Washing Machine Vent Circuit for Air Venting and Surplus Water Drainage
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing washing machines with a washing and/or rinsing water tank are costly, have complex hydraulic water distribution circuits, and are prone to failures, as they only allow air to be introduced or evacuated during filling and emptying phases, and do not efficiently drain surplus water into an external waste network.
Innovation Solution
A washing machine design featuring a venting device with a connection pipe to a valve that controls the hydraulic communication between the washing and/or rinsing water tank and a drain pipe, allowing air to escape or enter during filling/emptying and evacuating excess water to an external waste network, simplifying the hydraulic circuit and reducing costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If a washing and/or rinsing water tank is added to allow water reuse, then water conservation is improved, but the hydraulic water distribution circuit becomes complex and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the air venting function and water drainage function into a single integrated vent device. The vent device includes a vent channel for air passage and a water outlet channel for surplus water drainage, both integrated within the same structural component. This merging eliminates the need for separate air vent pipes and water drainage pipes, thereby simplifying the hydraulic water distribution circuit while maintaining water conservation capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
The vent device is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it allows air to enter or escape during tank filling and emptying, and it drains surplus washing and/or rinsing water to the external waste network. The at least one valve within the vent device can control different flow paths to achieve different functions based on operational requirements, making the device universal and multi-functional
2Ease of operation
If separate air vent and water drainage systems are used, then air management is improved, but additional pipes and pumps are required increasing cost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the air venting system and water drainage system into a single integrated vent device. The vent channel allows air to pass through during filling and emptying operations, while the water outlet channel provides a dedicated path for surplus water drainage. This integration eliminates the need for separate pipes and pumps for air management and water drainage, reducing system complexity and cost
3Productivity
If the vent device includes integrated valve control, then water evacuation efficiency is improved, but the valve structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The valve structure is segmented into distinct functional parts: at least one valve is provided with a vent channel for air passage and a water outlet channel for water drainage. The valve can have different configurations (e.g., solenoid valves, butterfly valves) for each channel, allowing independent control of air venting and water drainage functions. This segmentation enables efficient water evacuation through dedicated controlled pathways while keeping each valve component relatively simple and manageable
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 a more reliable, cost-effective, and efficient washing machine operation by allowing air and water to be managed effectively within the tank and draining surplus water, reducing the complexity of the hydraulic system and enhancing user flexibility.
Implementation Method 1
said venting device also making it possible to evacuate the quantity of water introduced in excess during the filling of washing and/or rinsing water from the washing and/or rinsing water tank towards the network of external waste water
Implementation Method 2
said connection pipe being connected on the one hand to an upper part of said washing and/or rinsing water tank and on the other hand to a first part of at least one valve, and said first part of said at least one valve also being connected to a drain water flow pipe to an external waste water network
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~7
AI summary
The machine (1) has a body (2) enclosing a washing tank (3), and a washing and/or rinsing water reservoir (6) provided with a vent device (26). The vent device includes a connecting pipe (21) connected to an upper portion of the reservoir and connected to a part (14a) of a valve (14). The part of the valve is connected to a water drain pipe (8) of a hydraulic water distribution circuit to drain water towards an external wastewater system (13). The reservoir is arranged external to the body of the machine.