Washing machine and control method thereof
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional washing machines face challenges in efficiently transmitting high-concentration wash liquid to laundry due to high water consumption and structural limitations, which hinder effective washing efficiency and require excessive energy for warm or hot water.
Innovation Solution
A washing machine design that utilizes bubble generation and drum rotation to increase the volume of wash liquid without additional water, with a control method that adjusts bubble generation time and drum rotation velocity to optimize wash liquid transmission, allowing for efficient use of water and energy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If water is supplied to fill the space between the water tub and the drum to perform washing, then washing operation can be performed, but water consumption increases and a large amount of detergent is used
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state of water from liquid to vapor by heating it to generate steam. This phase transition allows the washing machine to perform washing operations without filling the space between the water tub and drum with liquid water, thereby reducing water consumption while maintaining effective washing through the action of steam and bubbles
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses steam (vapor phase) instead of liquid water to perform the washing function. The steam is generated by heating water and then introduced into the washing chamber where it condenses and creates bubbles that effectively transmit detergent to the laundry, achieving washing with minimal liquid water
2Productivity
If a large amount of water is supplied to transmit wash liquid to laundry at the center of the washing machine, then washing efficiency can be improved, but water consumption and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms water into steam through heating, and then the steam condenses to form bubbles that rise and burst on the laundry surface. This phase change mechanism allows wash liquid to be transmitted effectively to laundry at the center without requiring a large volume of water, as the bubbles naturally distribute the detergent solution uniformly
Solution Approach 2:
The rapid formation and bursting of steam-generated bubbles creates a dynamic action that effectively transmits wash liquid to the laundry. The bubble generation process creates intense local mixing and penetration forces that distribute detergent to laundry at the center without requiring excessive water volume
3Productivity
If water level is raised without additional water to transmit wash liquid to laundry, then washing efficiency improves, but it is difficult to raise water level due to structural characteristics
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses phase transition of water (liquid to vapor to liquid again through condensation) to increase the volume of wash liquid without adding more water. The steam occupies a larger volume than the original liquid water, and when it condenses back to liquid form, it creates bubbles that expand and burst, effectively raising the water level and distributing wash liquid throughout the washing chamber
Solution Approach 2:
The patent exploits the phase transition of water from liquid to vapor and back to liquid through condensation. This phase change allows the same mass of water to occupy different volumes at different stages, enabling the water level to be raised without additional water input. The steam generation and condensation process naturally creates the volume expansion needed to reach laundry at the center
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 approach effectively transmits high-concentration wash liquid to laundry, minimizing water usage and energy consumption while improving washing efficiency by raising the water level and increasing the volume of wash liquid, thus enhancing the washing process.
Implementation Method 1
the circulation unit is controlled to generate bubbles in a wash liquid obtained by mixing the water and the detergent
Implementation Method 2
A circulation unit (50) to circulate the water supplied into the water tub (11)
Implementation Method 3
a cylindrical drum (12) rotatably mounted in the water tub (11) to receive laundry... to lift the laundry in the drum along the inner wall of the drum and drop the lifted laundry
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
Disclosed herein are a washing machine and a control method thereof. The control method effectively transmits high-concentration wash liquid to laundry, while minimizing the amount of water used, through washing using bubbles, and maximizes the increase in volume of the wash liquid rubbed on the inner circumferential surface of the drum using the generation of bubbles and the rotation of the drum to raise the water level of the wash liquid without additional water.