Drawer and clothes treating machine including the same
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing clothes treating machines face challenges in stably supporting dispenser assemblies, leading to increased weight and pressure on the coupling between the frame and housing, which can result in vibration and instability during operation, and there is a need for a solution that minimizes the remaining amount of clothes treatment agents and prevents leakage.
Innovation Solution
A support member with a lengthwise extending body, a support head portion, and a recessed hollow portion is designed to securely couple with the dispenser assembly, providing additional support and rigidity while allowing for easy manipulation and preventing overflow, and a check valve system is integrated to manage the flow of clothes treatment agents.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the drawer weight is increased to hold more clothes treatment agents, then the storage capacity is improved, but the pressure on the coupling between frame and housing increases causing instability
Solution Approach 1:
The support function is segmented from the frame-housing coupling and assigned to a dedicated support member. The support member includes a support body portion, support head portion, and support hollow portion that collectively bear the drawer weight, separating the storage capacity function from the coupling stability function.
Solution Approach 2:
A support member is introduced as an intermediary component between the drawer and the frame-housing coupling. This intermediary structure absorbs and distributes the mechanical load, preventing direct transmission of weight-induced pressure to the frame-housing interface.
2Quantity of substance
If the drawer weight is increased to hold more clothes treatment agents, then the storage capacity is improved, but vibration during operation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support function is segmented from the frame-housing coupling and assigned to a dedicated support member. The support member includes a support body portion, support head portion, and support hollow portion that collectively bear the drawer weight, separating the storage capacity function from the coupling stability function.
Solution Approach 2:
A support member is introduced as an intermediary component between the drawer and the frame-housing coupling. This intermediary structure absorbs and distributes the mechanical load, preventing direct transmission of weight-induced pressure to the frame-housing interface.
3Device complexity
If the support structure is simplified, then the device complexity is reduced, but the stability of dispenser assembly decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The support member performs multiple functions within a single integrated structure: it provides mechanical support for the dispenser assembly, guides the drawer through the support hollow portion, and distributes structural loads. This multi-functionality achieves stable support without requiring separate components for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The support hollow portion is designed to receive and guide the drawer, effectively using the empty space within the support structure to provide additional functional benefit (drawer guidance) without adding external components.
Data Source
AI summary
A support member and a clothes treating machine having the same are described. A support member supports a dispenser assembly, in which a drawer is inserted, from a rear side. The support member is inserted through a rear surface of a housing. A support hollow portion is formed in one side of the support member facing the dispenser assembly. A rear protrusion of the dispenser assembly is inserted into the support hollow portion. With the configuration, a rear side of the dispenser assembly is supported by the support member. Therefore, the dispenser assembly can be stably supported. Also, a support rib portion extends from an outer circumference of the support member in a lengthwise direction. Accordingly, rigidity of the support member in the lengthwise direction can be reinforced. Therefore, the support rib portion can stably support the dispenser assembly.