Laundry treating appliance

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Liquid spills on the user interface of laundry treating appliances, such as washing machines, can overflow or flood, potentially damaging electronic components.

Innovation Solution

A liquid seal is formed between the console and the rotary knob assembly and push button assembly to redirect and contain spilled liquid, preventing it from reaching the electronic components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the user interface is exposed and accessible, then ease of operation is improved, but vulnerability to liquid damage increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser interface accessibilityVSAvoidliquid damage risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A liquid barrier (clear plastic sheet or gel substance) is introduced as an intermediary between the user interface and the electronic components. This barrier allows users to interact with the interface while preventing liquid from reaching the electronics, thus resolving the contradiction between accessibility and vulnerability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The liquid barrier is installed in advance before any liquid spill can occur. This preliminary protective measure creates a pre-established defense against liquid damage, allowing the user interface to remain accessible while the harmful effect of liquid is blocked before it can cause damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

2Reliability

If liquid spill protection is added, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection from liquid damageVSAvoiduser interface structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A thin, flexible liquid barrier (clear plastic sheet or gel) is used to protect the electronic components. This thin-film approach provides effective liquid protection while adding minimal structural complexity to the user interface assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The liquid barrier can be implemented as a disposable or easily replaceable component (such as a clear plastic sheet or consumable gel). This approach provides reliable protection while keeping the overall system simple, as the barrier can be replaced rather than repaired if compromised.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Data Source

PatentUS12392073B2Laundry treating appliance

Publication Date: 2025.08.19 WHIRLPOOL CORP

AI summary

A laundry treating appliance includes a cabinet defining a cabinet interior, a drum, rotatable within the cabinet interior, at least partially defines a treating chamber for holding laundry items for treatment. A lid provides access to the cabinet interior. A user interface is carried by the cabinet and includes a console having a first input opening, a controller including a printed circuit board (PCB) located behind the console, and a rotary knob assembly and push button assembly located above the console and operably coupled to the PCB. A liquid seal is formed between the console and the rotary knob assembly and the console and the push button.