Retractable Laundry Drawer With Inclined Drainage for Residual Water
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Solution Overview
Problem
Front-loading laundry treatment apparatuses require users to stoop to load or unload laundry due to the introduction port being positioned lower than waist level, making the process inconvenient.
Innovation Solution
A laundry treatment apparatus with a retractable accommodation unit and a guider system that includes an inclined water discharge channel and a residual water discharge tube with an opening and closing device, allowing for easy water supply and discharge, and preventing water from remaining in the discharge unit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a support platform is added to raise the introduction port height, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support platform is merged with the accommodation unit (drawer) into a single integrated structure. The drawer body itself serves as both the support platform and the container for laundry, eliminating the need for separate support structures while providing both height elevation and laundry accommodation functions simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The drawer-type accommodation unit serves multiple functions: it acts as a support platform to raise the introduction port height, provides storage space for laundry, and functions as a retractable unit for easy loading and unloading. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate dedicated support structures.
2Ease of operation
If a retractable accommodation unit is provided, then ease of operation is improved, but water supply and discharge becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses flexible hoses instead of rigid pipes to connect the movable drawer to the water supply and discharge systems. These flexible conduits can accommodate the retraction and extension movements of the drawer while maintaining sealed fluid connections, enabling both mobility and water management.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediate connection mechanisms (such as telescopic channels and flexible couplings) between the fixed water supply system and the movable drawer. These intermediaries transmit water while accommodating the relative motion between the stationary cabinet and the retractable accommodation unit.
3Ease of operation
If the drawer is made retractable for easy access, then ease of operation is improved, but water may remain in the discharge channel
Solution Approach 1:
The discharge channel is designed with a downward slope toward the drawer, creating a gravitational equipotential gradient that ensures water naturally flows to the lowest point (the drawer) regardless of the drawer's position. This gradient design ensures complete water discharge even when the drawer is retracted or extended.
Solution Approach 2:
The discharge unit includes a residual water discharge tube that is positioned and configured to drain remaining water from the discharge channel before the drawer is fully retracted or removed. This preliminary draining action prevents water from being trapped in the channel.
4Device complexity
If the introduction port is positioned at low level, then device complexity is reduced, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The introduction port is made dynamic through the retractable drawer mechanism. Instead of being fixed at a low level, the introduction port moves vertically with the drawer, allowing it to be positioned at a convenient height during use while maintaining a compact structure when retracted. This dynamic positioning improves ergonomics without adding complex fixed-height adjustment mechanisms.
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 convenient loading and unloading of laundry without stooping and effectively manages water supply and discharge to prevent residual water issues, enhancing user experience and operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The water discharge channel may be inclined such that washing water in the water discharge channel moves back toward the discharge unit based on the discharge unit being turned off
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3(a)~3(b)
AI summary
A laundry treatment apparatus (100) is disclosed. The apparatus includes a cabinet (2) having an open surface, a drawer body (31) provided in the cabinet (2) and retractable from the cabinet through the open surface (21), a drawer panel (33) provided at the drawer body (31) to close the open surface, an accommodation unit (4, 5) provided at the drawer body (31) and having a space for containing washing water, a discharge unit ((F) for discharging washing water contained in the accommodation unit to the outside of the accommodation unit, a water discharge channel for guiding washing water discharged from the accommodation unit through the discharge unit to the outside of the cabinet, and a residual water discharge unit (9) exposed to the outside of the cabinet to discharge washing water in the discharge unit depending on withdrawal of the drawer body.