Washing Machine Bubble-Based Water Level Control to Reduce Consumption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional washing machines face challenges in efficiently transmitting wash liquid to laundry due to high water consumption and detergent inefficiency, leading to reduced washing efficiency and increased energy use.
Innovation Solution
A control method that utilizes bubble generation and drum rotation to raise the water level without additional water, effectively transmitting high-concentration wash liquid to laundry by circulating the wash liquid and adjusting drum rotation velocities to maximize volume and efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the space between the water tub and the drum is filled with water to perform washing, then washing can be performed, but water consumption is high 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 steam is then introduced into the drum to wet the laundry, replacing the conventional method of using liquid water. This parameter change (phase transition from liquid to vapor) dramatically reduces water consumption while maintaining washing effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses steam (gas phase) instead of liquid water to perform the washing function. The steam is generated in a separate chamber and introduced into the drum, utilizing gas-phase heat and moisture transfer to wet the laundry, thereby reducing the quantity of water needed
2Reliability
If a large amount of water is supplied to wet the laundry and detergent is added, then washing can be performed, but it is difficult to raise the water level without additional water and detergent transmission is inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses phase transition of water (liquid to vapor) to control moisture delivery. By generating steam and controlling its introduction into the drum, the system precisely controls the amount of moisture transferred to laundry without needing to physically raise water levels or manage large volumes of liquid water
3Productivity
If wash liquid is transmitted to laundry through drum rotation, then washing occurs, but water consumption is high and detergent concentration drops
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from liquid wash liquid to steam phase for detergent delivery. The steam carries detergent vapor or aerosolized detergent droplets, which condense directly on the laundry surface. This phase-based delivery mechanism maintains high detergent concentration at the point of application without dilution from large volumes of water
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses steam flow (gas phase) to transport detergent to the laundry, replacing liquid water-based detergent solutions. This pneumatic/hydraulic approach using vapor allows efficient detergent transmission with minimal water, maintaining high effective concentration
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 minimizes water usage while enhancing washing efficiency by ensuring effective transmission of wash liquid to laundry, reducing energy consumption and detergent requirements.
Implementation Method 1
circulating the wash liquid to raise the level of the wash liquid by the generation of the bubbles
Implementation Method 2
maximizes the increase in volume of wash liquid using the generation of bubbles and the rotation of a drum to raise the water level of the wash liquid without additional water
Data Source
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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.