Drawer structure for dispensing metered amounts of washing agent in a washing machine

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing drawer structures in washing machines face issues with unreliable electric connections due to immersion of electropumps in liquid washing agents, leading to reduced liquid capacity, increased complexity, and risk of electrical faults, particularly with reversible connectors.

Innovation Solution

A drawer structure with a separate electric motor fixed on the casing, where pumping members are uncoupled from the motor during the extraction position, ensuring a safe and reliable electric connection, allowing for the use of AC pumps and simplifying the mechanical connection, thus preventing wear and ensuring ergonomic operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If electropumps are mounted inside the chambers and immersed in liquid washing agents, then the pumping function is achieved, but the liquid loading capacity inside the chambers is remarkably reduced and electric safety issues arise

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepumping functionVSAvoidliquid loading capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system is divided into two separate functional modules: the electropump with motor is mounted on the stationary casing, while only the pumping members (plungers) are coupled to the movable drawer. This segmentation allows the liquid chamber to be completely separated from electrical components, maximizing liquid capacity while maintaining pumping functionality through mechanical coupling during retracted position.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The pumping members act as intermediaries that transfer the mechanical motion from the electropump to the liquid in the chamber. During the retracted position, the pumping members are coupled to both the electropump and the liquid chamber, enabling the electropump to drive liquid dispensing without being immersed in the liquid itself.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If reversible electric connectors are used for electrical connection between drawer and casing, then the drawer can be moved between extracted and retracted positions, but the electric connection becomes unreliable due to wear from frequent movement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrawer movement capabilityVSAvoidelectric connection reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The motor and electrical components are extracted from the movable drawer and fixed on the stationary casing. The drawer now only carries the pumping members, which are mechanically coupled to the motor during the retracted position. This extraction eliminates the need for reversible electrical connectors, as the electrical connection remains stationary while only the mechanical pumping components move with the drawer.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Productivity

If DC low-power electropumps are used for electric safety reasons, then the pumping function is achieved, but the system becomes more complicated with additional power suppliers required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepumping functionVSAvoidpower supplier complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces the need for complex DC power suppliers and electrical insulation measures with a purely mechanical coupling system. The electropump remains stationary on the casing, and the pumping members are mechanically coupled during the retracted position to transfer motion to the liquid. This mechanical substitution eliminates the need for special DC power suppliers while maintaining pumping effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

The solution provides a safe and reliable electric connection, increases the washing agent capacity, reduces the risk of electrical faults, and simplifies user operation by eliminating the need for frequent connector management.

Implementation Method 1

a pumping member (18a, 18b), each mounted so as to be able to push a quantity of the washing agent contained in a respective chamber (16a, 16b) through a respective passage (17a, 17b) towards the outside of the structure

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydraulic pumping: Pump

Data Source

PatentUS9644307B2Drawer structure for dispensing metered amounts of washing agent in a washing machine

Publication Date: 2017.05.09 ELBI INT

AI summary

A structure has a drawer defining at least one chamber receiving a washing agent and is mounted to move in a shell between an extracted position, in which the chamber is accessible from the outside for receiving a washing agent, and a retracted position, in which the chamber is closed by the shell and suited to dispense the washing agent. A passage communicates with the chamber and outside. A pumping member is suited to push a quantity of washing agent from the chamber towards the passage. An actuator operates the pumping member and is fixed on the shell separate from the drawer. The pumping member is able to assume an active condition, coupled to the actuator and to the passage, when the drawer is retracted. The pumping member is able to assume an inactive condition, uncoupled from the actuator or from the passage, when the drawer is extracted.