Washing Drum Detergent Jet Flow to Reduce Drain Loss
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing washing machines face detergent losses due to undissolved detergent entering the drain pipe, requiring costly additional devices and increased energy expenditure to prevent this, which is inefficient and expensive.
Innovation Solution
A method where the detergent-liquid mixture is directed as a jet against the upper quarter of the cylindrical drum shell at a flat angle, counter to the drum's rotation direction, utilizing a structured surface to enhance turbulence and keep the mixture away from the drain opening, thus improving detergent dissolving without additional hardware or energy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If pumping systems are used to return detergent to the tub, then detergent losses are reduced, but device complexity and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the complex pumping system and return tank from the washing machine. Instead of using a pump to circulate detergent-rich free liquor back to the tub, the system simply drains the free liquor away, achieving detergent loss reduction through a much simpler configuration that requires no additional mechanical components.
Solution Approach 2:
The washing machine utilizes its existing drainage system to achieve detergent recovery. By directing the detergent-liquid mixture to flow along the drum shell and into the laundry during the wash cycle, the system allows the primary washing process itself to dissolve and distribute detergent effectively, eliminating the need for separate pump-and-return infrastructure.
2Loss of substance
If circulating pump is used to pump free liquor, then detergent dissolving is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the circulating pump from the system entirely. Instead of actively pumping free liquor to enhance detergent dissolving, the system relies on the natural flow of detergent-liquid mixture along the rotating drum shell and the mechanical action of the wash cycle itself to achieve effective detergent distribution and dissolution.
Solution Approach 2:
The washing machine's primary washing mechanism serves the dual function of both cleaning laundry and distributing detergent. The rotating drum naturally propels the detergent-liquid mixture along its surface and through the laundry, eliminating the need for separate energy-consuming pumping operations to achieve detergent dissolving.
3Loss of substance
If buoyant body is used to close drain opening, then detergent losses are prevented, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the buoyant body closure mechanism from the drain system. Instead of using a buoyant body to seal the drain opening and prevent detergent loss, the system allows free drainage while achieving detergent loss prevention through the controlled flow path of the detergent-liquid mixture along the drum shell and into the laundry during active washing.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a static sealing mechanism (buoyant body blocking drain) to a dynamic flow-controlled approach. The detergent-liquid mixture is directed to flow along the rotating drum shell and into the laundry during wash cycles, naturally preventing detergent loss through the washing action itself rather than mechanical sealing.
4Loss of substance
If detergent-liquid mixture flows against rotating drum shell, then detergent dissolving is enhanced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rotating drum shell serves multiple functions simultaneously: it performs the primary washing action by tumbling laundry, and it acts as a flow guide to propel the detergent-liquid mixture along its surface and through the laundry. This multi-functionality enhances detergent dissolving without requiring separate devices, as the existing drum structure is utilized for dual purposes.
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 method significantly enhances detergent dissolving efficiency with minimal material and energy outlay, allowing for effective detergent use without additional devices or energy costs, and can be implemented through software adjustments or program modifications.
Implementation Method 1
the detergent-liquid mixture flows in a jet against the moving drum shell... The drum is rotated in a preferred direction of rotation counter to the direction of flow of the introduced detergent-liquid mixture... if the surface of the laundry drum has a surface that intensifies the turbulence
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
To reduce detergent losses, the aim of the invention is to provide a method that can be implemented using few material resources, that does not require any additional energy and that permits detergents to be introduced into a programmable washing machine by means of a detergent-liquid mixture flowing onto the preferably cylindrical drum body (13) of a washing drum (4). To achieve this, the washing drum (4) is rotatably mounted about an at least approximately horizontal axis (14) in a tub (3) and the drum body (13) is provided with orifices (9). The detergent-liquid mixture flows in a stream (12) against the rotating drum body (13) in such a way that the stream (12) hits an area (15) of the drum body (13) at an oblique angle, said area lying in the upper quadrant of the cylindrical form of the drum. The washing drum (4) is driven in the preferred rotational direction (8) in such a way that the drum body (13) is displaced against the oncoming stream (12).