Washing Machine Drum Protrusions and Rotation Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional washing machines with lifters are limited by rotational speed due to factors like friction, impact, and laundry adherence, necessitating a method to enhance drum rotation speed while ensuring laundry drops and flows effectively.
Innovation Solution
A washing machine design featuring protrusions on the inner drum surface, with specific height and angle configurations, allowing laundry to flow without adhering at speeds above 60 rpm, utilizing a drum manufactured from stainless steel or synthetic resin with controlled rotation to induce rolling or tumbling motions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the drum is stopped during the washing process to allow users to add or remove clothes, then user convenience is improved, but the washing time is extended and energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit automatically detects when the drum has stopped rotating and proactively displays a prompt message to users, allowing them to add or remove clothes during the washing process. This preliminary notification eliminates the need for users to wait until the end of the washing cycle, improving convenience without significantly extending the overall washing time.
2Ease of operation
If the drum is stopped during the washing process to allow users to add or remove clothes, then user convenience is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit detects drum stoppage and displays prompt messages to users in advance, enabling them to add or remove clothes during washing. By providing timely notifications, the system minimizes unnecessary drum stoppages and allows users to complete their tasks efficiently, thereby reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining user convenience.
3Reliability
If a plurality of sensors are used to detect drum rotation, then detection reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The detection system is divided into two independent parts: a first sensor that detects drum rotation during the washing process and a second sensor that detects drum rotation during the drying process. Each sensor is optimized for its specific function, which improves overall detection reliability while keeping each individual sensor simple and avoiding the complexity of a single complex multi-functional sensor.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a washing machine configured to have a drum, into which cloth is loaded, that is rotated around a horizontal axis. The washing machine includes a plurality of protrusions which are extended in a front and rear direction on an inner circumferential surface of the drum, and are spaced along a circumferential direction, and the protrusion has a height protruding inwardly into the drum is 2.0 to 6.0% of a diameter of the drum.