Detergent Drawer Pump Coupling With Electrode Level Sensing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing laundry treatment apparatuses face issues with the durability of detachable supply pumps and the inability to sense the amount of liquid detergent stored, leading to potential pump damage and inadequate replenishment timing notifications.

Innovation Solution

A laundry treatment apparatus with a detachable storage body featuring a supply pump, a water level sensing system using electrodes, and a cleaning mechanism to maintain electrode integrity, allowing for improved pump durability and detergent level monitoring.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If the supply pump is firmly fixed to the housing, then the pump position is stable, but the pump durability decreases due to repeated coupling and separation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepump position stabilityVSAvoidpump durability

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The detergent storage system is divided into separate components: the housing (fixed to cabinet), the drawer (removable), and the supply pump (attached to drawer). This segmentation allows the pump to move with the drawer while maintaining stable connections during operation, resolving the contradiction between position stability and durability during repeated coupling/separation cycles.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If the supply pump is detachably coupled to the storage portion, then the pump can be easily installed and removed, but the pump location changes or the pump is damaged

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepump installation easeVSAvoidpump integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system transitions from a static fixed mounting to a dynamic detachable coupling between the drawer and housing. The supply pump remains attached to the movable drawer, which can be easily inserted and removed from the housing, providing both ease of operation and maintained pump integrity through proper coupling design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Device complexity

If no water level sensing system is provided, then the device structure is simple, but the detergent replenishment timing cannot be detected

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensing system complexityVSAvoiddetergent level information

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical level sensing mechanisms with a simple electrical conductivity-based sensing system using electrodes. When liquid detergent contacts the electrodes, it completes an electrical circuit, providing reliable level detection with minimal structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Reliability

If the electrodes are permanently sealed inside the storage body, then the sensing system is protected, but the electrodes cannot be cleaned

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrode protectionVSAvoidelectrode cleanability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates a removable cap that seals the electrode openings during normal operation to protect the electrodes from damage and contamination. When cleaning is required, the cap is simply removed to provide access to the electrodes, allowing easy maintenance while maintaining protection during use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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

Enhances the durability of the supply pump and enables accurate detection of detergent levels, facilitating timely replenishment and easy cleaning of the sensing mechanism.

Implementation Method 1

a supply pump disposed on the housing to be detachably coupled to the storage body and configured to move detergent inside the storage body to the tub body

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPumping: Pump

Implementation Method 2

a first electrode having one end located inside the storage body and another end exposed to an outside of the storage body, a second electrode having one end located inside the storage body and another end exposed to the outside of the storage body, the second electrode being disposed at a location separated from the first electrode and being electrically connected to the first electrode according to water level of liquid detergent

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentUS11459691B2Laundry treatment apparatus

Publication Date: 2022.10.04 LG ELECTRONICS INC

AI summary

A laundry treatment apparatus is disclosed including a cabinet, a tub configured to store water, a drum rotatably disposed inside the tub, a drawer configured to be withdrawable from the cabinet, a housing configured to accommodate the drawer, a storage body configured to be detachable from the drawer to store liquid detergent, a supply pump disposed on the housing to be detachably coupled to the storage body, a first electrode having one end located inside the storage body and another end exposed to an outside of the storage body, a second electrode having one end located inside the storage body and another end exposed to the outside of the storage body, an electrode coupler disposed on the housing body to be detachably coupled to the first and second electrodes, a cleaning hole formed through the storage body, and a lid configured to open and close the cleaning hole.