Washing Machine Venting and Basket Rotation for Humidity Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional washing machines lack a mechanism to effectively reduce humidity and moisture, leading to mold, mildew, and foul smells due to excess wash fluid collection, which is inefficiently mitigated by leaving the door open.
Innovation Solution
A washing machine system with an intake and exhaust duct system, a vent door, and a controller that regulates air flow and basket rotation to periodically reduce humidity by introducing fresh air and expelling humid air, thereby reducing moisture and preventing mold and mildew growth.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If the door is left open after every cycle to reduce humidity, then humidity reduction is achieved, but this is burdensome for users and relatively ineffective at evaporating collected wash fluid
Solution Approach 1:
The washing machine automatically reduces humidity through a self-contained system with an air mover, heating element, and vapor trap, eliminating the need for user intervention. The system autonomously circulates air, heats it to evaporate moisture, condenses the vapor, and collects the water, making the humidity control process automatic and convenient for users.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical action of leaving the door open with an automated mechanical system comprising an air mover, heating element, and condensation collection system. This substitution transforms a passive, user-dependent method into an active, automated process that effectively removes moisture without requiring user presence or action.
2Reliability
If conventional washing machines have no moisture reduction mechanism, then the structure remains simple, but mold, mildew, and foul smells develop due to excess moisture
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into an integrated humidity control system: the air mover circulates air through the wash chamber, the heating element evaporates moisture, the vapor trap condenses and collects water, and all components are controlled by a single controller. This merging of functions into a coordinated system provides reliable mold and mildew prevention while managing complexity through integration rather than separate independent systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The air mover serves multiple functions: it circulates air during normal operation, drives air through the heating element during humidity reduction cycles, and facilitates vapor movement to the trap. The heating element not only heats water during washing but also evaporates moisture from surfaces during humidity control. This multi-functionality reduces the need for dedicated components, balancing reliability with controlled complexity.
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 system efficiently reduces humidity and moisture within the washing machine, minimizing mold and mildew growth and foul smells, providing a cost-effective and efficient solution by periodically circulating air and expelling humid air.
Implementation Method 1
selectively operating the drive motor to rotate the wash basket and urge the flow of air through the wash chamber
Implementation Method 2
An intake duct provides fluid communication between an ambient environment and the wash chamber for providing a flow of fresh air into the wash chamber, an exhaust duct provides fluid communication between the wash chamber and the ambient environment for discharging the flow of air from the wash chamber
Data Source
AI summary
A washing machine appliance includes a wash tub defining a wash chamber and an intake and exhaust duct that are fluidly coupled to the wash chamber. A vent door is positioned within the intake duct for regulating a flow of air into the wash chamber and a drive motor selectively rotates a wash basket within the wash tub. When a command to reduce humidity is received, a controller may open the vent door and rotate the wash basket in a periodic cycle to urge the flow of air through the wash chamber and out the exhaust duct to lower a humidity within the wash chamber and the gasket, e.g., to reduce mold and mildew growth.