Drum Washing Machine Water Softener Layout for Space and Accessibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
In drum type washing machines, the limited vertical space in the upper region of the casing complicates the arrangement and convenience of water softening devices, leading to reduced user convenience and operational difficulties due to the need for densely packed components and large capacities of detergent and salt reservoirs.
Innovation Solution
The water softening device is reconfigured with the hardness component remover and regeneration agent container unit spaced apart and located in different corner regions, allowing for efficient use of space and improved accessibility, including a regeneration agent container unit with a dissolution tank and an auxiliary loader for easy regeneration agent loading.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the detergent dispenser and salt reservoir are arranged on the front surface of the upper portion of the casing, then the capacities of detergent and salt reservoirs can be maximized, but the area of the control panel is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The invention transitions from a two-dimensional front-surface arrangement to a three-dimensional corner-region arrangement. By utilizing the corner regions (both front and rear corners) of the upper portion, the design creates vertical and depth-based separation that allows both large reservoir capacities and adequate control panel area to coexist without overlapping spatial conflicts.
Solution Approach 2:
The upper portion of the casing is segmented into distinct functional zones: front corner regions for detergent dispenser and salt reservoir, rear corner regions for corresponding brine containers, and the central/front area for the control panel. This segmentation allows each component to occupy its designated space without encroaching on others, resolving the spatial conflict between reservoir capacity and control panel area.
2Volume of stationary object
If the salt reservoir and ion exchange resin container are arranged to overlap in vertical direction, then space utilization is improved, but accessibility and ease of maintenance are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The water softening device is divided into separable modules: the salt reservoir (holding portion) and the ion exchange resin container (brine container) are distinct removable units. While they may overlap vertically when installed, each can be independently removed from the front of the washing machine for maintenance, regeneration, or replacement, ensuring ease of access despite vertical arrangement.
Solution Approach 2:
The design incorporates removable and reconfigurable components that can be dynamically accessed. The salt reservoir and brine container are designed with removable structures that allow them to be taken out as needed, transforming from a fixed overlapping arrangement to a dynamically accessible configuration that maintains both space efficiency and maintenance ease.
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 configuration enhances the convenience of loading regeneration agents and simplifies the water supply path, improving the operational efficiency and user experience by optimizing the use of available space within the washing machine.
Implementation Method 1
a hardness component remover (20) for removing hardness components from wash water
Implementation Method 2
a regeneration agent container unit (60) spaced apart from the hardness component remover (20) on opposite side of a center of the tub (4) and holding a regeneration agent for regenerating a function of the hardness component remover (20)
Data Source
AI summary
A disclosed drum-type washing machine having a softening apparatus comprises: a cylindrical water tank accommodating laundry and having a rotating drum; a case for accommodating the water tank; and a softening apparatus having a hardness component remover for removing hardness components from washing water, and a regeneration agent accommodation unit spaced apart from the hardness component remover on opposite sides from a center of the tub, and for accommodating a regeneration agent that regenerates a function of the hardness component remover.