Rotating Basket Recesses for Washing Machine Water Volume Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing washing machines for wet textile processes consume excessive water due to their rectilinear geometry, leading to increased energy use and longer process times, with no significant optimization to reduce the volume of water necessary for proper wetting.
Innovation Solution
A washing machine design featuring a rotating basket and housing with a non-rectilinear, complementary shape, including recesses and a serrated pattern, which reduces the volume of water required for effective wetting by optimizing the interspace and maintaining the necessary water level within the basket.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a rectilinear housing and rotating basket geometry is used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the volume of water required for proper wetting is excessive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies curvature by replacing the rectilinear geometry with a cylindrical rotating basket and correspondingly shaped housing. This curved geometry allows the water to be contained more efficiently within the interspace, reducing the overall water volume required while maintaining the necessary working level inside the basket for proper textile wetting.
2Device complexity
If the interspace volume is increased, then the housing structure is simpler, but the water consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cylindrical geometry of both the housing and rotating basket creates a naturally optimized interspace that minimizes water volume. The curved surfaces allow for a compact arrangement where the interspace is reduced to the minimum necessary for structural purposes, thereby reducing water consumption without requiring complex structural modifications.
Data Source
Figure 1~1b
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A washing machine (4), comprising a containment housing (8), a basket (12) being rotatable around a rotation axis (X-X), arranged within the containment housing (8), defining an interspace (24) between the rotating basket (12) and the containment housing (8), the side wall (16) of the rotating basket (12) having through holes (32) fluidly connecting the interspace (24) with the cavity (20). The rotating basket (12) is axial-symmetrical with respect to the rotation axis (X-X) and, on a cross-section plane passing through said rotation axis (X-X), the side wall (16) has at least one recess (36) with respect to a bottom wall (40) of said basket (12) having a maximum radius with respect to the rotation axis (X-X), said recess (36) having a radial depth (44) with respect to the bottom wall (40) and defining with the bottom wall (40) a radial seat (48) suitable to collect liquid. The containment housing (8) is counter-shaped with respect to said side wall (16).