Detergent Case Drain Structure for Residual Water Discharge

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Solution Overview

Problem

Washing machines with detergent cases that rely on siphonage for liquid detergent distribution often leave water remaining in the detergent case, leading to poor sanitation and reduced product reliability, as siphonage only occurs at a designated level, and steam accumulation can occur.

Innovation Solution

A detergent case design featuring a siphon pipe, a siphon cap forming a siphon channel, a remaining water discharge hole, and an opening and closing unit driven by buoyancy to ensure complete water discharge, including a buoyancy member and sealing member to manage the discharge hole effectively.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If siphonage is used to discharge liquid detergent, then liquid detergent can be discharged when designated level is reached, but water remains in the detergent case at water level below designated level

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveliquid detergent discharge efficiencyVSAvoidsanitation quality

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The discharge system is segmented into two distinct discharge paths: a siphon pipe for discharging liquid detergent at designated levels, and a remaining water discharge hole for discharging residual water at lower levels. This segmentation allows each discharge mechanism to operate independently at different water levels, ensuring complete water removal while maintaining sanitation quality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A buoyancy-driven opening and closing unit acts as an intermediary mechanism between the water level changes and the remaining water discharge hole. The opening and closing unit responds to water level changes by opening or closing the remaining water discharge hole, mediating the discharge process to ensure residual water is removed without interfering with the siphonage operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If siphon pipe is used to discharge liquid, then liquid can be discharged at designated height, but remaining liquid is not discharged

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveliquid discharge efficiencyVSAvoidremaining liquid

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The discharge function is segmented into two stages: primary discharge through the siphon pipe at designated levels, and secondary discharge of remaining liquid through the remaining water discharge hole at lower levels. This two-stage segmentation ensures that both the main liquid volume and the residual liquid are discharged, eliminating waste.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The remaining water discharge hole is preliminarily prepared and activated when water level drops below the designated level, ensuring that residual liquid is discharged before the siphonage stops. This preliminary action prevents remaining liquid from stagnating in the detergent case.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If opening and closing unit is added to manage remaining water discharge hole, then complete water discharge is achieved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesanitation qualityVSAvoiddetergent case structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The opening and closing unit is designed to operate automatically based on buoyancy forces generated by water level changes. The unit self-activates to open or close the remaining water discharge hole without requiring external control mechanisms, reducing device complexity while ensuring reliable operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The opening and closing unit utilizes hydraulic principles, specifically buoyancy forces from water level changes, to drive the opening and closing action. This hydraulic actuation mechanism is simple and reliable, avoiding complex mechanical or electrical control systems while achieving complete water discharge.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

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

Prevents water from remaining in the detergent case, maintaining sanitation and reliability by ensuring complete liquid discharge, even when siphonage stops, and prevents steam accumulation.

Implementation Method 1

a siphon pipe protruded upwardly from a bottom surface of the liquid detergent accommodation space so as to discharge a liquid, accommodated within the liquid detergent accommodation space, to the outside if the liquid reaches a designated height

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSiphonage: Syphon

Implementation Method 2

an opening and closing unit moving upwardly and downwardly due to buoyancy of the liquid accommodated within the liquid detergent accommodation space to open and close the remaining water discharge hole

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBuoyancy: Archimedes' Principle (Buoyancy)

Data Source

PatentUS8943859B2Detergent case and washing machine having the same

Publication Date: 2015.02.03 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

A detergent case which includes a liquid detergent accommodation space, a siphon pipe protruded upwardly from a bottom surface of the liquid detergent accommodation space, and a siphon cap surrounding the siphon pipe. The detergent case also includes a remaining water discharge hole formed on a bottom surface of the liquid detergent accommodation space, and an opening and closing unit to open and close the remaining water discharge hole due to buoyancy of a liquid accommodated within the liquid detergent accommodation space.