Washing Machine Dispenser Flushing Device for Hygienic Cleaning

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing washing machine dispenser designs face challenges with dirt accumulation and mold formation due to wet compartments and flushing devices, requiring detachable structures for cleaning, which complicates leak-proofing and increases production costs.

Innovation Solution

A washing machine design featuring a flushing device that slides over the dispenser inlets, with a retainer and mounting extension for leak-proofing, and integrated water inlets on the housing to simplify installation and cleaning, reducing production costs and improving hygiene.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the flushing device is made detachable for easy cleaning, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases due to the need for complex mounting structures and multiple water channels

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of cleaningVSAvoidstructural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The flushing device is segmented into separate components: the flushing device body, the retainer attached to the housing, and the mounting extension. This segmentation allows the flushing device to be easily detached for cleaning while each component maintains its structural integrity and function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The mounting extension is extracted as a separate element that connects the flushing device to the retainer. This extraction simplifies the overall structure by providing a dedicated connection interface that is easy to assemble and disassemble without requiring complex integration of multiple functions into a single component.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Ease of operation

If the flushing device is made detachable for cleaning, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to difficulty in maintaining leak-proofing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of cleaningVSAvoidleak-proofing
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The retainer acts as an intermediary component between the housing and the flushing device. It provides a stable mounting interface with the sealing element that ensures leak-proof connection while allowing the flushing device to be easily detached for cleaning. The retainer absorbs the complexity of maintaining seal integrity during assembly and disassembly operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If complex structures are used to provide different water channels to the flushing device, then adaptability is improved, but ease of manufacture deteriorates due to increased production costs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewater channel configurationVSAvoidproduction cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting extension provides a dynamic connection interface that can accommodate different water channel configurations. The sliding mounting mechanism allows the flushing device to be positioned and connected in various orientations, enabling flexible water channel routing without requiring complex rigid structures with multiple integrated passages.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3063328B1A washing machine comprising a cleaning agent dispenser
Publication Date: 2019.09.04 ARCELIK AS
  • EP3063328B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3063328B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3063328B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The present invention relates to a washing machine (1) comprising a dispenser (2) wherein cleaning agents like detergent, softener etc. are placed and where the cleaning agents are mixed with water, a housing (3) wherein the dispenser (2) is placed, at least one water conduit (4) that carries water from the mains to the dispenser (2), and a flushing device (6) mounted on the dispenser (2), enabling water to be directed into the dispenser (2) and having more than one hole (5) at its base enabling water to pass into the dispenser (2).