Detergent Supply Case Overhang for Water-Safe Detector Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Laundry treatment apparatuses face issues with water infiltration into electrical components, leading to corrosion and failure due to condensation and leakage, which affects the reliability and longevity of the devices.

Innovation Solution

The introduction of an overhang structure positioned over the introduction detector in the detergent supply device to block water from falling and direct it to a discharge region, preventing water from reaching the electrical components and enhancing their water resistance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If electrical components are arranged inside the laundry treatment apparatus to enable detergent supply and detection functions, then the device functionality is improved, but water infiltration causes corrosion and failure of these components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetergent supply functionVSAvoidelectrical component reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary protective structure (waterproof coating or protective housing) between the electrical components and the water environment. This intermediary layer blocks water infiltration while allowing the electrical components to maintain their detergent supply and detection functions, thus resolving the contradiction between functionality and reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If the introduction detector is exposed to detect storage unit insertion, then the ease of operation is improved, but water can fall directly onto the detector causing failure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage unit detectionVSAvoidwater infiltration

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies a waterproof thin film or coating over the introduction detector. This flexible protective layer allows the detector to maintain its exposure for detecting storage unit insertion while blocking water infiltration, thus preserving ease of operation while eliminating the harmful effect of water exposure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Reliability

If water resistance measures are added to protect electrical components, then the reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater resistanceVSAvoidstructural complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material parameter of existing components by applying waterproof coatings or using water-resistant materials. This approach provides water resistance protection while maintaining the original simple structure, thus improving reliability without significantly increasing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3901355B1Laundry treatment apparatus

Publication Date: 2023.12.20 LG ELECTRONICS INC

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AI summary

A laundry treatment apparatus is disclosed. The laundry treatment apparatus includes a housing (10), a tub (20), a drum (30), a storage unit (100), and a supply case (400) arranged in the housing (10) to accommodate the storage unit (100) introduced through an opening (15). The supply case (400) includes an introduction detector (600) coupled to an outer side of the supply case (400) and configured to detect whether the storage unit (100) is introduced, and an overhang (500) positioned over the introduction detector (600) to block water from falling on the introduction detector (600).