Detergent Storage Drawer Locking Mechanism to Prevent Cup Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing laundry treating apparatuses face issues with unintended separation of components in the detergent storage, leading to inconvenience during handling and use, particularly when components are manufactured separately and lack proper fastening mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus incorporates a detergent cup with a deviation preventing protrusion and a locking bar on the detergent storage frame, along with a stopper and locking protrusion, to securely attach the detergent cup and prevent upward deviation, allowing for easy separation and improved structural stability and ease of use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If components are manufactured separately and placed on the detergent storage frame without fastening means, then ease of manufacture and assembly is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to unintended separation during handling
Solution Approach 1:
The detergent storage is divided into separate components (detergent storage frame, detergent cup, cap, mounting part) that can be manufactured independently and assembled easily, while still maintaining reliability through the fitting projection and hole connection mechanism
Solution Approach 2:
The fitting projection and fitting hole act as an intermediary fastening mechanism between the detergent cup and the detergent storage frame, enabling easy assembly while preventing unintended separation during handling
2Ease of operation
If components are easily separable for user convenience, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability worsens due to unintended separation during handling
Solution Approach 1:
The connection mechanism transitions from a fixed rigid connection to a dynamic system where the detergent cup can be easily inserted and removed by the user through the fitting projection and hole, while still maintaining stability during normal handling operations
3Ease of operation
If the detergent storage is extended fully for easy access, then ease of operation is improved, but structural stability deteriorates due to increased leverage and potential misalignment
Solution Approach 1:
The fitting projection and hole are pre-positioned on the detergent cup and mounting part respectively, ensuring proper alignment and stable connection before the detergent storage is extended or manipulated by the user
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed is a laundry treating apparatus including a cabinet, a tub, a drum, and a detergent storage unit, wherein the detergent storage unit includes a detergent storage unit frame having an open top face and retracted into and extended from the cabinet through a opening, an locking bar disposed on the detergent storage unit frame and restricting an extension distance of the detergent storage unit extending from the cabinet, and a detergent cup accommodated in the detergent storage unit frame through the open top face of the detergent storage unit frame, wherein the detergent cup stores the detergent therein and includes a separation preventing protrusion protruding from a side wall, wherein upward deviation of the detergent cup from the detergent storage unit frame is restricted as the separation preventing protrusion is located below the locking bar.