Washing machine
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current drum-type washing machines suffer from inefficient water circulation, as most of the water is supplied only to the front part of the drum, leading to uneven washing and rinsing, and the gasket used to prevent leakage and jamming complicates assembly and manufacturing.
Innovation Solution
The washing machine incorporates a circulation nozzle system that sprays water along the rotation axis of the drum in a longitudinal direction, ensuring uniform water distribution and includes a steam generator for enhanced cleaning, with nozzles configured to provide water at varying pressures and angles for effective penetration during high-speed rotation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single nozzle is used to supply circulation water, then the structure is simple, but the water distribution uniformity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The circulation nozzle is divided into multiple nozzles (first circulation nozzle and second circulation nozzle) positioned at different locations. Each nozzle supplies water to different regions of the drum, achieving uniform water distribution across the entire drum surface while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
2Ease of manufacture
If the nozzle is mounted on the gasket, then the assembly is integrated, but the assembly complexity increases due to gasket deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The circulation nozzle is extracted from the gasket mounting location and repositioned to be directly mounted on the tub. This eliminates the problem of gasket deformation affecting nozzle positioning and water spray direction, while still achieving an integrated assembly through direct mounting on the tub structure.
3Device complexity
If water is supplied only to the front part of the drum, then the nozzle positioning is simple, but the washing efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The water supply function is segmented across multiple nozzles positioned at different locations (front and rear parts of the drum). The first circulation nozzle supplies water to the front part while the second circulation nozzle supplies water to the rear part, ensuring comprehensive and uniform water distribution across the entire drum for improved washing efficiency.
4Reliability
If the gasket includes jam preventing member, then the jam prevention function is provided, but the manufacturing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The jam preventing function is extracted from the gasket and integrated into the circulation nozzle structure. The circulation nozzle itself serves as the jam preventing member, eliminating the need for separate jam preventing features in the gasket and reducing gasket manufacturing complexity and time while maintaining effective jam prevention.
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 design improves washing and rinsing efficiency by uniformly wetting laundry, maintaining water levels to reduce rotation resistance, and simplifies assembly by eliminating the need for complex gaskets, while allowing for efficient steam integration.
Implementation Method 1
at least one circulation nozzle for spraying the wash water, supplied by the circulation unit, inwardly of the drum along a rotation axis of the drum in a longitudinal direction of the drum
Implementation Method 2
a circulation unit for circulating wash water in the inner lower part of the tub through the upper part of the tub
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3(a)~4
AI summary
A washing machine includes a cabinet (10) constituting the external appearance of the washing machine, a tub (20) mounted in the cabinet (10) for receiving wash water, a drum (30) rotatably mounted in the tub for receiving laundry to be washed, a circulation unit (40) for circulating wash water in the inner lower part of the tub (20) through the upper part of the tub (20), and at least one circulation nozzle (100) for spraying the wash water, supplied by the circulation unit (40), inwardly of the drum (30) along a rotation axis of the drum (30) in a longitudinal direction of the drum (30). According to the present invention, it is possible to improve washing or rinsing efficiency of the washing machine.