Detergent Reservoir Vent Cap Structure to Prevent Washer Leakage
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing laundry treating apparatuses face issues with detergent leakage during the movement of the detergent reservoir, leading to hygiene degradation and user discomfort, and require improvements in structural stability, durability, and convenience.
Innovation Solution
A ventilation path is implemented in the detergent cap to communicate the interior and exterior of the detergent reservoir, minimizing leakage, and reinforced structures such as leg ribs and a detergent residual amount display are added for enhanced stability and user convenience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the detergent reservoir is made retractable for user convenience, then ease of operation is improved, but detergent leakage occurs during movement
Solution Approach 1:
The detergent reservoir is divided into a storage space and a dispensing system, with the cap serving as a separate functional element that can be independently configured to prevent leakage while allowing controlled detergent flow to the drum
2Ease of operation
If the detergent reservoir is made retractable for user convenience, then ease of operation is improved, but hygiene is degraded due to leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The ventilation path is pre-configured in the cap structure before the reservoir is inserted or extended, ensuring that detergent cannot leak during movement. The cap's design inherently prevents leakage through its built-in ventilation channels that allow air flow while blocking detergent egress
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a ventilation path is added to communicate interior and exterior of the reservoir, then hygiene is improved, but structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ventilation function is merged into the cap structure itself, combining the sealing function with the ventilation function in a single integrated component. The cap includes built-in ventilation paths that allow air flow while preventing detergent leakage, eliminating the need for separate ventilation mechanisms
4Stability of the object's composition
If reinforcement structures are added to the detergent reservoir, then structural stability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Reinforcement ribs are added only to specific areas of the reservoir where structural strength is needed, such as the cap connection area and the bottom, rather than making the entire reservoir uniformly thick. This localized reinforcement provides necessary stability while minimizing additional material and complexity
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a laundry treating apparatus including a cabinet having an opening defined therein; a tub disposed inside the cabinet; a drum rotatably disposed inside the tub; a detergent storage unit retractable into the cabinet through the opening, wherein detergent is stored in an storage space of the detergent storage unit; a detergent reservoir having a detergent injection hole defined therein communicating with the storage space of the detergent storage unit; and a detergent cap fitted into the detergent injection hole, wherein the detergent cap includes a ventilation path defined therein to communicate an outside of the detergent reservoir with the storage space of the detergent storage unit, wherein the ventilation path has an outer end communicating with the outside of the detergent reservoir, wherein the outer end is open and extends in a lateral direction of the detergent cap.