Auxiliary Washer Door for Adding Laundry During Wash Cycles

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Solution Overview

Problem

In drum type washing machines, the inlet and door are located on the front surface, preventing the door from being opened after the washing cycle starts, thus preventing additional wash water from being added during the cycle.

Innovation Solution

A washing machine with an auxiliary door that can be opened and closed independently during the washing cycle, allowing for the addition of laundry and detergent without opening the main door, featuring a locking mechanism and a separate auxiliary washing space with a pulsator for gentle washing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the door is made lockable during washing cycle, then the washing machine can maintain water in the tub, but the user cannot add laundry or detergent during the cycle

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater retentionVSAvoidability to add laundry

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The door system is divided into a main door and a separate auxiliary door. The main door remains locked during the washing cycle to maintain water retention, while the auxiliary door can be opened independently to allow addition of laundry or detergent. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by providing two separate access points with different functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If an auxiliary door is added to allow adding laundry during cycle, then the versatility is improved, but the door structure complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to add laundryVSAvoiddoor structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The auxiliary door is integrated within the main door structure, forming a door-within-a-door configuration. The auxiliary door is positioned at the lower portion of the main door and can be opened independently. This nesting approach adds the required versatility while minimizing structural complexity by utilizing the existing door framework.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Ease of operation

If the auxiliary door is made independent from main door, then the ease of operation is improved, but the sealing reliability may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveindependent door operationVSAvoidsealing performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A diaphragm is introduced as an intermediary sealing element between the auxiliary door and the main door structure. The diaphragm flexes to maintain sealing when the auxiliary door is opened or closed, accommodating the independent operation while preserving sealing reliability. This mediator allows the two doors to function independently without compromising the water-tight seal.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3263757B1Washing machine

Publication Date: 2019.04.03 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

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AI summary

Disclosed is a washing machine having a cabinet forming an outer appearance and having an inlet port formed at the front, a tub provided inside the cabinet for storing wash water, a drum provided inside the tub to be rotatable, and a door installed in the cabinet for opening and closing the inlet port. The door is provided with an auxiliary door which can be freely opened and closed during the washing process independently of the door, so that laundry can be added even during the washing process.