Detergent Case Overflow Prevention for Pump-Fed Washing Machines

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Solution Overview

Problem

Washing machines with detergent cases located below the washing tub unit face issues with water overflowing when the pump fails, and users struggle to observe detergent amounts if the case is positioned higher than eye level.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating an overflow hole in the detergent case, positioned higher than the outflow hole, which communicates with an overflow passage that safely discharges excess water outside the machine, and using a transparent drawer to facilitate easy observation of detergent levels.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the detergent case is installed at the lower portion of the washing machine to allow easy detergent loading, then ease of operation is improved, but water may overflow the detergent case if the pump breaks down

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of detergent loadingVSAvoidwater overflow prevention

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The overflow hole is provided in advance in the detergent case housing, positioned above the normal water level. This preliminary safety feature is designed to automatically activate if the pump fails, allowing excess water to escape before it can cause damage or overflow outside the detergent case.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The overflow hole acts as an intermediary safety mechanism between the water supply system and the detergent case. It provides a controlled escape route for excess water, mediating the potential harm caused by pump failure while maintaining the beneficial low-position installation for ease of use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the detergent case is installed at a high position above the washing tub unit to improve water drainage, then reliability is improved, but users cannot easily observe detergent amounts

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater drainage efficiencyVSAvoiddetergent amount observation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The drawer front is made of transparent material, allowing users to visually observe the detergent levels inside the detergent case without needing to open it or position themselves at a specific height. This transparency solution resolves the observation difficulty while maintaining the high-position installation for improved drainage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

3Reliability

If the detergent case is installed at a position higher than the user's eye level, then water drainage reliability is improved, but measurement precision of detergent amounts deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater drainageVSAvoiddetergent amount observation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The transparent drawer front enables users to accurately measure and observe detergent levels regardless of the detergent case's vertical position. By making the drawer transparent, users can visually assess detergent amounts with precision even when the case is installed at a high position for improved drainage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

Data Source

PatentUSRE48865E1Washing machine and detergent case thereof

Publication Date: 2021.12.28 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

A washing machine in which a detergent case is located below a washing tub unit and detergent and wash water are supplied from the detergent case to the washing tub unit by a pump. An overflow hole to prevent overflow of water to the outside the detergent case is provided on the detergent case, and the detergent and the wash water do not overflow the detergent case and are discharged to an outside of the washing machine through the overflow hole when the pump breaks down.