Laundry treatment apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional drum-type washing machines face issues with detergent leakage due to low coupling force between the detergent box and pump, incomplete detergent usage leading to frequent refills, and difficulty in cleaning the detergent box due to its integrated check valve and sealing structure.
Innovation Solution
The detergent box is positioned below the drum, with a detergent pump system that includes a piston pump and check valve configuration to ensure complete detergent discharge and improved sealing, allowing for easy cleaning and reduced detergent leakage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the detergent box is positioned below the drum with improved coupling structure, then detergent leakage is reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The detergent box assembly is segmented into removable components including the detergent box, check valve, and pump assembly. This allows individual replacement and maintenance of each component while maintaining a secure coupling structure that prevents leakage during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
A check valve is introduced as an intermediary component between the detergent box and pump to prevent backflow and leakage. This mediator ensures unidirectional flow of detergent and seals the connection interface effectively.
2Reliability
If the check valve is integrated into the detergent box, then the sealing performance is improved, but the ease of cleaning deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The check valve is designed as a separable component that can be removed from the detergent box for cleaning. The detergent box can be detached and cleaned independently, while the check valve can be removed and cleaned separately, maintaining sealing performance while enabling easy maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The check valve is extracted as a removable component from the integrated detergent box assembly. This allows the detergent box to be easily removed and cleaned, while the check valve can be taken out for separate cleaning or replacement without disassembling the entire system.
3Productivity
If the detergent pump is positioned to completely discharge detergent, then the productivity is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pump system is designed to automatically and completely discharge detergent from the detergent box without requiring manual intervention or complex control systems. The pump mechanism itself performs the complete discharge function through its mechanical action, achieving high productivity with simple operation.
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
This configuration enhances the coupling force between the detergent box and pump, ensures complete detergent usage, and facilitates easy cleaning of the detergent box, improving the overall efficiency and convenience of the washing machine.
Implementation Method 1
a detergent pump for pumping detergent out of the detergent box
Implementation Method 2
a check valve provided at the detergent box in a removable manner
Data Source
AI summary
A laundry treatment apparatus is disclosed. The laundry treatment apparatus includes a cabinet, a tub disposed in the cabinet to provide a washing space, a drum rotatably disposed in the tub to receive laundry placed therein, a detergent pump for supplying detergent to the tub, and a detergent box removably mounted to the detergent pump and configured to contain the detergent. The detergent box includes a body for providing a space containing the detergent and a through-hole formed in a rear side of the body to allow the detergent to flow out therethrough. The body includes a lower surface including a first slanted surface, which is slanted downwards from a front side of the body toward the rear side of the body. The through-hole is located at the lowermost position of the body.