Laundry Drawer External Closure Device to Reduce Detergent Spillage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing laundry appliances require users to insert their fingers into small apertures to operate drain valves, making the process slow, uncomfortable, and prone to detergent spillage during emptying, which can lead to inefficient and messy cleaning operations.

Innovation Solution

A laundry appliance with a drawer featuring external, user-accessible closure devices for emptying holes, utilizing a plug element and sealing portion to securely open and close the holes externally, preventing detergent spillage and allowing for easy, reliable emptying.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If drain valves are provided within the drawer for emptying storage compartments, then the drawer can be emptied of laundry treatment agents, but the user must insert fingers through small apertures to operate the valves, making the process slow, uncomfortable, and prone to detergent spillage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of operating drain valveVSAvoidtime required for emptying operation

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The closure device is extracted from the interior of the drawer and positioned on the external face of the drawer body. This allows the user to operate the drain valve from outside the drawer, eliminating the need to insert fingers through small apertures and making the emptying operation faster and more comfortable.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

A shaft is provided that extends from the drain valve through the drawer body to the external face. This shaft acts as an intermediary, transmitting the user's rotational input from the external operating element to the drain valve mechanism inside the drawer, enabling remote operation without direct access to the valve.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If drain valves are positioned inside the drawer, then they can control emptying of compartments, but the user enters contact with detergent contained inside, getting the finger dirty

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of operating drain valveVSAvoiddetergent contact with user

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The operating element of the closure device is extracted to the external face of the drawer, allowing the user to operate the drain valve without inserting fingers into the drawer interior. This eliminates direct contact with laundry treatment agents and prevents contamination.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Ease of operation

If drain valves are provided within the drawer, then compartments can be emptied, but one drain valve can be kept open while drawer is inserted in machine, with risks of undue flushing of detergent

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of operating drain valveVSAvoidrisk of undue detergent flushing

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The closure device is positioned on the external face of the drawer, making it visible and accessible to the user. This allows the user to verify and control the closed position of the drain valve before inserting the drawer into the machine, preventing accidental detergent flushing during operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Device complexity

If small apertures are provided on the cover for operating drain valves, then the valves can be accessed, but the process becomes slow and uncomfortable requiring finger insertion through small openings

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructure of drain valve accessVSAvoidease of operating drain valve

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The operating element is extracted to the external face of the drawer, completely eliminating the need for small apertures in the cover. The user can operate the drain valve from outside the drawer through a large external element, making the process fast and comfortable.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of providing access to the drain valve through small apertures in the cover (internal access), the operating element is placed on the external face of the drawer (external access). This inversion of the access approach eliminates the need for small openings and simplifies the operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentUS11718948B2Laundry treatment appliance with improved drawer

Publication Date: 2023.08.08 ELECTROLUX APPLIANCES

AI summary

A laundry treatment appliance having a cabinet accommodating a laundry treatment chamber and a drawer adapted to slide into the cabinet. The drawer has external walls defining the external shape of a portion of the drawer, and at least one compartment for containing laundry treatment agent. Said compartment is delimited at least partially by at least a portion of at least one external wall, which has an emptying hole. Said emptying hole is in fluid communication with the at least one compartment. The drawer comprises a closure device adapted to be operated for selectively closing and opening said emptying hole. Said closure device is arranged on an external side of the external wall so as to be accessible and operated by a user externally to the drawer for closing and opening the corresponding emptying hole.