Door-Mounted Wash Aid Dispenser for Consistent Laundry Distribution

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Solution Overview

Problem

Laundry treating appliances often face challenges in efficiently dispensing and distributing wash aids like detergent and bleach within the treating chamber, leading to inconsistent treatment of laundry loads.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates a door with a projection and a wash aid receptacle that utilizes liquid flow and drum rotation to assist in dispensing wash aids, ensuring they are effectively mixed with laundry and liquid, enhancing the distribution of wash aids during the washing cycle.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If wash aid is supplied directly into the treating chamber, then the dispensing location is flexible, but the distribution consistency is poor

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewash aid supply flexibilityVSAvoiddistribution consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The wash aid receptacle is pre-positioned on the door at a specific location that ensures optimal distribution. The projection structure is pre-configured with channels and surfaces designed to guide liquid and laundry flow through the wash aid, ensuring consistent dispensing before the washing cycle begins.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The projection structure acts as an intermediary between the wash aid receptacle and the treating chamber. It includes channels and surfaces that mediate the flow of liquid and laundry through the wash aid, ensuring proper distribution while maintaining supply flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If wash aid dispenser is located away from laundry flow path, then the device structure is simple, but the wash aid distribution is inconsistent

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedispenser structure simplicityVSAvoidwash aid distribution uniformity

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The projection structure merges multiple functions into a single component: it serves as a structural extension of the door, a support for the wash aid receptacle, a guide for liquid flow, and a mechanism for laundry interaction. This integration achieves consistent wash aid distribution without adding complex separate components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The projection structure performs multiple functions simultaneously: it positions the wash aid receptacle, guides liquid flow over the wash aid, directs laundry through the wash aid, and integrates with the door assembly. This multi-functionality ensures consistent distribution while maintaining structural simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Volume of moving object

If wash aid receptacle is integrated with door, then the space utilization is efficient, but the access for refilling is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespace utilization efficiencyVSAvoidrefilling accessibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The projection structure is designed as a separate, accessible component that can be independently accessed for refilling. The wash aid receptacle is positioned on the projection in a location that allows user access while maintaining efficient space utilization within the door assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This solution ensures consistent and efficient dispensing of wash aids, improving the treatment of laundry loads by integrating the wash aid receptacle with the liquid flow and laundry movement, leading to better cleaning results.

Implementation Method 1

The design incorporates a door with a projection and a wash aid receptacle that utilizes liquid flow and drum rotation to assist in dispensing wash aids

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLiquid flow:

Implementation Method 2

The design incorporates a door with a projection and a wash aid receptacle that utilizes liquid flow and drum rotation to assist in dispensing wash aids

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDrum rotation:

Implementation Method 3

ensuring they are effectively mixed with laundry and liquid, enhancing the distribution of wash aids during the washing cycle

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMixing: Stirring

Data Source

PatentUS9115461B2Door wash aid dispenser for a laundry treating appliance

Publication Date: 2015.08.25 WHIRLPOOL CORP

AI summary

A laundry treating appliance may include a door supporting a wash aid dispenser. The door may be mounted for movement relative to a treating chamber and include a projection extending from a lower portion of the door on a side of the door facing the treating chamber. A wash aid receptacle for holding wash aid chemistry may be provided on the projection for dispensing of the wash aid chemistry into the treating chamber.