Collapsible Hoop Laundry Retrieval Tool for Front-Load Washer Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Front-loaded laundry machines require bending or kneeling to insert and retrieve laundry, and multiple steps are needed due to the door opening configuration, which can lead to difficulties in accessing laundry stuck behind or on top of the drum, potentially causing color transfer issues between loads.
Innovation Solution
A laundry retrieval device with a resilient and flexible hoop component and panel that can be folded to fit through the door opening, utilizing gravity to facilitate insertion and retrieval by rotating the drum, allowing for easier handling and storage with collapsible spiral hoops and a pouch.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If the door opening is configured close to the floor for front-loaded laundry machines, then the machine structure is compact and modern, but the user must bend or kneel down to insert or retrieve laundry
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a laundry retrieval device as an intermediary tool between the user and the laundry machine. This device includes a retrieval arm with a claw mechanism that can reach into the drum and grasp laundry items, allowing users to retrieve laundry without bending or kneeling, thus resolving the contradiction between compact door configuration and user comfort.
2Productivity
If multiple steps are used to insert and retrieve laundry, then all laundry can be processed, but the process becomes time-consuming and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The laundry retrieval device enables continuous retrieval action by allowing the user to grasp multiple laundry items in succession without removing the device from the drum. The retrieval arm can be repeatedly inserted and activated to grab different items, maintaining continuous useful action and reducing the time lost between retrieval operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The device allows the user to independently retrieve laundry items without requiring assistance from another person or complex manual manipulation. The automated claw mechanism performs the grasping and lifting action, making the retrieval process self-service and more efficient.
3Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If laundry is stuck behind or on-top of the flange, then it is difficult to see and access, but leaving it behind causes color transfer problems
Solution Approach 1:
The retrieval device allows users to perform preliminary inspection and retrieval actions by reaching into areas that are normally difficult to access. The extended retrieval arm can probe behind and around the flange area to detect and grasp laundry items that would otherwise remain hidden, preventing color transfer issues before they occur.
4Length of moving object
If a rigid retrieval tool is used, then it can reach difficult areas, but it cannot be folded for convenient storage
Solution Approach 1:
The retrieval device incorporates dynamic, telescoping arms that can extend to reach difficult areas within the drum and then retract to a compact size for storage. The arms can be adjusted in length during use and folded into a small configuration when not in use, resolving the contradiction between reach capability and storage convenience.
Solution Approach 2:
The retrieval device features nested, telescoping components where the retrieval arm can be inserted into the handle or storage case, creating a compact nested structure. This allows the long retrieval arm to be stored within the device itself or in a small case, eliminating the need for separate storage space.
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
Enables efficient and convenient insertion and retrieval of laundry from front-loaded machines, reducing the risk of color transfer and improving user comfort by allowing gravity-assisted loading and unloading, while also being compact for storage.
Implementation Method 1
The hoop component is resilient and flexible wherein it enables the laundry retrieval device to be folded to place a first side in contact with an opposing second side of the hoop component and then return back to a hoop shape after being folded
Implementation Method 2
The drum of the laundry machine is rotated to cause laundry to fall out of the laundry retrieval device for insertion and onto the laundry retrieval device for retrieval
Data Source
AI summary
A laundry retrieval device enables a method of inserting and method of retrieving laundry from a laundry machine using gravity to facilitate the process. The drum of the laundry machine is rotated to cause laundry to fall out of the laundry retrieval device for insertion and onto the laundry retrieval device for retrieval. An exemplary laundry retrieval device has a panel of material that extends within a resilient and flexible hoop component. The panel drapes within the hoop and one or more apertures between the panel and the hoop component forms handles for picking up and manipulating the laundry retrieval device. The hoop component is resilient and flexible to enable the laundry retrieval device to be folded around the laundry for insertion through the door opening and retrieval through the door opening of a laundry machine.