Dual-Door Washing Machine for Mid-Cycle Laundry Addition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional washing machines restrict users from adding laundry or detergent during a wash cycle, requiring users to wait until the cycle is finished or stop and drain the water, which can damage certain types of laundry.
Innovation Solution
A washing machine design featuring a subsidiary door and inlet port that allows independent access during the wash cycle, with a connection part inclined downward to facilitate easy addition of laundry or detergent without interrupting the main wash process, and a separate subsidiary washing space with a pulsator for gentle washing of delicate items.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the door is locked during the washing cycle to ensure safety and proper operation, then the washing machine can operate reliably, but users cannot add laundry or detergent during the cycle
Solution Approach 1:
The door is divided into two independent parts: the main door and the subsidiary door. The main door remains locked during the washing cycle to ensure safety and reliable operation, while the subsidiary door can be opened independently to allow users to add laundry or detergent without interrupting the main washing process. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by providing both security and flexibility.
2Ease of operation
If the washing cycle is stopped to add laundry, then users can access the drum, but the washing process is interrupted and time is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The door system is segmented into a main door and a subsidiary door with independent access. The subsidiary door provides a separate access path to the drum, allowing users to add laundry during the washing cycle without stopping the main drum rotation. This eliminates time loss while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The subsidiary door acts as an intermediary access mechanism between the user and the drum. It provides a controlled pathway for adding laundry without requiring full door opening or cycle interruption, thus maintaining continuous washing operation while enabling user access.
3Device complexity
If a single door design is used to simplify the structure, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ability to provide independent access during washing is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The door structure is segmented into a main door and a subsidiary door, each with independent opening and closing mechanisms. This segmentation enables independent access during washing cycles while maintaining relatively simple individual door structures, balancing complexity with functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The dual-door system provides multiple functions: the main door for primary access and loading, and the subsidiary door for intermediate access during operation. This multi-functionality increases adaptability without significantly complicating the overall door structure, as each door operates independently with its own simple mechanism.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a washing machine having an improved structure of enabling laundry to be put into the washing machine without restraint, the washing machine including a cabinet forming an external appearance of the washing machine, and provided at a front side thereof with an inlet port, a tub provided in the cabinet and accommodating wash water, a drum rotatably provided in the tub, and a door installed at the cabinet to open and close the inlet port, wherein the door is provided with a subsidiary door that is freely open and closed independent of the door during a washing cycle.