Washing machine and method for operating a washing machine
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Solution Overview
Problem
In washing machines, the detergent often remains inside the door's flushing channel due to blockage by laundry items, preventing it from reaching the drum during the flushing process.
Innovation Solution
The washing machine design includes a controller that centrifuges the laundry prior to and/or during the flushing process, creating a free space in the drum and allowing water with detergent to be effectively flushed from the door's channel into the drum.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If detergent is stored in the flushing channel of the door, then detergent can be conveniently supplied to the drum, but laundry items block the flushing channel and prevent detergent from reaching the drum
Solution Approach 1:
The controller performs preliminary centrifugal action by rotating the drum at high speed before the flushing process to clear the flushing channel of laundry items, ensuring the channel is unblocked and ready for reliable detergent delivery
2Reliability
If the drum is rotated at high speed to clear the flushing channel, then detergent can reach the drum effectively, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller implements periodic action by rotating the drum at high speed only during specific periods (before and during flushing) and at lower speeds during other washing phases, reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining effective detergent delivery when needed
3Reliability
If water is supplied to the flushing channel during centrifuging, then detergent is effectively flushed into the drum, but water may be wasted if not properly controlled
Solution Approach 1:
The controller uses feedback control to monitor the flushing process and adjust water supply accordingly, ensuring water is supplied only when the flushing channel is clear and detergent needs to be delivered, preventing water waste while maintaining effective flushing
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 that the detergent-water mixture reaches the drum unhindered, achieving an even distribution over the laundry, thereby enhancing the washing efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
laundry located in the drum is centrifuged prior to and/or during a flushing process. This creates a free space in the middle of the drum
Implementation Method 2
water is supplied to the drum through the flushing channel, so as to flush the detergent located in the flushing channel into the drum
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a washing machine and method for operating a washing machine. The washing machine includes a liquid container for receiving water, a drum which is rotatably mounted in the liquid container for receiving laundry, a loading opening for filling the drum with the laundry, and a door for closing the loading opening, the door having a flushing channel for storing detergent. A motor drives the drum, and a controller is designed and configured so as to control a process of carrying out a wash program such that laundry located in the drum is centrifuged prior to and/or during a flushing process, so as to control the flushing process such that the water is supplied to the flushing channel so that the detergent is flushed into the drum.