Method for treating laundry in a laundry washing machine and laundry washing machine
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing laundry washing machines experience issues with the uneven distribution and concentration of rinse additives, leading to non-homogeneous treatment of laundry items, which can result in inadequate softness, perfume, waterproofing, and sanitization, as well as potential stains or halos.
Innovation Solution
A method is introduced that utilizes a recirculation circuit within the washing machine to dilute rinse additives at the bottom region of the washing tub, ensuring a homogeneous mixture is formed before being introduced into the drum, thereby improving the distribution and efficiency of the additives on the laundry.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If rinse additive is added directly to the laundry in the drum, then the treatment process is simple, but the distribution of rinse additive becomes non-homogeneous causing stains and halos
Solution Approach 1:
The rinse additive is diluted with water in the washing tub before being introduced into the drum. This preliminary dilution action ensures that the rinse additive is already in a homogeneous state before contact with the laundry, preventing non-homogeneous distribution and associated defects.
Solution Approach 2:
Water acts as an intermediary substance between the rinse additive and the laundry. The rinse additive is first mixed with water to create a homogeneous dilute solution, which then serves as the medium that contacts the laundry, ensuring uniform distribution without direct concentrated contact.
2Quantity of substance
If rinse additive is added in concentrated form, then less water is needed, but the concentration areas cause non-homogeneous treatment and stains
Solution Approach 1:
The concentration parameter of the rinse additive is changed from high (concentrated form) to low (dilute form) through mixing with water. This parameter change transforms the rinse additive into a homogeneous dilute solution that can be evenly distributed over the laundry without creating concentration areas.
3Manufacturing precision
If recirculation circuit is activated for dilution, then homogeneity of rinse additive distribution is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The recirculation circuit, which may already exist in the washing machine for other washing functions, is utilized for the additional function of diluting the rinse additive. This multi-functional use of the recirculation circuit minimizes the increase in device complexity while achieving the desired dilution and homogeneity.
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 homogeneity and effectiveness of rinse additives on laundry items, preventing stains and ensuring consistent treatment, improving the overall quality of washed laundry.
Implementation Method 1
a first recirculation circuit suitable for withdrawing liquid from a bottom region of the washing tub and for re-admitting such liquid into the washing tub
Implementation Method 2
said rinse additive is diluted with dilution water at said bottom region of said washing tub
Implementation Method 3
introducing said diluted rinse additive into said washing drum in order to be absorbed by said laundry
Data Source
AI summary
A method for treating laundry in a laundry washing machine (1; 201; 301; 401) having: a washing tub (3) external to a rotatable perforated washing drum (4) configured 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 has 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) has 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.