Washing Machine Multi-Level Nozzle Design for Even Laundry Wetting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional washing machines have limitations in evenly wetting laundry due to restricted nozzle direction and limited drum rotation control, which restricts the effectiveness of water circulation and spraying mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A washing machine design featuring a gasket with an annular guide pipe and multiple nozzles at different heights, allowing water to be sprayed at various directions and depths within the drum, with a pump capable of controlling flow rate and pressure to ensure thorough wetting even with large laundry loads.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a single or two nozzles are used for spraying water into the drum, then the structure is simple, but the laundry cannot be wet evenly due to restricted spraying direction
Solution Approach 1:
The single nozzle is segmented into multiple nozzles (upper nozzle, intermediate nozzles, lower nozzles) positioned at different heights and orientations within the drum. Each nozzle segment targets specific areas of the laundry, collectively achieving comprehensive and even wetting coverage that a single nozzle cannot provide.
Solution Approach 2:
The nozzles are arranged in three-dimensional space at different heights (upper, intermediate, lower levels) and angles within the drum. This spatial distribution transforms the spraying action from a single-direction constraint to multi-directional coverage, enabling water to reach laundry throughout the drum volume effectively.
2Productivity
If conventional drum rotation control is used, then the structure is simple, but remarkable improvement in washing performance cannot be expected
Solution Approach 1:
The drum rotation control system is made dynamic and adjustable, allowing variable rotation speeds and patterns to be implemented during different washing phases. This dynamic control enables optimization of washing performance for different fabric types and soil levels, transforming the static conventional system into an adaptive high-performance system.
Solution Approach 2:
The drum rotation parameters (speed, direction, acceleration patterns) are made variable and controllable. By changing these operational parameters during the washing cycle, the system achieves remarkable improvement in washing performance without requiring fundamental structural changes to the drum itself.
3Length of stationary object
If water is sprayed from limited heights, then the spray system is simple, but the water cannot reach deep positions inside the drum
Solution Approach 1:
The water spraying system is segmented vertically into multiple nozzle groups at different heights (upper, intermediate, lower nozzles). This segmentation allows water to be injected from multiple elevation levels, enabling deep penetration throughout the drum volume and ensuring that laundry at all depths receives adequate wetting.
Solution Approach 2:
The nozzle arrangement transitions from a single-level horizontal spray to a three-dimensional vertical distribution system. By positioning nozzles at multiple heights and orientations, the system achieves deep water penetration into the drum while maintaining structural integration through the gasket and guide pipe assembly.
4Manufacturing precision
If multiple nozzles at different heights are used, then water can reach deep positions and wet laundry evenly, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple nozzles at different heights are merged into a single integrated gasket structure with an embedded guide pipe. This consolidation combines what would otherwise be separate spray components into one unified assembly, reducing the number of discrete parts and simplifying installation while maintaining the multi-level spraying capability for even laundry wetting.
Solution Approach 2:
The gasket structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides sealing between the tub and drum, houses the guide pipe for water flow distribution, and integrates multiple nozzles for spraying. This multi-functionality reduces overall device complexity by eliminating the need for separate sealing and spraying components.
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 enables three-dimensional washing, ensures even wetting of laundry, and allows the water to reach deep into the drum, improving washing performance and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a pump which sends water discharged from the tub; a guide pipe which is fixed to the gasket, and forms an annular flow path for guiding water supplied from the pump
Implementation Method 2
capable of varying the flow rate (or water pressure) of water sprayed through the nozzles
Implementation Method 3
a plurality of nozzles which spray water supplied through the guide pipe into the drum
Data Source
AI summary
A washing machine includes: a casing, a tub, a drum, a cylindrical gasket connecting an input port of the casing to an opening of the tub, a pump configured to circulate water discharged from the tub; a guide pipe fixed to the gasket configured to guide water supplied from the pump, and nozzles configured to spray water from the guide pipe into the drum. The nozzles include an upper nozzle configured to spray water downward, intermediate nozzles disposed below the upper nozzle in both left and right sides and configured to spray water downward while spraying water deeper into the drum than the upper nozzle, and lower nozzles disposed above the inflow port, disposed below the intermediate nozzles in both left and right sides based on the inflow port and configured to spray water upward.