Dispenser cup
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Solution Overview
Problem
Laundry treating appliances face challenges in optimizing surface space usage for multiple treating chemistry dispensing functions, as traditional dispensers require multiple pour zones, which can clutter the cabinet surface and complicate the dispensing process.
Innovation Solution
A treating chemistry fill cup assembly with a base cup and a selector cup that can be rotated to fluidly couple with multiple conduits, allowing a single pour zone to direct treating chemistry to multiple destinations, including the treating chamber and bulk reservoirs, thereby minimizing surface space requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate pour zones are provided for different treating chemistry dispensing functions, then each function can be served independently, but the surface space required increases and the cabinet surface becomes cluttered
Solution Approach 1:
The single pour zone is designed to serve multiple dispensing functions through the rotatable selector cup mechanism. The selector cup can be rotated to align with different fluid conduits, enabling one pour zone to distribute treating chemistry to multiple destinations including the treating chamber and bulk reservoirs, thereby eliminating the need for multiple separate pour zones on the cabinet surface
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple dispensing functions that would traditionally require separate pour zones are merged into a single integrated pour zone. The base cup with multiple fluid conduits and the rotatable selector cup combine multiple dispensing pathways into one location, consolidating what would have been separate surface-mounted dispensers into a single space-efficient unit
2Area of stationary object
If a single pour zone is used for multiple dispensing functions, then surface space is minimized, but the complexity of the dispensing mechanism increases
Solution Approach 1:
The dispensing mechanism is segmented into distinct functional components: a base cup containing multiple fluid conduits, a rotatable selector cup with an outlet, and a shaft connecting them. This segmentation allows each component to perform a specific function while working together as an integrated system, making the complex mechanism more manageable and easier to manufacture
Solution Approach 2:
The selector cup is designed to be rotatable relative to the base cup, introducing dynamic functionality to the dispensing mechanism. This rotation capability allows the user to selectively connect the pour zone to different fluid conduits based on the desired dispensing function, providing versatility without requiring multiple static pour zones
3Ease of operation
If multiple separate dispensers are mounted on the cabinet surface, then each dispensing function is clearly designated, but the access opening size must be reduced to accommodate the surface space
Solution Approach 1:
The single pour zone with rotatable selector cup provides clear functional designation through its design elements. The selector cup can be rotated to align with different fluid conduits, and the mechanism includes visual indicators or positional references that help users identify which destination will receive the treating chemistry, maintaining ease of operation while consolidating surface space
Data Source
AI summary
A washing machine includes a cabinet defining a housing with internal components of a conventional automated clothes washer, a door mounted to the cabinet to selectively open/close the opening to the cabinet, and a dispenser in the form of a fill cup assembly in which single or bulk doses of treating chemistry can be received. The fill cup assembly includes a base cup with at least first and second fluid conduits supplying corresponding destinations, and a selector cup defining a pour zone. The selector cup includes an outlet and rotatable relative to the base cup to selectively fluid couple the outlet to the at least first and second fluid conduits.