Washing Machine Water Storage U-Trap for Passive Odor Blocking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Washing devices face issues with bacterial growth and odor formation in stored rinse water, leading to unpleasant smells that can penetrate the interior of the device, and existing solutions like chemical or electrical disinfection are costly.
Innovation Solution
A storage system with a container, transfer line, pool, and channel structure that prevents air flow from the container to the transfer line, using a pool to trap water and form a water trap, which prevents odor transfer from the container to the interior compartment, and optionally includes a pump and check valve for efficient liquid transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If wash water is collected and stored in a container for reuse, then water saving is achieved, but bacterial growth and odor formation occur in the stored water
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces a U-shaped trap as an intermediary element in the transfer line between the storage container and the washing chamber. This trap fills with water to create a water seal that acts as a barrier, preventing odor gases from the stored wash water from migrating into the washing chamber while still allowing liquid water to pass through for reuse
2Object-generated harmful factors
If chemical or electrical disinfection processes are used to prevent odor, then odor prevention is improved, but the disinfection process becomes costly
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces expensive chemical or electrical disinfection systems with a simple, inexpensive U-shaped trap structure made of basic materials. This passive mechanical barrier provides ongoing odor prevention without requiring energy input, chemical additives, or complex electronic components, thereby significantly reducing operational costs
3Device complexity
If a simple container is used to store wash water, then device complexity is reduced, but odor can freely transfer to the interior compartment
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the transfer line into distinct functional zones by incorporating the U-shaped trap as a separate element within the liquid path. This segmentation creates a physical barrier zone that isolates the odor source in the storage container from the washing chamber, while maintaining the overall simplicity of the storage system
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
Effectively prevents unpleasant odors from entering the washing device's interior while allowing reuse of wash water in subsequent cycles, enhancing the reliability and durability of the storage system by eliminating moving parts and reducing odor transfer.
Implementation Method 1
water left in the pool forms a water trap between the container and the transfer line, that prevents air flow from the container to the transfer line
Data Source
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AI summary
A storage system developed according to the present invention is suitable for use in a washing device (M) provided with at least one body (1); at least one interior compartment (2), which is disposed in the body (1), into which items to be washed are placed and in which wash and rinse cycles are performed; and at least one base (3) in which wash liquid present in the interior compartment (2) is collected. The storage system comprises at least one container (4) to which the wash liquid collected at the base (3) is transferred; at least one transfer line (5) by which the excess of the wash liquid transferred to the container (4) is transferred to said interior compartment (2) once the container is filled; at least one opening (6) by which the transfer line (5) is opened to the interior compartment (2); at least one pool (8) disposed in a part of the transfer line (5) opening to the container (4); and at least one channel (9) extending from the transfer line (5) towards the pool (8).