Laundry treating appliance and dispenser
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Laundry treating appliances often have dispenser systems that compromise on aesthetics and user experience due to the design of the dispenser drawer and door, which can lead to a less-than-satisfactory operation and appearance.
Innovation Solution
A dispenser system where the dispenser container or drawer is designed to move between extended and retracted positions in a way that maintains an upright position during opening and closing, with a matching profile between the dispenser door and drawer, providing a smooth, continuous motion and a clean, aesthetically pleasing appearance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the dispenser drawer is designed to slide in and out for refilling, then ease of operation is improved, but aesthetic appearance deteriorates due to exposed mechanical components and discontinuous motion
Solution Approach 1:
The dispenser drawer is nested within the dispenser door assembly, with the drawer positioned to be substantially received within the door when closed. This nesting arrangement conceals the drawer and its mechanical components behind the door's exterior surface, maintaining a smooth, continuous aesthetic appearance while preserving the sliding mechanism for easy refilling operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The dispenser door acts as an intermediary element that mediates between the user and the drawer contents. The door provides a clean exterior interface that conceals the mechanical drawer system, allowing users to access and refill the drawer through the door structure without exposing the underlying mechanical components, thus maintaining aesthetic appearance while enabling ease of operation.
2Ease of operation
If the dispenser door opens to access the drawer, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases due to the need for coordinated door and drawer motion
Solution Approach 1:
The door opening action and drawer extension action are merged into a single coordinated motion sequence. As the door opens, the drawer automatically extends in a continuous, synchronized manner, combining two functions (door opening and drawer access) into one unified operation that reduces the perceived complexity for the user while maintaining the mechanical coordination required for proper operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The drawer is pre-positioned and mechanically linked to the door such that drawer extension is automatically initiated as part of the door opening sequence. This preliminary arrangement ensures that the drawer is ready to extend as the door opens, eliminating the need for separate user actions and reducing operational complexity while maintaining coordinated motion between door and drawer.
3Ease of operation
If the drawer extends fully for refilling, then ease of operation is improved, but treating chemistry may slosh during motion
Solution Approach 1:
The drawer extension mechanism incorporates dynamic motion control that adjusts the speed and acceleration profile during drawer movement. The drawer extends in a controlled, smooth motion that minimizes sudden accelerations and decelerations, thereby reducing sloshing of the treating chemistry while maintaining full extension capability for easy refilling operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The drawer extension mechanism incorporates damping or cushioning elements that are activated during the extension motion to reduce impacts and sudden movements. This beforehand cushioning approach minimizes the generation of sloshing forces during drawer movement, protecting the treating chemistry from harmful motion-induced agitation while preserving full drawer accessibility for refilling.
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure relates to a laundry treating appliance having a dispenser assembly. The dispenser assembly includes a frame defining an opening, and at least one dispenser container mounted to the frame for movement between extended and retracted positions. A dispenser door is mounted to the frame for movement between closed and opened positions. The dispenser door closes the opening in the closed position and the dispenser door opens the opening in the opened position. The at least one dispenser container is operably coupled to the dispenser door such that movement of the dispenser door between the closed and opened positions effects a corresponding movement of the at least one dispenser container between the retracted and extended positions.