Detergent Drawer Recessed Grip With Side Overflow Opening
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing recessed grips for detergent drawers pose a risk of user contact with undefined structures and unpleasant edges during actuation, leading to potential damage and discomfort due to the overflow opening extending over the entire width in the rear region.
Innovation Solution
A recessed grip design with the overflow opening positioned on a side area of the hand grip, allowing water overflow when the detergent drawer is closed, effectively isolating the operator's contact from the overflow edges by placing the overflow opening within the side wall, away from the main contact areas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the overflow opening extends over the entire width in the rear region of the recessed grip, then the emergency overflow function is achieved, but the user contacts undefined structures and unpleasant edges during actuation
Solution Approach 1:
The overflow opening is relocated from the rear region (horizontal dimension) to the side wall (vertical/side dimension). This dimensional shift allows the overflow function to be maintained while removing the opening from the user's contact zone during actuation, as the side wall position is outside the effective hand actuation area.
2Reliability
If the overflow opening is positioned in the rear region, then the emergency overflow is effective, but the edges can be damaged by user actuation forces
Solution Approach 1:
The overflow opening is extracted from the rear region where it would be subjected to damaging actuation forces. By relocating it to the side wall, the opening is removed from the stress zone, protecting the surrounding edges from damage while preserving the overflow functionality.
3Ease of operation
If the recessed grip is designed to be largely closed, then user safety and comfort are enhanced, but the overflow opening must be positioned away from contact areas
Solution Approach 1:
The overflow opening is positioned in the side wall, utilizing the lateral dimension of the recessed grip structure. This allows the grip to remain largely closed for user safety while the overflow opening is placed in a location that does not interfere with hand contact areas during actuation.
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The invention relates to an access recess (1) for a detergent drawer (3) of a washing machine with a reach-through area, at least two side areas (8, 9) and at least one overflow opening (2) which, when the detergent drawer (3) is closed, allows water to overflow into the interior of the access recess allows, wherein the overflow opening (2) is arranged on a side area (8, 9) of the handle trough.