Washing machine
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional washing machines, such as pulsator and drum types, face limitations in enhancing washing efficiency due to minimal friction between the inner surface and laundry, which restricts the effectiveness of wash water introduction and discharge.
Innovation Solution
A washing machine design featuring a washing tub with a patterned inner surface, including concentric protrusion and recessed portions, and strategically arranged drain holes, which enhances friction and tumbling action to improve washing efficiency and dehydration rates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If drain holes are arranged at the inner surface of the washing tub, then water can be introduced and discharged, but friction between the inner surface and laundry is not significant, limiting washing efficiency enhancement
Solution Approach 1:
The inner surface of the washing tub is equipped with protrusion portions at specific locations (circumferential and axial directions) to create localized high-friction zones. These protrusions concentrate frictional action where most needed for washing efficiency while maintaining smooth areas elsewhere for proper water flow and drainage functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The protrusion portions are designed with curved, rounded surfaces that better conform to the cylindrical geometry of the washing tub. This curvature increases the contact area and friction between the laundry and tub surface, enhancing the tumbling action and washing efficiency compared to flat or angular protrusions.
2Productivity
If the washing tub structure is modified to enhance friction, then washing efficiency improves, but the structural stiffness of the drum may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The washing tub surface is segmented into multiple discrete protrusion portions distributed around the circumference and along the axial direction. This segmentation allows friction-enhancing features to be added without requiring complete surface modification, preserving overall structural integrity and stiffness while achieving enhanced washing performance at critical locations.
Solution Approach 2:
The protrusion portions are integrated directly into the washing tub wall structure during manufacturing, merging the friction-enhancing features with the structural components. This integration ensures that the protrusions become part of the load-bearing structure, maintaining drum stiffness while providing enhanced friction surfaces for washing.
3Productivity
If concentric protrusion and recessed portions are added to the washing tub, then friction and tumbling action are enhanced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The concentric protrusion and recessed portions serve multiple functions simultaneously: they enhance friction between laundry and tub surface, create tumbling action through asymmetric geometry, and facilitate water drainage through the recessed areas. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, offsetting the increased structural complexity with enhanced operational efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The protrusion portions are arranged in concentric patterns with multiple rings at different radial positions, creating a nested structural configuration. This nesting approach maximizes the friction and tumbling effects within the available space without requiring excessive material or complex external additions to the washing tub.
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 patterned design increases friction between laundry and the tub, improving washing efficiency and preventing dehydration bottlenecks by optimizing the flow of wash water and tumbling action, while also enhancing the structural stiffness of the drum.
Implementation Method 1
the pattern includes a first protrusion portion which is provided at a central portion of the pattern and protrudes toward one side of the washing tub, at least one second protrusion portion which is expanded to surround the first protrusion portion and protrudes toward one side of the washing tub
Implementation Method 2
at least one drain hole disposed to share at least a portion of the recessed portion
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A washing machine includes a washing drum (30) to allow enhancement in washing efficiency. Since a washing drum (30) of the washing machine includes a pattern having a protrusion portion (41), it may be possible to generate friction force between laundry and the washing drum (30) and to thereby increase washing efficiency. Since the pattern (40) has a concave-convex structure and performs action similar to a lifter, washing efficiency may be enhanced using tumbling generated by the pattern. Since a plurality of drain holes (43) are arranged in a certain pattern in the washing drum (30), it may be possible to prevent a dehydration bottleneck phenomenon in which dehydration is concentrated at a particular drain hole and to increase a dehydration rate. Since the pattern (40) is provided such that protrusion portions (41) and recessed portions (42) continue on the surface of the washing tub, it may be possible to enhance stiffness of the washing tub.