Water Recirculation Insert for Front-Load Washer Without Rubber Bellow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Washer and dryer combination appliances with front-load configurations face challenges in water recirculation due to the absence of a rubber bellow, requiring an alternative mounting location and new spray head design to improve wash performance.
Innovation Solution
A water recirculation insert is mounted to the front ring of the drum housing, featuring a tubular portion and nozzle portion that extend through the front ring to dispense fluid directly into the laundry compartment, with flanges for secure attachment and fluid-tight sealing, enhancing wash performance by recirculating water during the wash cycle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a rubber bellow is used for mounting the spray head, then the spray head can be securely mounted and fluid-tight sealing is achieved, but the appliance cannot be configured as a front-load washer/dryer combination without a rubber bellow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a mounting plate as an intermediary component that couples the spray head to the drum housing front ring. This mounting plate serves as a mediator that provides secure attachment and fluid-tight sealing without requiring a rubber bellow, thereby enabling front-load washer/dryer combination configuration while maintaining manufacturing feasibility
Solution Approach 2:
The spray head assembly is segmented into separate components: the spray head itself, the mounting plate, and the front ring integration. This segmentation allows the mounting plate to be specifically designed with sealing surfaces and attachment features that achieve fluid-tight sealing without relying on a rubber bellow structure
2Reliability
If the spray head is mounted on the rubber bellow, then fluid-tight sealing is achieved, but alternative mounting locations require new spray head designs to maintain sealing effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting plate acts as an intermediary between the spray head and the drum housing front ring, providing a dedicated sealing interface. This intermediary component carries the sealing burden, allowing the spray head design to remain relatively simple while still achieving reliable fluid-tight sealing at the alternative mounting location
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing approach transitions from relying on the flexibility of a rubber bellow to using a rigid mounting plate with precisely engineered sealing surfaces. This dimensional change from flexible to rigid sealing enables the alternative mounting location while maintaining sealing reliability
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 water recirculation insert effectively improves wash performance by ensuring efficient fluid distribution into the laundry compartment, enhancing cleaning efficiency in front-load washer and dryer combination appliances.
Implementation Method 1
a nozzle portion that extends through the front ring to a nozzle opening that is located inside the drum housing cavity and configured to dispense fluid directly into the laundry compartment
Data Source
AI summary
A laundry appliance including an appliance housing, a drum housing positioned in the appliance housing, and a drum that is configured to rotate inside the drum housing. A laundry compartment inside the drum is accessible through openings in the front of the appliance housing, drum housing, and drum. A front appliance door is pivotally connected to a front ring of the drum housing. A water recirculation insert is mounted to the front ring of the drum housing. The water recirculation insert includes a nozzle portion that extends through the front ring to a nozzle opening that is located inside the drum housing and configured to dispense recirculated fluid directly into the laundry compartment.