Washing Machine Drain-Line Branching for Rinsing Fluid Recovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing washing machines require complex component configurations and additional pumps to recover rinsing liquid, which increases manufacturing costs and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A washing machine design where the return line branches off from the drain line downstream of the tub, allowing for gravity-fed rinsing liquid recovery or active pumping by the drain pump, reducing the need for additional components and simplifying manufacturing technology.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a return line is connected directly to the tub for rinsing liquid recovery, then liquid recovery efficiency is improved, but the number of access openings and sealing elements increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the return line connection from the tub by branching it off from the drain line downstream of the tub. This separates the liquid recovery function from the tub structure, eliminating the need for additional access openings and sealing elements in the tub while maintaining effective rinsing liquid recovery through the branched return line connection.
2Power
If additional pumps are added for active rinsing liquid pumping, then liquid circulation capability is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention makes the drain pump multi-functional by enabling it to perform both draining and active rinsing liquid pumping functions. Through controlled activation, the single drain pump handles multiple liquid transfer tasks, eliminating the need for separate pumping components and reducing overall device complexity while maintaining adequate liquid circulation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The drain pump serves itself by being programmed to perform multiple functions including rinsing liquid pumping. The control unit activates the existing drain pump at appropriate times to pump rinsing liquid from the storage tank back to the tub, eliminating the need for dedicated pumping components and reducing manufacturing costs.
3Ease of manufacture
If the storage tank is positioned below the tub for gravity-fed recovery, then component outlay is reduced, but flexible positioning capability is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces dynamic positioning capability through the active pumping function. The storage tank can be positioned flexibly at various heights within the washing machine, and the control unit dynamically activates the drain pump to compensate for gravitational effects, enabling liquid transfer regardless of the storage tank's vertical position relative to the tub.
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 design achieves water-saving rinsing liquid recovery with reduced component outlay and simplified manufacturing, while allowing for flexible storage tank positioning and efficient liquid circulation.
Implementation Method 1
a drain pump connected into the drain line, and which pumps liquid from the tub
Implementation Method 2
a circulation pump, the suction side of which is connected to the storage container and the pressure side of which opens into the tub
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
The invention relates to a washing machine comprising a liquor container (1), in which a washing drum (3) is disposed in a rotating manner and which is connected to a discharge line (5), and further comprising a storage container (7) having a flow connection to the liquor container (1) via a return line (9), rinsing fluid being stored in said storage container for renewed feeding. According to the invention, the return line (9) is branched off from the discharge line (5) downstream of the liquor container (1).