Retractable Laundry Drawer With Integrated Water Discharge Guide
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional front-loading laundry treatment apparatuses require users to stoop when loading or unloading laundry due to the placement of the introduction port, and they lack efficient mechanisms for washing, drying, and water management, such as circulating washing water and preventing water from remaining in discharge units.
Innovation Solution
A laundry treatment apparatus with a retractable drawer and accommodation unit that includes a water supply and discharge system, featuring a guider with internal and external water supply channels, and a recovery unit to condense and recycle moisture, allowing for convenient operation and efficient water management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a support platform is added to raise the introduction port height, then user convenience is improved, but the device cannot perform laundry treatment functions
Solution Approach 1:
The drawer unit serves multiple functions: it acts as both a support platform to raise the introduction port height for user convenience and as a functional laundry treatment unit with accommodation space, water supply, and discharge capabilities. This multi-functional design resolves the contradiction by enabling the same structure to provide both ergonomic benefits and washing functionality.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a retractable drawer with accommodation unit is provided, then laundry treatment function is improved, but water supply and discharge becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The water supply channel is designed to be flexible rather than rigid, allowing it to adapt to the drawer's retraction and extension movements. This dynamic design enables water supply to a moving component without requiring complex rigid piping systems with multiple joints and seals, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The discharge pump acts as an intermediary device that actively manages water removal from the accommodation unit. By positioning the pump at the rear of the drawer and using it to actively discharge water, the system simplifies the discharge mechanism compared to passive gravity-based systems that would require complex routing for a retractable drawer.
3Ease of operation
If water supply channels are made flexible to accommodate drawer movement, then ease of operation is improved, but water leakage risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The discharge pump replaces passive mechanical discharge systems with an active pumping mechanism. This allows for controlled water discharge that can compensate for the flexibility of the channels, maintaining reliability by actively managing water flow rather than relying solely on the mechanical integrity of flexible channels under various positions and pressures.
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
Enables easy supply and discharge of washing water, prevents water from remaining in discharge units, and facilitates both washing and drying functions while improving user convenience by raising the introduction port height and managing moisture effectively.
Implementation Method 1
a water supply channel provided along the guider and configured to supply water between the supply unit and the accommodation unit
Implementation Method 2
a laundry treatment apparatus capable of condensing moisture discharged from the accommodation unit and returning the condensed water to the accommodation unit
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
The invention provides a laundry treatment apparatus comprising a cabinet (2), a drawer (3) configured to be extracted from and retracted into the cabinet, an accommodation unit (4, 5) provided in the drawer to store water therein, a guider comprising a first body (63) rotatably coupled to the cabinet, and a second body (65) having one end rotatably connected to the drawer and the other end rotatably connected to the first body, a discharge unit (F) to discharge water in the accommodation unit to the outside of the accommodation unit, and a water discharge channel to guide water supplied from the discharge unit to the outside of the cabinet, wherein at least a part of the water discharge channel is formed inside the guider.