Washing machine and washing method
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional washing machines are inefficient in delivering high concentrations of detergent for pre-treatment of heavily stained garments, leading to increased energy and water consumption, waste, and ineffective stain removal, especially in vertical axis machines.
Innovation Solution
A washing machine cycle that introduces a concentrated detergent solution directly into the basket to dampen articles without soaking, followed by a holding period and subsequent wash cycle, allowing for high-temperature treatments without excessive energy use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If conventional washing machines deliver detergent solution in large volumes of water to fill the void between basket and drum, then the drum is properly filled for washing, but the detergent concentration becomes too dilute for effective pre-treatment of stains
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by delivering detergent solution directly to the articles before the main wash cycle begins, pre-treating stains in advance. The solution is introduced onto the articles during a pretreatment phase, allowing detergent to act on stains before the bulk water fill occurs, thus achieving high concentration contact without requiring large volumes of water to be present simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by concentrating the detergent solution specifically at the location of the articles where it is needed for stain removal, rather than distributing it uniformly throughout the large drum volume. The solution is delivered directly onto the articles or into the basket, creating a localized high-concentration zone that maximizes detergent efficacy where required.
2Reliability
If high concentrations of detergent are applied to stains through direct application methods, then stain removal effectiveness improves, but product cost and consumer exposure increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by automating the direct application process through the washing machine's own delivery system. The machine automatically meters and delivers the required amount of detergent solution onto the articles during the pretreatment phase, eliminating the need for consumers to manually apply product. This ensures precise dosing, reduces waste, and minimizes consumer exposure while maintaining effective stain removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the washing machine's detergent delivery system as an intermediary to transfer detergent from the dispensing mechanism to the articles. This intermediary system provides controlled application, ensuring that detergent is delivered at the correct concentration and location, thereby achieving effective stain removal with optimized product usage and reduced waste.
3Reliability
If prewash cycles are used to pre-treat stains, then stain removal improves, but program duration and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the pre-treatment function from the traditional prewash cycle structure. Instead of running a separate prewash cycle with full drum operation, the invention delivers detergent solution directly onto the articles during a simplified pretreatment phase, then proceeds directly to the main wash. This extracts the essential pre-treatment action from the cumbersome prewash cycle framework, achieving stain removal without the extended duration and energy consumption of conventional prewash cycles.
4Reliability
If large volumes of detergent solution are used for pre-treatment, then stain removal effectiveness improves, but waste and foaming problems increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by delivering detergent solution directly onto the articles rather than filling the entire drum volume. This partial application provides sufficient detergent contact for effective stain removal without the excessive water volumes that lead to over-production of foam. The detergent concentration is concentrated where needed on the articles, achieving effective pre-treatment with minimized total water usage and reduced foaming issues during the subsequent main wash cycle.
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 method achieves effective stain removal with reduced detergent and water usage, minimizing waste and energy consumption while providing comparable results to direct product application.
Implementation Method 1
the volume of detergent solution used is sufficient to dampen the articles, but the cycle does not include soaking the articles. In other words, during the power treatment there is no or substantially no free solution in the drum: all or substantially all of the solution is absorbed by the articles
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The invention relates to a washing and a washing machine for implementing same, wherein said washing machine is configured to provide a cycle comprising the step of spraying into the washing machine basket (1) a detergent solution (6) so as to dampen the articles (2) in the basket (1), followed by a holding period in which no water (11) or further detergent solution (6) is added to the basket (1).