Low-Mounted Detergent Module With Pumped Anti-Clog Washer Feed

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional laundry treating apparatuses are inconvenient due to the elevated position of the detergent storage unit, requiring users to lift detergents to a high location, and are prone to detergent clogging in the supply flow channel.

Innovation Solution

A laundry treating apparatus with a detergent supply module positioned at a lower level, utilizing a detergent supply conduit and pump to efficiently deliver detergent to the tub, and a water supply unit to rinse the conduit, preventing clogging and ensuring consistent detergent delivery.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If the detergent storage unit is positioned at the upper portion of the laundry treating apparatus, then the detergent can be stored in a compact space, but the user experiences inconvenience when introducing detergent due to the high position

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetergent storage spaceVSAvoiddetergent introduction convenience
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional detergent storage position from the upper portion to the lower portion of the laundry treating apparatus. The detergent storage unit is now located at the lower front side, allowing users to easily introduce detergent without lifting, while the detergent is automatically supplied upward to the tub through a supply conduit and pump mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Device complexity

If the detergent storage unit is positioned at the upper portion, then the structure is compact, but detergent may clog in the supply flow channel due to gravity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveapparatus structureVSAvoiddetergent supply reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the gravity-dependent detergent flow mechanism with an active pumping system. A detergent supply pump is installed to actively pump detergent from the lower storage unit through the supply conduit to the tub, ensuring reliable detergent delivery regardless of the inverted storage position and preventing clogging issues.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes hydraulic principles by employing a pump to create controlled fluid flow of detergent through the supply conduit. The pump generates the necessary pressure to move detergent upward from the lower storage position to the tub, ensuring consistent and clog-free delivery.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

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 lowered detergent storage position reduces user inconvenience, facilitates easy detergent supply, and prevents flow channel clogging, ensuring a constant detergent amount is delivered during washing.

Implementation Method 1

a detergent pump provided to the detergent supply conduit to move the liquid detergent in the container to the tub

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPump: Pump

Implementation Method 2

a water supply unit to supply washing water to the tub and to rinse the detergent supply module using the washing water supplied to the tub

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRinsing/Flushing: Fluid Spray

Data Source

PatentEP2708634B1Laundry treating apparatus
Publication Date: 2018.08.22 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP2708634B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2708634B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2708634B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A laundry treating apparatus (100) is disclosed. The laundry treating apparatus includes a cabinet (110) provided with an introduction port (113) for introduction of laundry, a tub (130) arranged in the cabinet to store washing water and provided with a tub introduction port communicating with the introduction port, a drum rotatably provided in the tub and adapted to accommodate the laundry introduced through the tub introduction port, a detergent supply module (200) positioned at a lower portion of the introduction port to store a liquid detergent and to provide the stored liquid detergent to the tub, and a water supply unit (160) to supply washing water to the tub and to rinse the detergent supply module using the washing water supplied to the tub.