Washing Machine Static Rinsing Process for Solid Soil Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing laundry washing machines face challenges in effectively removing large amounts of soil and solid dirt from fabrics, particularly in addressing the need for enhanced cleaning programs beyond standard 'heavy soil' or 'extra cleaning' options.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for a laundry washing machine that includes a tub, a rotatable drum, supply valves, and a water draining pump, with a control unit configured to perform a series of washing and rinsing processes involving multiple volumes of water and detergent, including static rinsing without drum rotation, and high-speed spinning to extract rinse water, providing enhanced dirt removal capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If standard washing programs are used, then the washing machine operates efficiently with normal water volumes and cycle times, but it cannot effectively remove large amounts of solid soil from fabrics
Solution Approach 1:
The washing process is divided into multiple distinct phases: initial wash with hot water, static rinsing without drum rotation, and subsequent rinses with drum spinning. This segmentation allows each phase to serve a specific function - the static rinsing phase enables water to penetrate and loosen solid soil without the mechanical action that would redistribute it, while subsequent spinning phases remove the loosened soil efficiently
Solution Approach 2:
The method performs preliminary hot water washing before the main rinsing cycles. This preliminary action uses hot water to pre-loosen and soften solid soil particles, making them more susceptible to removal in subsequent rinsing phases. The hot water treatment prepares the fabric and soil for more effective cleaning without requiring excessive water volumes in later stages
2Manufacturing precision
If the drum rotates at high speed during rinsing, then water is extracted from laundry efficiently, but solid soil remains trapped in fabrics
Solution Approach 1:
The washing machine alternates between static rinsing phases (drum not rotating) and spinning phases (drum rotating at high speed). During static phases, water penetrates the fabric to loosen solid soil without mechanical disturbance. During spinning phases, the drum rotates at high speed to extract the loosened water and soil. This periodic alternation between opposite actions maximizes soil removal while maintaining reasonable cycle times
Solution Approach 2:
The draining pump operates continuously throughout the rinsing process, both during static rinsing phases and spinning phases. This continuous draining action ensures that water and loosened soil are constantly removed from the tub, preventing re-deposition of soil onto the fabric. The continuous useful action of draining complements the alternating static/spinning phases to maintain high cleaning efficiency throughout the entire rinsing sequence
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 solution significantly improves dirt removal performance, particularly for solid soils, by using hot water, increased water levels, extended washing times, and static rinsing processes, resulting in better cleaning efficiency compared to standard programs.
Implementation Method 1
operating the motor to spin the drum at high speed to extract rinse water from the laundry
Implementation Method 2
using hot water, increased water levels, extended washing times, and static rinsing processes
Implementation Method 3
The liquid solution usually is water-based, and may comprise water alone, or water mixed with additives (e.g., detergent, fabric softener, bleach, etc.)
Data Source
AI summary
A method for controlling a laundry washing machine. The method includes: performing a tub loading process comprising operating supply valve(s) to provide a first volume of water through a detergent supply system and into a tub to fill the tub with wash liquid; performing a washing process comprising rotating a drum to agitate laundry in in the presence of the wash liquid; performing a static rinsing process comprising operating a pump to remove any free volume of wash liquid from the tub without rotating the drum; and performing one or more rinsing processes comprising: operating the supply valve(s) to provide a volume of clean rinse water to the tub, operating the pump to remove the rinse water from the drum, and operating the motor to spin the drum at high speed to extract rinse water from the laundry, while continuing to operate the pump.