Washing machine with drying function
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing washing machines with drying functions face challenges in effectively washing lint filters, leading to inconvenient manual changes, unnecessary water usage, and reduced drying performance due to lint blockages.
Innovation Solution
A washing machine with a drying function that includes a sensor-activated washing device to automatically spray water onto the lint filter when lint accumulation is detected, ensuring effective cleaning of the lint filter without user intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a lint filter is disposed in the back duct to prevent lint blockages, then drying performance is maintained, but the lint filter accumulates lint requiring manual washing or replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The washing device enables the lint filter to clean itself automatically. When the sensor detects lint accumulation, the washing device sprays water onto the lint filter through multiple nozzle holes, removing accumulated lint without user intervention. This self-service mechanism resolves the contradiction by maintaining filtering reliability while eliminating manual washing requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary cleaning action by detecting lint accumulation early through the sensor and automatically initiating the washing process before the lint filter becomes completely blocked. This preliminary action maintains drying performance while preventing the need for manual intervention.
2Ease of manufacture
If water is sprayed continuously onto the lint filter, then lint is effectively removed, but water is wasted when lint accumulation is minimal
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor provides feedback about lint accumulation levels to the control system. Based on this feedback, the washing device is activated only when necessary - when the sensor detects sufficient lint accumulation. This feedback mechanism ensures effective cleaning when needed while preventing unnecessary water consumption when the lint filter is still functional.
3Extent of automation
If a sensor is added to detect lint accumulation, then automatic washing can be triggered, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor system replaces complex mechanical monitoring mechanisms with a simple electrical detection system. The sensor detects lint accumulation through electrical conductivity changes (lint conducts electricity differently than air), providing automatic control signals to the washing device without requiring complex mechanical sensors or manual inspection mechanisms.
4Reliability
If the washing device is always active, then lint filter is constantly cleaned, but energy and water are consumed unnecessarily
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuous operation, the washing device operates periodically based on sensor detection. The sensor monitors lint accumulation and triggers the washing device only when lint reaches a threshold level. This periodic action maintains lint filter cleanliness and reliability while minimizing energy and water consumption by activating the washing system only when necessary.
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 actively removes lint from the filter, maintaining drying performance and eliminating the need for manual lint filter changes, thereby enhancing user convenience and operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a sensor fixed to the lint filter and configured to detect lint in the lint filter, and to produce a corresponding signal
Implementation Method 2
a washing device configured to selectively spray washing water toward the lint filter
Implementation Method 3
a blower fan to form an airflow that flows, via the back duct and the front duct, from the back opening to the heat exchange part
Implementation Method 4
a heated air supplying device including a heat exchange part above the tub
Data Source
AI summary
A washing machine with drying function may include a cabinet with a laundry insertion hole; a tub having a front opening and a back opening; a drum inside the tub, the laundry insertion hole, front opening, and drum being positioned so that laundry is insertable through the laundry insertion hole; a heated air supplying device with a heat exchange part above the tub, a front and back duct, and a blower fan to form an airflow, via the back and front duct, from the back opening to the heat exchange part, and then to the front opening; a lint filter in the back duct; a sensor to detect lint in the lint filter and produce a corresponding signal; a washing device to spray washing water toward the lint filter; and a processor to control the washing device to spray the washing water based on the signal produced by the sensor.