Laundry Machine Drawer with Moisture Removal to Prevent Dripping

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Solution Overview

Problem

Moisture condensation and liquid collection at the bottom of laundry treatment machine drawers lead to dripping issues when the drawer is pulled out, affecting user safety and perceived machine quality.

Innovation Solution

A retractable drawer with a moisture removing element, such as a brush or sponge, is integrated into the machine's casing to absorb or remove moisture from the drawer's bottom during its movement, ensuring no drips occur when the drawer is retracted.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a drawer is provided for collecting water and products, then the laundry treatment function is improved, but moisture condensation occurs at the bottom of the drawer causing liquid to drip when the drawer is pulled out

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrawer collection functionVSAvoidmoisture condensation and dripping

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The harmful moisture and condensed liquid are extracted from the drawer bottom by the absorption element, which actively removes the harmful substance rather than allowing it to accumulate and drip

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

An absorption element acts as an intermediary component between the drawer bottom and the external environment, intercepting and absorbing moisture before it can drip onto the user or floor

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If the drawer is made retractable for easy access, then the ease of operation is improved, but liquid can drop from the bottom of the drawer when pulled out

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrawer accessibilityVSAvoidliquid containment

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The absorption element is positioned in advance at the bottom of the drawer to preemptively absorb moisture before the drawer is pulled out, preventing liquid from dropping during operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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

Prevents liquid from dripping onto the user or floor, enhancing the user's perception of the machine's quality by effectively managing moisture condensation during drawer operation.

Implementation Method 1

a moisture removing element is provided which is configured to remove moisture from a bottom part of the drawer when the drawer is moved

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 2

a brush element is provided which is configured to brush a bottom part of the drawer when the drawer is moved

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP3348701B1Laundry treatment machine with a drawer

Publication Date: 2020.04.01 ELECTROLUX APPLIANCES

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AI summary

Laundry treatment machine (2), comprising a casing (6) in which a laundry treatment chamber for acceptance of laundry is arranged, further comprising a retractable drawer (42) with at least one compartment (90, 92) for the collection of a product /water necessary for /deriving from said laundry treatment chamber, whereby a moisture removing element (140) is provided which is configured to remove moisture from a bottom part of said drawer (42) when said drawer (42) is moved.