Washing machine and method for operating a washing machine
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing washing machines with single pumps face operational challenges due to air or suds, leading to discontinuous operation and requiring complex pump constructions, which complicates efficient venting and energy usage.
Innovation Solution
A washing machine with a water routing system incorporating an adjustable pressure-reducing device connected to the controller, allowing for adaptive water pressure settings between 2 bar and 8 bar, enabling efficient operation and simplifying the pump design by utilizing external water pressure for tasks like filter backflushing without needing a high-pressure pump.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single pump is used in the washing machine, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability deteriorates due to air or suds causing discontinuous operation
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the venting function from the pump system by providing a separate vent line that connects the pump inlet region to the drum-receiving container. This allows air and suds to be vented independently through the vent line rather than requiring a complex pump construction designed to handle air-suds mixtures, thereby maintaining reliable continuous pump operation while keeping the pump construction simple.
2Productivity
If high water pressure (5-8 bar) is used for filter backflushing, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but device complexity increases requiring a high-pressure pump
Solution Approach 1:
The invention makes the water supply system multi-functional by using it for both normal water admission (at low pressure 2-3 bar) and filter backflushing (at high pressure 5-8 bar). The adjustable pressure-reducing device allows the system to switch between these functions by adjusting pressure settings, eliminating the need for a separate high-pressure pump and maintaining simple pump construction while achieving effective filter cleaning.
3Reliability
If fixed pressure reduction (2-3 bar) is used, then pump protection is improved, but adaptability deteriorates for different washing phases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention transforms the static fixed pressure-reducing device into a dynamic adjustable one. The pressure-reducing device can be adjusted between different pressure settings (2-3 bar for normal operation, 5-8 bar for filter backflushing) based on the washing machine's operational phase. This dynamic adaptability allows the system to optimize pump protection during normal operation while enabling high-pressure filter cleaning when needed, all controlled by the washing machine controller.
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 solution ensures reliable and energy-efficient operation by protecting the washing machine components from excessive pressure, allowing for adaptive water pressure settings that simplify the design and reduce energy consumption, particularly during rinsing and filter cleaning processes.
Implementation Method 1
The water routing system has an adjustable pressure-reducing device arranged between, on the one hand, the water inlet into the washing machine and, on the other hand, the pump and/or the injection device
Implementation Method 2
a filter for filtering water flowing through it
Implementation Method 3
a pump connected by way of water lines, on the one hand, to the container outlet and, on the other hand, to the injection device
Data Source
AI summary
A washing machine has a drum-receiving container and a rotatable drum therein and a water routing system which has a water inlet from an external water supply into the washing machine, water lines and valves, as well as a water outlet from the washing machine. An injection device for water into the drum, a container outlet at the bottom of the drum-receiving container, a pump, a filter and a washing machine controller are provided. The water routing system drive has an adjustable pressure-reducing device arranged between, on the one hand, the water inlet into the washing machine and, on the other hand, the pump and/or the injection device. The pressure-reducing device is connected, for adjustment, to the washing machine controller.