Front Drawer Detergent Dispenser for Large-Capacity Washing Machines

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing washing machines face challenges with inconvenient loading and maintenance of washing agents, limited container capacity, and reduced space due to the positioning of dispensers, which complicates cleaning and maintenance.

Innovation Solution

A washing machine with a large storage capacity dispenser system featuring a movable container structure that is easily accessible for loading and cleaning, allowing for periodic refilling and maintenance, and includes controllable delivery means managed by the control system to dispense dosed amounts of washing agents.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If tanks for washing agents are positioned vertically between the rear wall of the washing tub and the rear wall of the cabinet, then the machine can contain large amounts of liquid washing agents for multiple cycles, but the space available for the washing tub is limited, reducing the loading capacity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveamount of washing agentVSAvoidwashing tub capacity
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent repositions the washing agent tanks from the vertical rear space to the horizontal front space between the front wall of the washing tub and the front wall of the cabinet. This dimensional relocation allows the washing tub to expand vertically and horizontally without being constrained by the tank placement, thereby increasing loading capacity while maintaining large storage capacity for washing agents.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Quantity of substance

If tanks are housed in the rear area of the machine, then large storage capacity is achieved, but loading and maintenance operations become complicated and difficult to access

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestorage capacityVSAvoidloading convenience
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the washing agent tanks from the enclosed rear area and relocates them to the front area of the machine where they are easily accessible. The tanks are positioned between the front wall of the washing tub and the front wall of the cabinet, allowing users to perform loading and maintenance operations conveniently without needing to access the rear of the machine.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Ease of operation

If tanks are positioned in the front area between the front wall of the washing tub and the front wall of the cabinet, then loading and maintenance become convenient, but this arrangement can only be pursued in top-loading washing machines

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveaccessibilityVSAvoidmachine type compatibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent adapts the front-positioned tank arrangement for use in front-loading washing machines by strategically placing the tanks in the horizontal space between the front wall of the washing tub and the front wall of the cabinet. This universal design allows the same convenient access benefits to be achieved in both top-loading and front-loading machine types, overcoming the limitation of previous designs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Adaptability or versatility

If elastic containers are used to contain liquid washing agents, then the containers are flexible and can be drawn into the tub, but the containers have limited capacity and cannot be cleaned, requiring replacement when degraded

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveflexibilityVSAvoidcontainer capacity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the reusable elastic containers with large-capacity rigid tanks that are designed to be filled with liquid washing agents. These tanks have significantly larger capacity compared to the elastic containers and can be easily cleaned and maintained. The tanks are positioned in the front area and connected to the washing tub through delivery systems, providing a cost-effective and sustainable solution that eliminates the need for frequent replacement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Data Source

PatentEP1884584B1A washing machine, in particular a laundry washer, comprising a large capacity washing agents dispenser
Publication Date: 2016.04.13 WHIRLPOOL EMEA SPA
  • EP1884584B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP1884584B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP1884584B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A laundry washing machine (1) has a washing agent dispenser device having a long operating autonomy, which comprises at least one container (9-11), adapted to contain an amount of a liquid washing agent sufficient for carrying out a plurality of treatment cycles, and delivery means (24), which can be controlled for taking dosed amounts of the washing agent from said at least one container (9-11) and delivering them to a washing tub. The machine (1) further comprises a movable support (8) for the container (9-11), said support (8) being displaceable, with respect to a corresponding seat, between an extracted position and a retracted position. Preferably, the seat is defined in a lower region of the fixed structure (2) of the machine (1), and the movable support (8) is configured substantially as a drawer. The container (9-11) is removably mounted on the movable support (8).