Washer appliance article movement mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vertical-axis washing machines face user perception issues due to the absence of a conventional agitator, leading to reluctance in adopting designs that utilize an impeller for effective cleaning while reducing water consumption and maintaining higher detergent concentrations.
Innovation Solution
A vertical-axis washing machine with a rotatable impeller and an agitator post, featuring a plurality of vane sets with helical vanes, positioned adjacent to the impeller, which imparts motion to articles during washing, allowing for efficient cleaning with reduced water usage and supporting user preferences for effective agitation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional agitator is used in a vertical-axis washing machine, then users perceive the cleaning effectiveness as improved, but water consumption increases and detergent concentration decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The washing machine combines two distinct agitation mechanisms: a conventional agitator post with helical vanes that provides familiar visual agitation, and an impeller at the bottom that performs the actual cleaning function. This segmentation allows each component to serve different purposes - the agitator satisfies user perception needs while the impeller efficiently moves water and articles with less consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The impeller acts as an intermediary mechanism that transfers rotational motion to the water and articles more efficiently than a conventional agitator. By positioning the impeller at the bottom and using its blade design, it creates effective water circulation and article movement without requiring the high water levels traditionally associated with agitator-based systems
2Loss of substance
If an impeller is used to reduce water consumption, then water efficiency is improved, but users may be reluctant to accept the design due to absence of conventional agitator
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges two previously separate concepts - the conventional agitator post and the impeller-driven system - into a single washing machine. The agitator post with helical vanes provides the familiar visual element users expect, while the impeller at the bottom performs the efficient water movement. This combination allows the machine to appeal to traditional users while achieving modern water efficiency goals
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 solution enables effective cleaning with reduced water consumption and higher detergent concentrations, appealing to users who associate vertical agitator posts with cleaning effectiveness, while maintaining the efficiency of impeller-driven motion.
Implementation Method 1
An impeller is positioned in the wash drum, the impeller being rotational about a vertical axis and configured for imparting motion to the articles during washing
Implementation Method 2
The agitator post includes a plurality of vane sets spaced apart along the vertical axis with each vane set including at least one helical vane
Data Source
AI summary
A washing appliance having an article movement mechanism including an impeller and agitator post. An impeller is positioned in the wash drum and is rotational about a vertical axis and is configured for imparting motion to the articles during washing. An agitator post is positioned adjacent to the impeller and is also rotational about the vertical axis. The agitator post includes a plurality of vane sets spaced apart along the vertical axis with each vane set including at least one helical vane.