Detergent Reservoir Latching and Coupling for Vibration-Safe Metering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dosing devices in washing machines often fail to securely hold detergent reservoirs during washing cycles, leading to potential leakage and soiling due to inadequate latching mechanisms, which can result in detergent being unintentionally removed during vibrations.
Innovation Solution
A reservoir design with a latching element and a container-side coupling element that forms a secure latching connection with the washing machine's receiving device, using a piston and hollow mandrel mechanism to ensure reliable detergent flow and easy removal, with a guide elevation for secure insertion and a spring-loaded piston for automatic closure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the reservoir is pushed tightly into the receiving device to prevent unintended removal during vibrations, then the reliability of the latching connection is improved, but the ease of operation for removal deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The latching element is designed to transition between a latched state during insertion and an unlatched state during removal. The pressing element applies dynamic pressure to maintain the latched position during vibrations, while the same pressing element can be actuated to release the latch for easy removal, making the connection dynamic rather than static.
Solution Approach 2:
The latching mechanism changes the parameter of latching force dynamically. During normal operation, the spring-loaded pressing element maintains optimal latching force to prevent unintended removal. During removal, actuation of the pressing element changes the latching force parameter to zero, enabling easy extraction of the reservoir.
2Ease of operation
If the reservoir is held loosely in the receiving device to enable easy removal, then the ease of operation for insertion and removal is improved, but the reliability deteriorates as the reservoir may be unintentionally partially conveyed out during vibrations
Solution Approach 1:
The latching element provides dynamic securing that adapts to operational conditions. The spring-loaded pressing element automatically adjusts the latching force to maintain secure connection during vibrations while allowing easy removal when actuated, resolving the contradiction between loose holding for ease of operation and tight holding for reliability.
3Reliability
If a complex latching mechanism is used to ensure secure holding during vibrations, then the reliability of the latching connection is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The latching mechanism is self-actuating through the spring-loaded pressing element that automatically engages and disengages the latching element based on insertion and removal actions. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for complex external actuation systems, maintaining reliability while minimizing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The complex functionality of automatic latching and unlatching is extracted into a simple spring-loaded pressing element that works passively during insertion and can be actively actuated for removal. This extraction of complexity into a single element maintains reliability without requiring multiple complex components.
4Productivity
If the piston is held in the open position to maintain detergent flow, then the productivity of detergent dispensing is improved, but the reliability deteriorates as detergent may leak unintentionally
Solution Approach 1:
The piston dynamically transitions between closed and open positions based on operational needs. During normal storage, the spring holds the piston in the closed position for reliable leak prevention. During dispensing, actuation of the pressing element moves the piston to the open position for productive detergent flow, achieving both reliability and productivity through dynamic positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring pre-loads the piston in the closed position before dispensing is needed, ensuring reliability during storage. When dispensing is required, the pressing element actuates to move the piston to the open position, allowing the preliminary spring energy to facilitate quick and reliable transition to the productive open state.
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 provides a secure and reliable coupling of the reservoir to the washing machine, preventing detergent leakage during cycles and allowing easy removal, ensuring efficient detergent dispensing while maintaining a secure latching connection even during vibrations.
Implementation Method 1
a spring-loaded piston for automatic closure
Data Source
AI summary
The reservoir (2) has a container-side coupling element and a receptacle-side coupling element in a receiving device (3) coupled to a coupling device to flow liquid through the coupling device in a household appliance (1). A latching element of a housing is inserted into a counter detent element arranged in the receiving device of the household appliance to form a catch connection to detachably fix the housing in the receiving device. An independent claim is also included for a metering device for a water-conducting domestic appliance.