Washing machine
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional washing machines with multiple nozzles face challenges in evenly soaking laundry due to limited spraying direction, increased complexity in structure and manufacturing, potential water leaks, and hygiene issues from detergent coagulation, along with increased operation time and flow resistance.
Innovation Solution
A washing machine design featuring a gasket with press-fit nozzle water supply conduits that eliminate the need for binding members, reduce operation time, and minimize flow resistance, while maintaining uniform water spray distribution through strategically positioned nozzles and balancers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If binding members are used to fix the nozzle water supply conduit to the gasket, then the connection is secured, but the operation time increases due to one-by-one tightening
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the binding member from the connection system between the nozzle water supply conduit and the gasket. The conduit is directly integrated into the gasket structure, eliminating the need for separate fastening components and their associated tightening operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The nozzle water supply conduit is merged with the gasket structure, forming an integrated assembly. The conduit passes through the gasket and is secured by the gasket's own structure rather than external binding members, combining two previously separate components into one unified structure.
2Reliability
If the gasket portion covered by the binding member protrudes more than the binding member width, then the binding is effective, but the conduit must be bent causing flow resistance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the binding member and its associated protrusion requirement from the design. The conduit is routed and secured within the gasket structure itself, eliminating the need for the gasket to protrude beyond a certain width for binding purposes.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of making the gasket protrude to accommodate a binding member, the patent inverts the approach by having the binding function integrated within the gasket's normal structure. The conduit is secured by the gasket's inherent structure rather than by external protruding elements.
3Reliability
If multiple connection portions are provided between the circulation conduit, nozzle water supply conduits, and nozzles, then water supply is ensured, but water leaks and hygiene problems occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the circulation conduit, nozzle water supply conduits, and nozzles into a more integrated assembly with reduced connection interfaces. By consolidating these components and their connections, the number of potential leakage points is minimized while maintaining adequate water supply to all nozzles.
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 reduces operation time, prevents nozzle separation, minimizes flow resistance, ensures uniform water distribution, and enhances hygiene by eliminating the need for binding members and reducing structural complexity.
Implementation Method 1
a press-fit protrusion that press-fits into a port insertion conduit formed in the gasket to prevent separation of the nozzle water supply conduit from the gasket
Implementation Method 2
a pump that pumps water discharged from the tub; a circulation conduit that guides the water pumped by the pump; a plurality of nozzles that spray the water guided through the circulation conduit into the drum
Implementation Method 3
a plurality of nozzles that spray the water guided through the circulation conduit into the drum
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3
AI summary
A washing machine includes: a casing (10) having an input port (12h) formed on a front surface thereof through which laundry is inputted; a tub (31) which is disposed in the casing (10) to contain fluid and has an opening formed on a front surface thereof, which communicates with the input port (12h); a drum (32) which is rotatably disposed in the tub (31) and contains the laundry; a pump (36) which pumps water discharged from the tub (31); a gasket (60) which communicates the input port (12h) and the opening of the tub and has a plurality of nozzles (610b-e) provided in an inner circumferential portion thereof for spraying water into the drum (32); and a nozzle water supply conduit (70) which guides the water pumped by the pump (36) to the plurality of nozzles (610b-e), wherein the nozzle water supply conduit (70) comprises: a transfer conduit (71) which is disposed in an outer circumference of the gasket (60) and into which the water pumped by the pump (36) flows; and a plurality of nozzle water supply ports (72b-e) which are protruded from the transfer conduit (71) and supply water guided through the transfer conduit (71) to the plurality of nozzles (610b-e).