Laundry Drawer Elastic Strip Retainer to Reduce Maintenance Cost
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional laundry treating machines have drawers with retaining devices that are costly to maintain and replace, require additional structural reinforcement, and increase the size, weight, and manufacturing costs of the machines due to complex interactions between highly stressed parts.
Innovation Solution
A drawer assembly with a retaining device featuring a removably mounted elastic metallic strip ensures the closed position of the drawer, reducing complexity, size, weight, and maintenance costs by allowing easy installation and removal of the strip, which can be designed independently of other parts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional retaining device with highly stressed structural parts is used, then the drawer can be retained in closed position, but the device complexity, size, and weight increase due to reinforced structures
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining device is segmented into separate functional components: a retaining element (pin or protrusion) and a resilient element (spring or elastic component). This segmentation allows each part to be optimized independently, reducing overall complexity while maintaining reliability. The resilient element absorbs stress without requiring reinforced structural parts throughout the drawer assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the retaining mechanism by introducing a resilient element that can deform elastically. This allows the system to accommodate high stresses through material deformation rather than through rigid reinforced structures, thereby reducing the overall size and weight of the drawer assembly while maintaining retention reliability.
2Strength
If reinforced structural parts are used in the retaining device, then the drawer can be retained securely, but the manufacturing costs increase due to additional materials
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs parameter changes by utilizing the elastic properties of materials. Instead of using large amounts of strong material to resist force, the design uses a resilient element that dynamically adjusts its physical state (deforms and recovers), achieving the same strength function with less material and lower manufacturing cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The retaining mechanism uses simpler, less expensive materials for the resilient element compared to reinforced structural parts. These components can be manufactured more economically through standard processes, reducing overall manufacturing costs while maintaining adequate strength for the application.
3Reliability
If a complex retaining device is used, then the drawer can be retained in closed position, but the size and weight of the drawer assembly increase
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the retaining device into minimal functional components (retaining element and resilient element), the patent eliminates unnecessary structural mass. Each component is sized only for its specific function, not for overall structural reinforcement, significantly reducing the weight of the moving drawer assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The use of resilient elements allows the system to achieve retention reliability through elastic deformation rather than through mass. The spring or elastic component provides the necessary holding force through its material properties and geometry, not through weight, thereby reducing the overall mass of the drawer assembly.
4Reliability
If highly stressed structural parts are used in the retaining device, then the drawer can be retained securely, but the maintenance costs increase due to potential failure and replacement needs
Solution Approach 1:
Segmenting the retaining device into separate, simple components makes the system more maintainable. If one element fails (such as the resilient element), it can be replaced independently without affecting other parts of the drawer assembly, reducing maintenance costs and complexity compared to integrated reinforced structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient element is designed to undergo controlled elastic deformation within its elastic limit, preventing permanent damage and extending service life. This parameter control (staying within elastic limits) reduces the frequency of replacements and maintenance interventions, lowering overall maintenance costs while maintaining retention security.
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
The solution reduces constructional and maintenance costs, enhances reliability, and simplifies the design and operation of the drawer assembly, maintaining the drawer in a closed position during machine operation while preventing unintentional opening due to vibrations.
Implementation Method 1
a first elastic part (42) arranged to one of said drawer (2) or said housing (20) and a second part (44), adapted to interact with said first elastic part (42) ensuring said closed position of said drawer (2), arranged to the other of said housing (20) and said drawer (2), respectively
Data Source
Figure 1~2
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Figure 5
AI summary
The invention relates to a laundry treating machine (100) having a drawer assembly (1) comprising a drawer (2) comprising at least one compartment (10a, 10b) for receiving an agent for treating laundry and/or for receiving other products/liquids and a housing (3, 20) on which the drawer (2) can slide along a sliding axis (S). The drawer assembly (1) comprises a retaining device (40) ensuring the closed position of said drawer (2) with respect to the housing (3, 20). The retaining device (40) comprises a first elastic part (42) arranged to one of the drawer (2) or the housing (3, 20) and a second part (44) adapted to interact with the first elastic part (42) ensuring the closed position of the drawer (2). The first elastic part (42) comprises an elastic metallic strip (50) having an apex (52) and two lateral sides (54, 56) longitudinally extending from the apex (52), the strip (50) being apt to be removably mounted to the drawer (2) or to said housing (3, 20).