Detergent Drawer Layout Below the Washer Loading Door

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional laundry treatment apparatuses require users to inconveniently lift detergent over the laundry entrance hole to supply it, as the detergent storage is typically located above this point.

Innovation Solution

The apparatus includes a detergent supply unit positioned under the laundry entrance hole, with multiple storage portions and a water supply system that guides water to these storage portions, allowing for efficient detergent distribution directly to the tub, thus reducing the storage height and user inconvenience.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the detergent storage unit is located above the laundry entrance hole, then the structure is simple, but the storage height is high causing user inconvenience

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural simplicityVSAvoidstorage height
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

By inverting the detergent storage unit from above to below the laundry entrance hole, the patent reduces the storage height while maintaining structural simplicity. The water supply paths are accordingly inverted to supply water from above to the below-positioned storage unit, resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and reduced storage height.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Ease of operation

If the detergent storage unit is positioned below the laundry entrance hole, then the storage height is reduced and accessibility is improved, but the water supply path becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccessibility of detergentVSAvoidwater supply path complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The water supply path is segmented into multiple independent paths (first water supply path, second water supply path, third water supply path) that can operate independently or simultaneously. This segmentation allows the system to supply water to different storage portions flexibly, managing the complexity through modular path design while achieving improved accessibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The water supply paths are designed to be dynamically controllable through distribution valves, allowing the system to adapt water flow to different storage portions based on operational needs. This dynamic control manages path complexity by enabling selective activation of different paths rather than requiring all paths to be permanently active.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3056599B1Clothing treatment device
Publication Date: 2018.11.28 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP3056599B1 patent drawingFigure 1(a)~1(b)
  • EP3056599B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3056599B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

There is disclosed a laundry treatment apparatus including, a cabinet comprising a laundry entrance hole configured to load laundry into the cabinet, a tub provided in the cabinet and configured to store washing water therein, the tub comprising a tub hole in communication with the laundry entrance hole, a drum rotatably provided in the tub and configured to receive the laundry loaded via the tub hole, a detergent supply unit provided under the laundry entrance hole, in communication with the tub, and configured to store detergent therein, and a water supply unit configured to supply water to the detergent supply unit.