Washing Machine Flow-Path Conversion Pump for Detergent Inlet Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Clothes treating apparatuses face issues with detergent inlet contamination and incomplete detergent usage, leading to cleanliness concerns and inefficient detergent distribution during the washing process.
Innovation Solution
A clothes treating apparatus equipped with a flow-path conversion pump that autonomously supplies and recirculates washing water to dissolve detergents and maintain cleanliness, minimizing flow loss and leakage by using a diaphragm and motor-impeller system to switch between flow paths.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If detergent is placed in the detergent inlet during washing operation, then detergent dissolves and distributes to laundry, but detergent accumulates in the detergent inlet and causes contamination of laundry
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary rinsing of the detergent inlet using clean water from the water collector before the main washing cycle begins. This preliminary action prevents detergent accumulation and contamination by clearing the detergent inlet of residual detergent particles that would otherwise dissolve and contaminate subsequent laundry loads.
Solution Approach 2:
The system recovers clean water from the water collector and reuses it to rinse the detergent inlet. Instead of discarding this water, it is redirected through the detergent inlet to clean accumulated detergent, then the rinsed water is discharged. This prevents contamination while maximizing water utility.
2Productivity
If washing water is sprayed to dissolve detergent, then detergent distribution improves, but water flow loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system recovers washing water in the water collector and reuses it for rinsing the detergent inlet and for dissolving detergent in subsequent cycles. This recovery mechanism reduces water loss by maintaining a reservoir of clean water that can be repeatedly utilized rather than being discarded after single-use.
Solution Approach 2:
The washing water in the water collector serves multiple functions: it can be used to rinse the detergent inlet, dissolve detergent powder, spray onto laundry for washing, or be discharged. This multi-functionality reduces overall water consumption and minimizes loss by maximizing the utility of each unit of water.
3Productivity
If a flow-path conversion pump is used to supply water to multiple flow paths, then water circulation efficiency improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flow-path conversion pump uses a movable partition wall that can dynamically shift between different positions to convert a single pump body into multiple flow paths. This dynamic structure allows one pump to perform the work of multiple pumps, improving water circulation efficiency while avoiding the complexity of assembling multiple separate pump units.
Solution Approach 2:
The pump body is designed as an integrated structure where the impeller chamber, water inlet, and multiple water outlets are merged into a single unit. The movable partition wall divides the impeller chamber to create different flow paths, combining the functions of multiple pumps into one device, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining high circulation efficiency.
4Adaptability or versatility
If a movable partition wall is used to convert flow paths, then water flow direction control improves, but assembly difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The movable partition wall is integrated directly into the pump body structure, forming an unified component rather than a separate assembly. This merging of the partition wall with the pump body simplifies manufacturing and assembly, as the partition wall becomes an inherent part of the pump casting or molding process, eliminating the need for separate installation steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable partition wall is designed to be easily movable within the pump body, allowing simple manual or automated adjustment between positions. This dynamic design enables straightforward assembly and disassembly, and the movement mechanism is incorporated into the basic pump structure, reducing assembly complexity while maintaining versatile flow path control capability.
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
The solution effectively maintains cleanliness by spraying washing water at high pressure, reuses water for detergent dissolution, minimizes flow loss, and simplifies assembly, preventing backflow and contamination, thus ensuring efficient detergent distribution and effective washing.
Implementation Method 1
a flow-path conversion pump configured to receive the washing water from the water-collecting container and supply the washing water selectively to the washing line or the circulation line
Implementation Method 2
a spray nozzle configured to spray washing water to the detergent drawer compartments
Implementation Method 3
a diaphragm disposed in the internal space of the flow-path switch to separate the first inlet and the second inlet and separate the first outlet and the second outlet
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a clothes treating apparatus including a drum configured to receive laundry, a tub in which the drum is built, a main body in which the drum and the tub are disposed, detergent drawer compartments provided in the main body to be withdrawn from or inserted in the main body, a spray nozzle configured to spray washing water to the detergent drawer compartments, a water-collecting container disposed below the tub to receive the washing water, a washing line configured to supply the washing water of the water-collecting container to the spray nozzle, a circulation line configured to supply the washing water of the water-collecting container into the drum, and a flow-path conversion pump configured to receive the washing water from the water-collecting container and supply the washing water selectively to the washing line or the circulation line.