Washing Machine Spin-Circulation Cycle for Low-Water Heating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Washing machines consume excessive water and energy due to the need for sufficient water levels to operate heaters and circulation pumps, which limits efficiency and increases detergent usage.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a spin phase during the wash cycle at a higher speed to expel water from laundry using centrifugal forces, allowing the circulation pump to return water to the drainage area, and optimizing water supply to ensure the heater is only activated when necessary, reducing overall water usage and energy consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If sufficient water is supplied to ensure the heater is always covered and the circulation pump operates continuously, then reliable heating and pumping are achieved, but water consumption increases excessively
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic spin phases during the wash cycle where the drum rotates at high speed to expel water from the laundry, followed by circulation pump operation to return water to the drum. This periodic action maintains sufficient water levels for heater and pump operation only when needed, rather than continuously, thereby reducing overall water consumption while ensuring reliable operation during critical phases
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters by controlling the drum rotation speed dynamically - using low speed during normal washing and switching to high speed during spin phases to expel water. This parameter change allows the system to adjust water distribution and maintain minimum water levels for heater/pump operation only during necessary periods, reducing total water usage
2Productivity
If the drum is rotated at high speed continuously to improve water exchange and washing performance, then washing efficiency increases, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic high-speed rotation only during specific spin phases rather than continuously throughout the wash cycle. The controller activates high-speed drum rotation temporarily to achieve water expulsion and enhanced water exchange, then returns to lower speed operation, thereby maintaining washing performance benefits while significantly reducing overall energy consumption
3Quantity of substance
If a spin phase is inserted to increase water level in the drainage area for heating, then water availability for heating is improved, but washing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the spin phase operation with the heating requirement by timing the high-speed drum rotation to occur before heating is needed, using the same operational phase to achieve both water expulsion for water level increase and preparation for subsequent heating, rather than adding separate operations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs the spin phase as a preliminary action before heating is required, expelling water from the laundry in advance to ensure sufficient water level in the drainage area is achieved before the heating cycle begins, thereby avoiding time loss during the heating phase
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 enhances washing performance by improving water exchange, reduces washing time, decreases water and detergent requirements, and minimizes energy consumption by only heating and pumping water when needed.
Implementation Method 1
At least one spin phase is now provided in the wash cycle, during which the drum is rotated at a second speed, which is higher than the first speed, in order to expel water from the laundry and bring it into the drainage area of the drum. Thanks to the centrifugal forces at work, water is squeezed out of the laundry
Implementation Method 2
It is known, for example from EP 1 386 996, to design washing machines with a circulation pump in order to convey water from the bottom area of the tub via a circulation line and a nozzle into the top area of the tub
Implementation Method 3
a heater is arranged in the outflow area, at the circulation pump and/or at the circulation line. To heat the water in the tub, the water level in the drain area is first increased by means of the spin phase and then the heating is switched on
Implementation Method 4
at least part of the water is bound again in the laundry, i.e. is retained by the laundry, e.g. by capillary forces or in folds and the like of the laundry
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
The method involves accommodating clothes in a rotating drum (1), and arranging a barrel (2) in the rotating drum. A circulating pump (8) is provided for pumping over the clothes from a drainage area (6) of the barrel over a circulation pipe (9) in the barrel. The rotating drum is turned in a sing-phase with a speed, which is higher than another speed to drive out water from the clothes and to provide the water in the drainage area. The circulating pump is operated to guide the driven out water to the clothes over the circulation pipe. An independent claim is also included for a washing machine including a rotating drum.