Washing Machine Detergent Dispenser With Labyrinth Water Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional detergent dispensers in washing machines face mechanical issues with drawer operation and inadequate mixing of water and detergent, leading to potential jamming and inefficient detergent distribution, especially with side water inlets causing uncontrolled splashing.
Innovation Solution
A detergent dispenser with an external basic container and separate sections for different types of detergents, featuring a shaped insert with hopper rings and labyrinthine structures to regulate water flow, ensuring optimal mixing and distribution, and elastic lids to prevent unauthorized access and improve sealing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a drawer-type detergent dispenser is used, then the dispenser is accessible and easy to load, but the guiding mechanism experiences wear and may jam
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the drawer mechanism entirely and extracts only the essential function of detergent storage and dispensing. The dispenser is integrated directly into the washing machine structure as a fixed component, eliminating the guiding mechanism that causes wear and jamming while maintaining accessibility through direct loading access.
Solution Approach 2:
The dispenser is merged with the washing machine's water delivery system and structural framework. The water channels and detergent sections are integrated into a unified fixed structure, eliminating separate moving components while ensuring water and detergent are delivered together to the drum.
2Device complexity
If water is showered from above into the detergent sections, then the structure is simple, but the mixing of water and detergent is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs curved and angled water delivery channels that direct water flow in arcs and spirals through the detergent sections. This curved flow path increases the contact time and mixing between water and detergent compared to straight vertical showering, while maintaining relatively simple channel structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediate mixing chambers and flow channels that act as mediators between the water inlet and the detergent sections. These intermediate structures guide water through paths that promote mixing before the water-detergent mixture reaches the drum, improving homogeneity without requiring complex mixing mechanisms.
3Reliability
If a fixed container dispenser is used, then mechanical manipulation is eliminated, but the interior construction becomes complex with multiple nested parts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the dispenser interior into distinct functional sections (pre-wash, main wash, fabric softener) with separate water delivery channels and detergent storage areas. This segmentation allows each section to be independently constructed and assembled, simplifying the overall design while maintaining the fixed container structure that eliminates mechanical wear.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs a universal fixed container structure that serves multiple functions: storing different types of detergent, delivering water to each section, and channeling the mixture to the drum. This multi-functional design reduces the need for separate specialized components for each detergent section, simplifying the interior construction while maintaining reliability.
4Ease of operation
If side water inlet is used, then water can be delivered to detergent sections, but uncontrolled splashing occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses curved water delivery channels that guide water flow smoothly into the detergent sections. The curved paths prevent direct horizontal impact that causes splashing, instead directing water in controlled arcs that reduce harmful spray while maintaining effective water delivery to all detergent sections.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediate flow channels and deflectors that act as mediators between the side water inlet and the detergent sections. These intermediate structures capture and redirect water flow, preventing uncontrolled splashing while ensuring water reaches all detergent compartments effectively.
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
The solution effectively addresses mechanical issues and ensures optimal mixing and distribution of detergents, reducing wear and tear, and preventing uncontrolled water splashing, while allowing for easy maintenance and user-friendly operation.
Implementation Method 1
the second hopper ring creates a labyrinth regulating the water stream coming from the water connection into the second section, where the first hopper ring is provided with an external collar, creating a labyrinth regulating a water stream from a water connection into the first section
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
Detergent dispenser of a washing machine comprising an external basic container (2) with a water connection, from aside, in which a inner bearing container with a outlet hole is arranged, further comprising a shaped covering insert (8) with a hopper ring (10), whereas at least one of two sections (6,7) intended for a liquid detergent is provided with an inner cover (26), which is put by an adjustage (28) on an outlet tube (22), where the inner supporting container (4) represents the second section (5) intended for the detergent for main washing, whereas on one side from the second section (5) first section (3) intended for pre-washing detergent is arranged, the bottom of which is the bottom (17) of the external container (2) and on the other side from of the second section (5) the third section (6), which is intended for a liquid detergent, and the fourth section (7), which are intended for another liquid detergent are arranged, whereas further it is comprising the shaping covering insert (8) provided with the bearing rim (9), two hopper rings (10,11), protruding into the space of the first and second sections (3,4), whereas the shaped covering insert (8) is provided by two containers (12,13), intended for liquid detergents, provided with outlet holes (20), whereas the first hopper ring (10) is provided by an external collar (14), which creates the labyrinth regulating the water stream (P1) from the water connection (15) into the first section (3), whereas the second hopper ring (11) is arranged in the internal supporting container (4) to create the labyrinth regulating the water stream (P2) coming from the water connection (15a) into the second section (5), which contains the outlet hole (33), whereas the inner cover (26) in the containers (12,13) is on its the upper part of the inner surface (29) provided with a border (30).