Washing Machine Multi-Nozzle Gasket Design for Even Drum Wetting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional washing machines with single or dual nozzles restrict the even distribution of water, limiting the effectiveness of laundry washing due to restricted water spray direction and inability to reach deep inside the drum, especially when dealing with large loads.
Innovation Solution
A washing machine design featuring a cylindrical gasket with an annular guide pipe and multiple nozzles at different heights, including an upper, intermediate, and lower nozzle configuration, which spray water downward and upward, ensuring thorough wetting of laundry even in large loads, with the ability to control water pressure and flow rate.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single or two nozzles are used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the water spray direction is restricted and laundry cannot be wet evenly
Solution Approach 1:
The single nozzle is segmented into multiple nozzles (first nozzle, second nozzle, third nozzle, fourth nozzle) positioned at different locations and orientations around the drum interior. This segmentation allows water to be sprayed from multiple directions simultaneously, achieving even wetting of laundry throughout the drum while maintaining a manageable device complexity through modular nozzle design.
Solution Approach 2:
The nozzles are positioned at different vertical heights (upper, intermediate, lower levels) and angular orientations around the drum circumference. This three-dimensional arrangement of nozzles enables water spray to cover the entire drum volume effectively, transforming the single-direction spray into multi-directional coverage that achieves uniform wetting without requiring an excessive number of nozzles.
2Device complexity
If conventional nozzle structure is used, then the device complexity is low, but water cannot reach deep positions inside the drum
Solution Approach 1:
The nozzle system incorporates adjustable spray angles and orientations, allowing the water spray direction to be dynamically optimized for reaching deep positions inside the drum. The nozzles are positioned at various angles relative to the drum axis, enabling water jets to penetrate deeper into the laundry load while maintaining a relatively simple nozzle structure without requiring complex mechanical adjustment mechanisms.
3Device complexity
If conventional nozzle arrangement is used, then the device complexity is low, but even wetting of laundry in large loads cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The nozzle system is segmented into multiple nozzles distributed at different vertical heights (upper, intermediate, lower) and circumferential positions around the drum. This segmentation ensures that water spray reaches all regions of the drum including deep positions, achieving even wetting of large laundry loads while maintaining reasonable device complexity through systematic arrangement of the segmented nozzles.
4Ease of manufacture
If the guide pipe is not securely fixed, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the guide pipe may detach during drum rotation
Solution Approach 1:
The guide pipe is divided into multiple sections that can be separately manufactured and then assembled together. This segmentation allows each section to be easily manufactured with standardized connection interfaces, simplifying the overall manufacturing process. The modular segmented structure also enables reliable fixation through multiple connection points distributed along the guide pipe length, preventing detachment during drum rotation while maintaining ease of manufacture.
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 allows for three-dimensional washing, ensuring even wetting of laundry, reaching deep into the drum, and maintaining effective washing performance even with large loads, while the guide pipe's secure fixation prevents detachment during drum rotation.
Implementation Method 1
a pump that sends water discharged from the tub; a guide pipe that 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
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed is a washing machine comprising: a casing (10) having an input port (12h), which is formed on a front surface of the casing, for inputting laundry; a tub (31) which is disposed in the casing and contains washing water, and has an opened front surface communicating with the input port; a drum (40) which is rotatably disposed in the tub, and contains the laundry; a cylindrical gasket (60) which communicates the input port with an opening of the tub; a pump (36) which sends water discharged from the tub; a guide pipe (71) which is fixed to the gasket (60), and forms an annular flow path for guiding water supplied from the pump; and a plurality of nozzles (610) which spray water supplied through the guide pipe into the drum, wherein the plurality of nozzles comprises: an upper nozzle which spray water downward; a pair of intermediate nozzles which are disposed below the upper nozzle, disposed in both left and right sides based on an inflow port of the guide pipe into which the water supplied by the pump flows, and spray water downward while spraying water deeper into the drum than the upper nozzle; and a pair of lower nozzles disposed above the inflow port, disposed below the intermediate nozzle, and disposed in both left and right sides based on the inflow port, and spray water upward.