Washing Machine Detergent Drawer With Motor-Pump Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drawer structures in washing machines face issues with unreliable electric connections due to immersion of electropumps in liquid washing agents, leading to reduced liquid capacity, increased complexity, and risk of electrical faults, particularly with reversible connectors.
Innovation Solution
A drawer structure with a separate, fixed electric motor and pumping members that maintain a safe and reliable electric connection by using a mechanical coupling mechanism, allowing for ergonomic operation and increased washing agent capacity, and enabling the use of AC electropumps.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If electropumps are mounted inside the chambers and electrically connected by removable connectors, then the drawer can be moved between extracted and retracted positions, but the electric connection becomes unreliable due to wear from frequent movement
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into a fixed motor unit mounted on the casing and a movable pumping member unit mounted on the drawer. This segmentation allows the motor to remain stationary with reliable electrical connections, while only the pumping member moves with the drawer, eliminating wear on electrical connectors.
Solution Approach 2:
The electric motor is extracted from the movable drawer chamber and fixed to the stationary casing. This extraction removes the source of electrical connection wear from the moving assembly, leaving only the pumping member to move with the drawer while maintaining reliable electrical connections at the fixed motor.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If DC low-power electropumps are used for electric safety, then the system is safer, but the liquid loading capacity inside the chambers is reduced and the system becomes more complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The pumping function is segmented into a mechanical pumping member that can be driven by either DC or AC motors. This allows the use of more powerful AC motors without compromising safety, as the motor is electrically isolated from the liquid chamber while the pumping member remains in the chamber.
Solution Approach 2:
The electric motor is taken out of the liquid chamber environment and mounted on the external casing. This extraction allows the use of high-power AC motors that would be unsafe if immersed in liquid, while the pumping member that contacts the liquid remains a simple mechanical component.
3Productivity
If electropumps are immersed in liquid washing agents, then they can pump the liquid directly, but expensive electric wiring solutions are required to ensure reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates the electrical pumping function into two parts: a simple mechanical pumping member that contacts the liquid and can be moved by the drawer, and a fixed motor unit with standard electrical wiring mounted on the casing. This eliminates the need for complex waterproof electrical connections while maintaining pumping functionality.
4Device complexity
If a single motor with clutch transmission is used to control multiple pumping members, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ease of operation decreases due to additional mechanical coupling mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The clutch transmission mechanism allows the single motor to dynamically engage and disengage with different pumping members based on the drawer position. When the drawer is retracted, the clutch engages the appropriate pumping member for dispensing; when extracted, the clutch disengages. This dynamic engagement simplifies the overall system while maintaining operational ease.
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
Ensures a safe and reliable electric connection, increases washing agent capacity, simplifies operation, and reduces the risk of electrical faults by separating electrical components from the washing agent chambers.
Implementation Method 1
a clutch transmission mechanism, adapted to be engaged by the single electric motor so as to transform a rotational motion delivered by the motor and to selectively engage or disengage a plurality of pumping members
Data Source
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AI summary
The structure has: a drawer (14), which defines at least one chamber (16a, 16b) suited to receive a washing agent and is mounted so as to move in a shell (12) between an extracted position, in which the chamber (16a, 16b) can be accessed from the outside and is ready to receive a washing agent, and a retracted position, in which the chamber (16a, 16b) is closed by the shell (12) and suited to dispense the washing agent; a passage (17a, 17b), which communicates with the chamber (16a, 16b) and with the outside; a pumping member (18a, 18b), which is suited to push a quantity of washing agent from the chamber (16a, 16b) towards the passage (17a, 17b); an actuator or motor (20; 20a, 20b), which is suited to operate the pumping member (18a, 18b), is fixed on the shell (12) and is separate from the drawer (14). The pumping member (18a, 18b) is able to assume an active condition, in which it is coupled to the actuator or motor (20; 20a, 20b) and to the passage (17a, 17b), when the drawer (14) is in the retracted position. The pumping member (18a, 18b) is also able to assume an inactive condition, in it is uncoupled from the actuator or motor (20; 20a, 20b) or from the passage (17a, 17b), when the drawer (14) is in the extracted position.