Multi-Row Outlet Valve Body for Compact Washing Machine Water Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing household appliances require significant installation space and complex designs due to the need for multiple water flow paths, especially when offering various treatment programs, leading to increased dimensions and manufacturing costs.
Innovation Solution
The inlet water unit is designed with outlets arranged in multiple rows or planes, allowing for a compact and robust structure that reduces the width and material requirements, while solenoid valves control water flow on demand, enabling a compact design with reduced manufacturing costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple water channels and outlets are provided in the inlet water unit to manage several detergents/agents, then the appliance can offer various treatment programs with selective water flow control, but the dimensions and installation space of the inlet water unit increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dimensional reorganization by arranging outlets in multiple rows instead of a single linear arrangement. The valve body comprises a first row and a second row of outlets, allowing water channels to be distributed across different spatial planes. This multi-row configuration enables multiple water flow paths to be managed within a more compact footprint, reducing the overall installation space while maintaining the capability to offer various treatment programs with selective water flow control to different detergent/agent chambers.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple water channels are provided to communicate with detergent chambers, then selective water flow can be controlled for each chamber, but the number of outlets and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reduces device complexity by organizing outlets in a multi-row configuration within the valve body. Instead of requiring a large number of outlets arranged in a single plane or linear sequence, the outlets are distributed across multiple rows (first row and second row), allowing for more efficient spatial utilization. This arrangement enables selective water flow control to multiple detergent/agent chambers with a reduced total number of outlets, as water channels can be routed more efficiently through the valve body structure.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a large number of outlets are provided on the inlet water unit, then water can be supplied to multiple chambers, but manufacturing costs and material requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reduces material requirements and manufacturing costs by implementing a multi-row outlet arrangement in the valve body. This configuration allows water channels to be distributed more efficiently across the valve body structure, enabling supply to multiple detergent/agent chambers with fewer total outlets. The reduced number of outlets directly decreases material consumption (valve body material, sealing elements, actuators) and simplifies manufacturing processes compared to conventional single-row or linear outlet arrangements.
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 configuration results in a compact inlet water unit that saves installation space and manufacturing costs while maintaining robustness and efficient water control, allowing for easier manufacturing processes.
Implementation Method 1
The inlet water unit typically comprises several solenoid valves with bobbins that are activated on demand during different times of the washing cycle
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Household appliance (2), comprising a casing (6), a washing tub (8) for receiving laundry, a detergent dispenser (80) to convey detergent/treating agents to said wash- ing tub (8), an inlet water unit (66) for controlling and supplying water to said deter- gent dispenser (80) and/or said tub (8), whereby said inlet water unit (66) comprises a valve body (144) comprising at least one inlet (130, 132) configured to connect to a water supply and comprising a plurality of outlets (100, 104, 108, 112, 116) for con- nection to said detergent dispenser (80) and/or said tub (8), whereby said outlets (100, 104, 108, 112, 116) are arranged in at least two rows (120, 124) in said valve body (144).