Washer Spin-Rinse Profile for Sudsing and Detergent Extraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing washing machine centrifuge methods often lead to excessive sudsing due to foam accumulation between the tub and basket walls, causing energy inefficiency and potential machine shutdowns, as they either fail to effectively manage detergent removal or require excessive water and energy.
Innovation Solution
A centrifuge profile with an ecological rinse method that uses controlled motor acceleration and deceleration ramps, combined with targeted fresh water spraying to dilute and extract remaining detergent, minimizing energy consumption and water usage while preventing sudsing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If conventional centrifuge methods are used to extract washing liquor, then detergent removal is achieved, but excessive sudsing occurs due to foam accumulation between tub and basket walls
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic centrifuge ramps with alternating acceleration and deceleration phases. The motor is periodically energized to accelerate the basket to intermediate speeds, then de-energized to allow deceleration through inertia. This periodic action prevents continuous foam generation while allowing periodic extraction of washing liquor, thereby reducing sudsing accumulation between the tub and basket walls.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary fresh water spraying to the textiles before the centrifuge operation. This preliminary action dilutes the detergent concentration in the washing liquor, reducing its foaming properties before the centrifuge ramps begin, thereby preventing excessive sudsing during the extraction process.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If the space between tub and basket walls is reduced to minimize foam accumulation, then sudsing is reduced, but load space is wasted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the centrifuge system by using intermediate speeds rather than maximum speeds, and by implementing periodic acceleration-deceleration cycles. This allows effective detergent removal and sudsing control without requiring a reduced annular space, thereby preserving load space while achieving the desired anti-sudsing effect.
3Loss of substance
If multiple centrifuge ramps are used to extract washing liquor, then detergent removal is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses intermediate speeds that are partial compared to maximum centrifuge speeds. The motor accelerates the basket to intermediate speeds sufficient for washing liquor extraction, then relies on inertia for deceleration without motor intervention. This partial action achieves effective detergent removal while significantly reducing energy consumption compared to continuous high-speed operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the inertia of the rotating basket to perform the deceleration phase without motor energy input. After the motor accelerates the basket to an intermediate speed and then de-energizes, the basket's own inertia carries it through the deceleration and reversal phases, allowing the system to serve itself during these phases and minimizing overall energy consumption.
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 method achieves significant water and energy savings while effectively removing detergent and preventing sudsing, ensuring efficient operation and robust performance even with heavy textile loads.
Implementation Method 1
the basket increases its speed to a medium velocity... achieving an over-shoot of this medium velocity caused by the acceleration provided to the induction motor... The basket, which reduces its speed until reaching cero an almost cero speed
Implementation Method 2
a rinse step is initiated, wherein a predetermined amount of fresh water is admitted towards the tub, used to dilute the washing liquor remaining in the textiles
Data Source
AI summary
A centrifuge method and a rinse method to avoid sudsing in a vertical axis washing machine which contains, among others a basket within a tub, an agitator or propeller or impulsor mechanically coupled to a motor, a spraying means and a drain pump, the method comprising the steps of:a. turning on the motor until the basket reaches a medium speed (mS);b. turning off the motor, when the basket reaches mS and until the basket reaches a minimal speed in which gravity force is greater than the centrifuge force exercised by the rotation of the basket;c. turning on the motor until the basket reaches a maximum speed; andd. turning off the motor when the basket reaches the maximum speed after a predetermined time and until reaching a final speed (fS).