Washing Machine Detergent Siphon Structure for Residual Water Drainage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Residual water remains in the liquid detergent containing unit of washing machines due to the siphon phenomenon only occurring at a predetermined level, leading to incomplete detergent discharge and potential contamination from steam during washing or drying.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a siphon pipe with a siphon cap and residual water holes in the detergent supply apparatus, where the siphon cap has protrusions that fit into the holes, creating gaps for the discharge of residual water, ensuring only water passes through, thus eliminating residual water from the unit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If a siphon pipe is used to move liquid detergent, then detergent can be supplied automatically, but residual water remains in the containing unit
Solution Approach 1:
The siphon cap is segmented with multiple protrusions that fit into corresponding holes in the containing unit, creating multiple discrete gap regions. This segmentation allows residual water to be discharged through multiple pathways simultaneously, effectively eliminating water accumulation while maintaining automated detergent supply.
Solution Approach 2:
The gap regions formed between the siphon cap protrusions and containing unit holes act as intermediary channels. These gaps serve as mediator pathways that allow residual water to escape without interfering with the primary detergent supply function through the siphon pipe, thus resolving the contradiction between automation and water retention.
2Reliability
If the siphon cap fits tightly into the containing unit, then the structure is sealed, but residual water cannot be discharged
Solution Approach 1:
The siphon cap structure incorporates local quality variations: most of the cap surface maintains tight contact with the containing unit for sealing, while specific localized regions (gap regions between protrusions and holes) intentionally maintain spacing to enable water discharge. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between sealing and discharge.
Solution Approach 2:
The design converts the potential harm of residual water accumulation into a beneficial discharge mechanism. The gap regions, which could be seen as sealing defects, are actually designed features that allow residual water to escape, transforming a harmful byproduct into a controlled discharge function that maintains system reliability.
3Device complexity
If residual water remains in the liquid detergent containing unit, then the structure is simple, but contamination occurs during steam washing or drying
Solution Approach 1:
The design extracts the residual water removal function from the main detergent supply mechanism. By incorporating discharge holes and gap regions specifically dedicated to water removal, the system separates the detergent supply function from the water disposal function, preventing contamination without significantly increasing overall structural complexity.
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
This design effectively removes residual water from the liquid detergent unit, maintaining its cleanliness and preventing contamination, ensuring efficient detergent supply and operation during washing and drying cycles.
Implementation Method 1
a siphon pipe to induce a siphon action
Data Source
AI summary
A detergent supply apparatus includes a detergent box; and at least one liquid detergent containing unit provided in the detergent box to move a liquid detergent using a siphon phenomenon. The liquid detergent containing unit includes a siphon pipe to induce a siphon action, a siphon cap coupled to the siphon pipe, and at least one residual water hole formed through a bottom of the liquid detergent containing unit. The siphon cap includes at least one cap protrusion configured to be fitted into the residual water hole, and at least one gap is defined between the residual water hole and the cap protrusion such that residual water is discharged from the liquid detergent containing unit through the gap. The liquid detergent containing unit includes at least one integral liquid detergent containing unit integrally provided in the detergent box.