and vents on the window gasket, allowing air to circulate and create negative pressure during the spin cycle to quickly dry the window gasket surface, preventing bacterial growth and odor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the door is closed to save indoor space and maintain neat appearance, then space utilization and appearance are improved, but residual water on the window gasket evaporates slowly leading to odor and bacterial growth
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the residual water from the window gasket area by introducing airflow that directs water away from the gasket surface through the flow guiding structure and vents, eliminating the source of odor and bacterial growth while maintaining door closure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses pneumatic principles by introducing airflow during the spin cycle that passes through the flow guiding structure and vents to create negative pressure, which accelerates water removal from the window gasket surface, preventing odor and bacterial issues
2Loss of substance
If drain holes are formed at the lowest circumference of the window gasket to discharge residual water by gravity, then most residual water can be removed, but water on the surface cannot be properly removed leaving the gasket damp
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from relying solely on gravitational drainage (vertical dimension) to introducing airflow dynamics (horizontal and radial dimensions) through the flow guiding structure and vents, creating multi-dimensional water removal that addresses both bulk water and surface moisture
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies pneumatic principles by using airflow introduced during the spin cycle to create negative pressure that actively draws surface water from the window gasket through the vents, complementing the gravitational drainage system to achieve complete drying
3Stability of the object's composition
If the window gasket remains damp in a sealed space, then the sealed environment is maintained, but odor and bacterial breeding occur undermining user health
Solution Approach 1:
The patent ensures continuous water removal action during the spin cycle by maintaining airflow through the flow guiding structure and vents throughout the spinning process, continuously preventing dampness accumulation and eliminating conditions for odor and bacterial growth while preserving the sealed environment
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses continuous pneumatic action during the spin cycle where airflow creates sustained negative pressure through the vents, continuously removing moisture from the window gasket surface and preventing the development of odor and bacterial breeding conditions while maintaining door seal integrity
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 accelerates the drying process of the window gasket, reducing bacterial growth and odor, thereby enhancing user safety and laundry quality by ensuring a cleaner environment.
Implementation Method 1
an air flow will be introduced to the surface of the window gasket during a spin cycle to dry the window gasket surface quickly
Implementation Method 2
allowing air to circulate and create negative pressure during the spin cycle
Data Source
AI summary
A drum washing machine comprising: a casing (1), an outer cylinder (2) disposed in the casing (1), an inner cylinder (3) disposed in the casing (1), a door (4) provided on the casing (1), and a window gasket (5) for sealing provided between the casing (1) and the outer cylinder (2); wherein comprises: an inner cylinder front flange (32); a flow guiding structure (323) extending forward, which is provided on the inner cylinder front flange (32) and configured to introduce air into the inner cylinder (3) when entering into a spin phase; and a plurality of vents (541) opened at the window gasket (5) which are communicated with a space between the inner cylinder front flange (32) and the outer cylinder (2). When the drum washing machine enters into a spin phase to dewater, with the configuration of disposing the flow guiding structure (323) on the inner cylinder front flange (32), air in front of the inner cylinder front flange (32) could be introduced to the back side of it, and a negative pressure space could be created between the inner cylinder front flange (32) and the outer cylinder (2), and additionally, air around the window gasket (5) could enter into the space between the inner cylinder front flange (32) and the outer cylinder (2) by the vent (541) to create a high volume airflow circulating around the inner surface of the window gasket 5 to dry it quickly, which could speed up drying time, prevent the breeding of bacteria and eliminate the odor.