Top-Load Detergent Dispenser Sealing for Easy Cleaning Access
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing detergent dispensers in top-loading washing machines face issues with complex installation and maintenance due to dead angles and inaccessible design, leading to detergent deposits and user dissatisfaction, with previous solutions either causing overflow or reducing the loading clearance.
Innovation Solution
A detergent dispenser system integrated with the loading hopper door, utilizing flexible seals and a recessed seating design that allows easy installation, maintenance, and removal, ensuring complete distribution and preventing overflow by sealing the compartments effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the dispenser is integrated in the loading hopper with fixed construction, then the dispenser structure is stable, but the maintenance access becomes difficult and cleaning is neglected
Solution Approach 1:
The dispenser is divided into separable components: the dispenser body (30) can be removed from the loading hopper (10) while the seals (21-23) remain on the hopper door (20). This segmentation allows the dispenser to be stable during operation yet easily removable for maintenance and cleaning.
2Ease of repair
If the dispenser boxes are made removable to facilitate cleaning, then the maintenance access is improved, but the user acceptance decreases due to complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The dispenser body (30) is merged with the loading hopper door (20) through a simple recessed seating arrangement and flexible seals, creating an integrated structure that requires no complex fastening mechanisms. The dispenser can be easily removed by pulling it out of the recess without tools, maintaining simplicity while enabling cleaning access.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a closure lid is added to seal the dispenser compartments, then the overflow prevention is improved, but the loading clearance towards the back is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Flexible seals (21-23) made of elastomeric material are used to close the dispenser compartments (310-312) instead of rigid lids. These thin film seals prevent detergent overflow while occupying minimal space, preserving the loading clearance towards the back of the hopper for accommodating bulky laundry items.
4Strength
If the dispenser is made from several welded parts, then the structural strength is improved, but the cleaning access becomes difficult due to inaccessible nooks
Solution Approach 1:
The dispenser body (30) is extracted as a separate removable component from the loading hopper assembly. This allows the entire dispenser to be removed and cleaned externally, providing access to all internal surfaces and nooks that would be inaccessible if the dispenser were permanently welded into the hopper structure.
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
Facilitates easy maintenance and access to the dispenser, preventing detergent deposits and increasing the loading clearance, ensuring efficient detergent distribution and user convenience.
Implementation Method 1
The detergent compartments 310 to 312 are closed by the loading hopper lid 20 that includes closing seals 21 to 23... the good conformability of the seals 21 to 23 is obtained and therefore they are in regular contact
Implementation Method 2
The dispenser 30 is constantly held against the back wall of the recessed seating 12 by flexible slats 318 and 319
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention consists in installing the detergent products dispenser (30) in the loading hopper (10) of the machine and ensuring its closure by the intermediary of the hopper lid (20). For that, the loading hopper lid (20) is equipped, on its inside face, with raised parts made in a flexible material that follow the shape of the inlet edges (326 to 328) of the respective compartments (310 to 312) of the detergent products dispenser (30), in order to ensure the correct closure of them under the pressure applied of them by the hopper lid (20) when it is closed. This dispenser staying fully dismountable and cleanable out of the machine.