Household appliance comprising a liquid tank
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern household appliances with liquid tanks, such as condensation dryers and steam ovens, face design constraints that make frequent servicing complicated and costly, as existing solutions require complex mechanics for translational movement of the tank from a use position to a servicing position.
Innovation Solution
A household appliance design featuring a liquid tank with biasing means, such as a spring element, and releasable latch means, along with a carriage for translational movement, allows the tank to be easily ejected from its use position to a servicing position without complex mechanics, using an electric drive and release mechanism for smooth operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the tank is integrated flush with the front panel to be directly accessible, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases due to required retractable pulling elements or push mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The tank utilizes its own weight and a spring biasing mechanism to automatically eject itself from the housing when the latch is released. The user simply needs to activate the electric drive to release the latch, and the tank self-ejects without requiring complex manual handling mechanisms, handles, or gripping orifices.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical ejection systems (such as retractable pulling elements or manual push mechanisms) with a simple electric drive that only needs to release the latch. The actual ejection force is provided by the spring mechanism and gravity, minimizing the complexity of the mechanical system.
2Shape
If the tank is hidden behind the front panel to maintain a clean design, then appearance is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates as the front panel must be removed or displaced for access
Solution Approach 1:
The tank is designed to dynamically transition between two positions: a retracted position where it is flush with the front panel maintaining a clean appearance, and an ejected position where it is accessible for servicing. The electric drive with spring mechanism enables smooth transitions between these states.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a carriage as an intermediary component that holds the tank and facilitates its movement. The carriage interacts with guide means in the housing and works with the latch mechanism to enable controlled ejection and retraction of the tank, mediating between the tank and the housing structure.
3Productivity
If frequent servicing is enabled through easy tank access, then productivity is improved, but device complexity increases due to required displacement mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The tank system is designed to service itself through automatic ejection. The spring mechanism stores energy during normal operation and automatically provides the ejection force when needed, eliminating the need for complex motorized or mechanical displacement systems that would increase device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the state of the tank from stationary to movable by introducing a simple latch-release mechanism. The electric drive only needs to change the latch state from locked to unlocked, triggering a parameter change that allows the spring mechanism to convert stored potential energy into kinetic energy for ejection.
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
This design enables easy and cost-effective access to the tank for filling, emptying, or cleaning, eliminating the need for complex mechanics and providing a user-friendly interface for servicing, with the tank being easily integrated into the appliance's front panel without handles or gripping orifices.
Implementation Method 1
the biasing means comprises a spring element configured to be loaded when the tank is moved from the servicing position towards the use position
Data Source
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AI summary
A household appliance (10) is disclosed which comprises a liquid tank (12), wherein the tank is adapted for translational movement between a use position in which the tank is positioned within a housing (15) of the household appliance and a servicing positon in which the tank is at least partially extracted from the housing, the household appliance further comprises biasing means (30) for biasing the tank towards the servicing position, and releasable latch means (36; 38; 58) for selectively arresting the tank in the use position or releasing the tank for movement towards the servicing position. In accordance with the invention: the household appliance (10) further comprises a carriage (24) associated to the tank (12) and configured for translational movement along guide means (28) provided in the housing (15); the biasing means (30) comprises a spring element configured to be loaded when the tank (12) is moved from the servicing position towards the use position; and the latch means comprises: - a catch (36) provided at the carriage, - a locking member (38; 58) located at the housing (15)which in the use position of the tank (12) engages the catch (36) to arrest the tank in the use position, and - release means (40; 62) for disengaging the locking member from the catch (36).