Washing Machine Drain Pump Intermittent Operation for Suds Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
In drum washing machines, excessive detergent usage leads to excessive bubbles and foam, causing pressure increases and potential overflow, and existing methods fail to effectively drain suds during the drain cycle, resulting in residual detergent on clothes.
Innovation Solution
A water draining method for washing machines that includes an alternate operation mode for the draining pump, where it runs and pauses to facilitate the drainage of suds, and a de-foaming mode with controlled rotation speeds and fresh water supply to manage suds levels, ensuring efficient drainage and preventing overflow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the drum washing machine maintains good sealing performance to maintain high internal pressure, then pressure stability is improved, but bubble accumulation and overflow risk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The draining pump operates in periodic cycles, alternating between pumping phases and idle phases. During pumping phases, suds and liquid are actively drained; during idle phases, the system allows pressure equalization and bubble collapse. This periodic operation prevents continuous pressure buildup while maintaining effective suds removal, resolving the contradiction between pressure stability and bubble accumulation.
2Reliability
If excessive detergent is used to ensure thorough washing, then washing effectiveness is improved, but suds overproduction and overflow occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful effect of excessive suds into a beneficial indicator. The suds level detection system monitors bubble accumulation, and when excessive suds are detected, the system automatically adjusts draining frequency and intensity. The periodic draining operation specifically targets suds removal during idle phases, transforming the problematic suds overproduction into a controllable parameter that triggers appropriate draining responses.
3Productivity
If the draining pump operates continuously to drain suds efficiently, then suds removal is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The draining pump operates in periodic cycles rather than continuously. Each cycle consists of a pumping phase where suds and liquid are actively drained, followed by an idle phase where the pump rests. This periodic operation maintains effective suds removal during pumping phases while significantly reducing energy consumption during idle phases, resolving the contradiction between productivity and energy usage.
4Productivity
If the drum rotates at high speed during spin cycle to remove water, then water removal is improved, but suds creation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary suds detection and draining operations before and during the spin cycle. The suds level detection system monitors bubble accumulation in real-time, and the periodic draining pump operation proactively removes suds before they can accumulate to harmful levels. This preliminary and continuous monitoring approach prevents suds overproduction from becoming problematic, even during high-speed spin cycles.
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 effectively drains more suds during the drain cycle, enhancing the rinse effect and preventing overflow, while reducing detergent residue on clothes and protecting the washing machine from excessive load and potential damage.
Implementation Method 1
a draining pump provided on the first draining conduit is used for enabling water within the draining conduit to flow through the upward section and then drain from the draining conduit
Implementation Method 2
controlling the motor to drive the first inner container rotating and spinning while keeping the draining pump working at an alternate operation mode
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed is a water draining method of a washing machine. The water draining method comprises the following steps in order: a draining step, controlling a water drainage pump (4) to work intermittently until the water level inside an outer drum (2) reaches a set drainage water level; and a spin-drying step, controlling the electric motor to drive the inner drum to rotate to remove water, while also controlling the water drainage pump (4) to work intermittently. By controlling the water drainage pump (4) to work intermittently, when the water drainage pump (4) is working, the washing water inside the outer drum (2) enters a water drain pipe (3), and is then pumped by the water drainage pump (4) to be discharged via a riser segment of the water drain pipe (3); when the water drainage pump (4) stops working, the washing water in the riser segment of the water drain pipe (3) flows back under the action of gravity, and the the water drainage pump (4) alternately working and stopping makes the washing water in the riser segment also flow back intermittently, and that facilitates foam floating on the washing water being discharged outside the washing machine. Therefore, the rinsing effect of the washing machine is improved and foam overflow is avoided.