Deflector assembly for laundry appliance
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Laundry appliances lack effective solutions for protecting the bellows from laundry items and providing adequate lighting within the drum for loading and unloading, while existing designs often compromise on fluid control and visibility.
Innovation Solution
A deflector assembly with a rim and chute extending over the bellows, integrated with a lighting unit that directs light into the drum, creating edge lighting effects and utilizing a transparent material to guide light, along with a textured region for additional lighting effects, and electrical connectors that engage the wiring harness without penetrating the bellows.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a deflector assembly is added to protect the bellows, then fluid control is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The deflector assembly is divided into separate functional components: a rim portion that interfaces with the cabinet opening, a chute portion that directs items, and an integrated lighting unit. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while collectively providing comprehensive protection for the bellows against fluid and items.
Solution Approach 2:
The lighting unit is integrated directly into the deflector assembly, merging the protective function with the illumination function. This combination eliminates the need for separate lighting components and wiring that would penetrate the bellows, thereby maintaining fluid control while providing adequate lighting for loading and unloading.
2Illumination intensity
If lighting is added to illuminate the drum interior, then visibility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting unit is merged with the deflector assembly, using the same structural components (rim and chute) as both the protective barrier and the mounting structure for lights. This integration provides illumination without requiring additional support structures or penetrating the bellows, thus improving visibility while minimizing increases in device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The deflector assembly serves multiple functions: it protects the bellows from items and fluid, provides structural support for the lighting unit, and directs light into the drum interior. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby improving visibility without proportionally increasing device complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If electrical connectors penetrate the bellows to provide power, then electrical connectivity is improved, but reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical connectors are extracted from the bellows structure and relocated to the deflector assembly. Power is delivered to the lighting unit through the deflector's structural components rather than penetrating the bellows, thereby maintaining electrical connectivity while eliminating the reliability issues associated with penetrating connections in wet environments.
Solution Approach 2:
The deflector assembly serves as an intermediary structure that carries electrical power to the lighting unit without requiring connections through the bellows. The rim and chute portions of the deflector act as conduits for electrical wiring, isolating the bellows from electrical penetration while maintaining power delivery to illuminated components.
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 deflector assembly effectively protects the bellows, enhances loading and unloading visibility with multi-colored lighting effects, and maintains electrical connectivity without exposing components to wet areas, providing a comprehensive solution for fluid control and illumination.
Implementation Method 1
The deflector defines a light guide to generate a lighting effect along an edge of the deflector
Implementation Method 2
utilizing a transparent material to guide light
Data Source
AI summary
A deflector assembly for an appliance includes a deflector having a rim forming a geometric shape and configured to engage a panel and a chute extending from a portion of the rim. The chute includes an upper surface that extends at an oblique angle from the rim. A lighting unit has a light source. The light source is disposed proximate to a junction between the rim and the chute.