Washing Machine Drawer Retainer for Secure Tool-Free Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional laundry washing machines have complex and difficult-to-assemble retaining devices for the detergent drawer, which can be accidentally removed and require intricate assembly, making them cumbersome to manufacture and maintain.
Innovation Solution
A removable retaining device with a releasable locking element that engages with a recess in the supporting structure, allowing simple assembly and disassembly by sliding and rotating, eliminating the need for complex bolt and nut connections and enabling easy replacement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a spring-biased safety catch arm with bolt and nut connection is used to prevent accidental drawer removal, then drawer security is improved, but device complexity and assembly difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining device is segmented into separate functional elements: a retaining arm with catch element that can be independently positioned, and a separate bolt/nut assembly. This allows the retaining arm to be simply mounted while the locking mechanism is added separately, reducing overall assembly complexity while maintaining security.
Solution Approach 2:
A slot in the flange acts as an intermediary element between the retaining arm and the drawer. The slot guides the catch element's movement and provides a defined path for engagement, simplifying the interaction between components and reducing the need for complex alignment mechanisms.
2Reliability
If a spring-biased safety catch arm with bolt and nut connection is used to prevent accidental drawer removal, then drawer security is improved, but assembly difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining device is segmented into separate functional elements: a retaining arm with catch element that can be independently positioned, and a separate bolt/nut assembly. This allows the retaining arm to be simply mounted while the locking mechanism is added separately, reducing overall assembly complexity while maintaining security.
Solution Approach 2:
The retaining arm is pre-mounted to the supporting structure before final assembly with the drawer. This preliminary positioning allows for easier alignment and simplifies the subsequent attachment of the bolt and nut, as the retaining arm is already in its correct position and orientation.
3Reliability
If the retaining device is fixed with bolt and nut connection, then drawer security is improved, but manufacturing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining device is segmented into separate functional elements: a retaining arm with catch element that can be independently positioned, and a separate bolt/nut assembly. This allows the retaining arm to be simply mounted while the locking mechanism is added separately, reducing overall assembly complexity while maintaining security.
Solution Approach 2:
The retaining arm is pre-mounted to the supporting structure before final assembly with the drawer. This preliminary positioning allows for easier alignment and simplifies the subsequent attachment of the bolt and nut, as the retaining arm is already in its correct position and orientation.
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 simplifies the assembly and maintenance of the washing machine by allowing easy engagement and disengagement of the retaining device without tools, enhancing manufacturing ease and user accessibility, while ensuring secure drawer operation.
Implementation Method 1
a resilient connection (43) located at an edge of the catch portion (41), said resilient connection allowing said catch portion to rotate with respect to said attachment portion
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 1A
Figure 2
AI summary
A washing machine (100) comprises a drawer (1) comprising at least one compartment (10a, 10b, 10c, 10d) for receiving an agent for treating laundry, a supporting structure (2) on which the drawer can slide and a removable retaining device (4) connectable to the supporting structure for delimiting a movement of the drawer with respect to the supporting structure. The removable retaining device is connected to the supporting structure by moving the removable retaining device along a fixing direction. The supporting structure comprises an engagement element (220) and the removable retaining device comprises a releasable locking element (420) engaging with the engagement element such that, when the removable retaining device is moved along the fixing direction in order to be connected to the supporting structure, the releasable locking element locks the retaining device in a connected condition.