Method for treating laundry in a laundry washing machine and laundry washing machine

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing laundry washing machines often result in non-homogeneous distribution of rinse additives, leading to uneven treatment of laundry items and potential stains, especially when using concentrated or super-concentrated forms.

Innovation Solution

A method involving a recirculation circuit in the washing machine that dilutes rinse additives at the bottom of the washing tub before reintroducing them into the drum, ensuring a homogeneous mixture is absorbed by the laundry.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If rinse additive is added directly to the drum without dilution, then the treatment effect on laundry is enhanced, but non-homogeneous distribution occurs leading to stains and uneven treatment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehomogeneity of rinse additive distributionVSAvoidcomplexity of recirculation dilution system
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The rinse additive is diluted with water in the washing tub before being introduced into the drum. This preliminary dilution action prevents direct contact of concentrated additive with laundry, avoiding stains and ensuring homogeneous distribution while maintaining treatment effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If concentrated or super-concentrated rinse additives are used, then the dosage efficiency is improved, but the risk of non-homogeneous distribution and staining increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedosage efficiency of rinse additiveVSAvoidstaining and uneven treatment of laundry
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Water acts as an intermediary substance between the concentrated rinse additive and the laundry. The additive is first mixed with water in the washing tub to create a diluted solution, which then contacts the laundry through the recirculation system, preventing direct harmful effects of concentrated additive while maintaining productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Device complexity

If rinse additive falls directly at the bottom region of the tub, then the device structure is simplified, but homogeneous mixing and distribution become difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesimplicity of additive delivery structureVSAvoidhomogeneity of rinse additive solution
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The recirculation circuit continuously circulates the diluted rinse additive solution from the bottom region of the washing tub through the drum and back. This continuous circulation ensures homogeneous mixing and distribution of the additive throughout the washing tub, maintaining solution composition stability while keeping the delivery structure simple.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

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 enhances the distribution and effectiveness of rinse additives, improving the homogeneity of treatment and reducing the risk of stains, particularly when using concentrated or super-concentrated forms.

Implementation Method 1

a step of activating the recirculation circuit in such a way that the rinse additive is diluted with dilution water at said bottom region of said washing tub

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDilution:

Implementation Method 2

a diluted rinse additive is obtained by mixing said quantity of said rinse additive with said first quantity of water at said bottom region of said washing tub

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMixing: Stirring

Implementation Method 3

introducing said diluted rinse additive into said washing drum in order to be absorbed by said laundry

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 4

ensuring a homogeneous mixture is absorbed by the laundry

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDiffusion: Diffusion

Data Source

PatentEP3033450B1Method for treating laundry in a laundry washing machine and laundry washing machine
Publication Date: 2017.06.28 ELECTROLUX APPLIANCES
  • EP3033450B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3033450B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3033450B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a method for treating laundry in a laundry washing machine (1; 201; 301; 401) of the type comprising: a washing tub (3) external to a rotatable perforated washing drum (4) adapted to receive laundry; a water supply circuit (5) to supply water into the washing tub (3); a detergent supplier (60) to supply detergent (D) into the washing tub (3); a rinse additive supplier (70) to supply at least one rinse additive (S) into the washing tub (3); a first recirculation circuit (30) suitable for withdrawing liquid from the bottom region (3a) of the washing tub (3) and for re-admitting such a liquid into the bottom region (3a) of the washing tub (3). The method comprises a washing phase (120) during which the laundry is washed with introduction of water and detergent (D) into the washing tub (3) and tumbled by rotation of the washing drum (4), at least one successive draining phase (125) for draining liquid from the washing tub (3) and at least one following rinsing cycle (130a, 130b,..., 130n; 130'n; 230a, 230b,..., 230n) during which the laundry is treated with the rinse additive (S). The rinsing cycle (130n; 130'n; 230n) comprises the steps of: introducing (140; 140'; 240) a quantity (Qs) of rinse additive (S) into the washing tub (3); introducing (140; 140'; 240) a first quantity (Q1w) of water (W) into the washing tub (3); activating (141; 141'; 241) the first recirculation circuit (30) for withdrawing liquid from the washing tub (3) and re-admitting the liquid into the washing tub (3) in such a way that the rinse additive (S) is diluted with the first quantity (Q1w) of water (W) at the bottom region (3a) of the washing tub (3); introducing (142; 142') the diluted rinse additive into the perforated washing drum (4) in order to be absorbed by said laundry.