Washing Machine Gradual Spin-Drying to Reduce Foam and Motor Strain
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Solution Overview
Problem
Washing machines experience deteriorated rinsing and spin-drying performance when load capacity is exceeded or when laundry items that absorb a lot of water are used, leading to difficulty in water discharge and detergent removal due to excessive foam formation.
Innovation Solution
A control unit in the washing machine executes a gradual water releasing step with drum rotation in both clockwise and counterclockwise directions, followed by a gradual spin-drying step at a speed lower than the standard spin-drying speed but higher than resonance speed, facilitating water removal and foam reduction, and operates the discharge pump intermittently to enhance detergent discharge.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the drum rotates at high speed during spin-drying, then water removal efficiency is improved, but the motor is strained and the desired spin speed cannot be reached when laundry absorbs plenty of water
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing a water releasing step before the spin-drying step. During this preliminary step, the drum rotates at washing speed (not spin-drying speed) to redistribute laundry and facilitate water discharge. This preliminary redistribution prevents excessive motor strain during the subsequent high-speed spin-drying by ensuring water is removed more evenly from the laundry load.
2Productivity
If too much detergent is used, then washing effectiveness is improved, but excessive foam formation prevents the discharge pump from operating effectively
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by executing a water releasing step before the spin-drying step. During this preliminary step, the drum rotates at washing speed to facilitate water discharge while the discharge pump operates intermittently. This preliminary water discharge removes excessive foam and detergent residue before the high-speed spin-drying begins, preventing foam interference with pump operation during the main spin cycle.
3Speed
If the drum rotates continuously at high speed, then spin-drying speed is improved, but rinsing performance deteriorates because detergent cannot be removed from the laundry
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the spin-drying process into two distinct phases: a water releasing step at washing speed followed by a spin-drying step at high speed. The water releasing step segments the water removal function from the high-speed rotation, allowing detergent and excess water to be discharged at lower speeds before the main spin-drying begins, thereby improving rinsing performance while maintaining efficient spin-drying speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing the water releasing step before the spin-drying step. During this preliminary phase, the drum rotates at washing speed and the discharge pump operates intermittently to remove water and detergent residue. This preliminary action ensures detergent is removed from laundry before the high-speed spin-drying begins, improving rinsing performance while maintaining efficient spin-drying speed.
4Productivity
If the load capacity is exceeded, then productivity is improved, but rinsing water per laundry load unit becomes insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies continuity of useful action by operating the discharge pump intermittently during the water releasing step. This continuous water discharge action, combined with drum rotation at washing speed, ensures thorough water and detergent removal from the laundry load before the spin-drying phase begins, compensating for reduced rinsing water availability when load capacity is exceeded.
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 approach minimizes the adverse effects on rinsing and spin-drying performance by effectively removing water and detergent, ensuring a more uniform spin-drying profile and improved rinsing efficiency even under challenging conditions.
Implementation Method 1
the drum is rotated in the washing speed at least once in clockwise and at least once in counterclockwise direction
Implementation Method 2
water discharge process
Implementation Method 3
the discharge pump is operated intermittently in the water releasing step
Implementation Method 4
gradual spin-drying step wherein the drum is rotated successively, for a short time, at a speed significantly much lower than the spin-drying step of the drum but at a speed greater than the resonance speed
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
AI summary
The washing machine (1 ) of the present invention comprises a drum (2) wherein the laundry to be washed is placed, and a control unit (3) which executes the washing program, consisting of main washing, rinsing and spin-drying steps, at the spin speed determined by the producer according to the washing program that is selected by the user.