Rotary Drum Lifter With Integrated Odorizer for Odor Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing rotary drum laundry treating appliances suffer from unpleasant odors due to manufacturing process residues, which are not effectively addressed by separate deodorizer dispensers that can cause noise, damage, and electrostatic shocks.

Innovation Solution

Integration of an odorizer portion with the lifter's main body within the rotary drum, made of odorant polyolefin plastics, ensures consistent fragrance release without additional devices and minimizes noise and electrostatic issues.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If separate deodorizer dispensers are used to eliminate unpleasant smells, then odor elimination is improved, but device complexity and reliability deteriorate due to additional moving parts that can detach and cause noise

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveunpleasant smellVSAvoidlifter stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The deodorizer function is merged with the existing lifter structure by integrating a deodorizer cartridge into the lifter body. This combination eliminates the need for separate moving deodorizer dispensers while maintaining the deodorizing function, thereby improving reliability by reducing detachable parts and potential noise sources.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If separate deodorizer dispensers are used to eliminate unpleasant smells, then odor elimination is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to user intervention required for installation and replacement

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveunpleasant smellVSAvoidautomatic operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The lifter structure incorporates a self-contained deodorizer cartridge that automatically releases fragrance during the washing cycle without requiring user intervention for installation, operation, or replacement. The cartridge is designed to be replaced as a simple unit if needed, but operates autonomously during use.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Object-affected harmful factors

If separate deodorizer dispensers are used to eliminate unpleasant smells, then odor elimination is improved, but object-generated harmful factors worsen due to electrostatic charge accumulation on laundry

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveunpleasant smellVSAvoidelectrostatic charge
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

By merging the deodorizer function into the fixed lifter structure rather than using separate moving dispensers, the system eliminates the source of electrostatic charge generation while maintaining effective fragrance distribution throughout the washing load.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Object-affected harmful factors

If separate deodorizer dispensers are used to eliminate unpleasant smells, then odor elimination is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional components and attachment mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveunpleasant smellVSAvoiddispenser structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The deodorizer cartridge is integrated into the existing lifter structure, utilizing the lifter's mounting mechanisms and spatial arrangement. This merging approach avoids adding separate attachment systems, motors, or control mechanisms, thereby minimizing device complexity while achieving effective deodorizing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 eliminates unpleasant smells without additional accessories, preventing damage and electrostatic shocks, while ensuring efficient perfume distribution during drum rotation.

Implementation Method 1

an odorizer portion (22) made integral, i.e. in one piece, with said main body (21)... made of odorant polyolefin plastics... ensures consistent fragrance release

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Implementation Method 2

ensuring efficient perfume distribution during drum rotation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDiffusion: Diffusion

Data Source

PatentEP2636356B1A rotary drum laundry treating appliance with a drum provided with an odorizer lifter
Publication Date: 2016.09.07 ELECTROLUX HOME PROD CORP NV
  • EP2636356B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2636356B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3A

AI summary

There is described a rotary drum laundry treating appliance (10) comprising a casing (11); a drum (19) rotatably enclosed within the casing (11), in which laundry to be treated can be loaded; and at least one lifter (20) comprising a main body (21) projecting from an inner peripheral surface (S) of the drum (19). The at least one lifter (20) further comprises an odorizer portion (22) integral with the main body (21).