Nested Detergent Storage Frame for Space-Efficient Laundry Appliances

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing laundry treating apparatuses face challenges in efficiently and stably arranging multiple detergent components, leading to suboptimal ease of use and space utilization within the detergent storage system.

Innovation Solution

The apparatus incorporates a detergent storage system with a detergent storage frame, reservoir, and cup, where the cup is spaced from the container to prevent mutual invasion and includes a blocking portion to maintain separation, allowing for efficient classification and storage of different detergents, with a design that facilitates easy retraction and extension through a housing opening.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple detergent storage containers are arranged in the detergent storage, then the detergent classification and storage functionality is improved, but the structural stability and space utilization deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetergent classification and storage functionalityVSAvoidstructural stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The detergent storage system employs a nested structure where the detergent cup is placed inside the detergent container, and the detergent reservoir surrounds the container. This nesting arrangement allows multiple detergent storage spaces to coexist in a compact configuration, improving space utilization while maintaining structural stability through the hierarchical support structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The detergent storage is divided into multiple independent components: detergent reservoir, detergent container, and detergent cup. Each component can be separately arranged and positioned, allowing flexible classification of different detergents while maintaining overall structural integrity through their coordinated arrangement in the storage system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple detergent storage containers are arranged in the detergent storage, then the detergent classification and storage functionality is improved, but the space utilization deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetergent classification and storage functionalityVSAvoidspace utilization

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Ease of operation

If the detergent storage is designed to retract into the housing, then the ease of use is improved, but the structural stability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of useVSAvoidstructural stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The detergent storage is designed with retractable functionality, allowing it to move between extended and retracted positions. The frame includes engaging protrusions that interact with elastic portions to provide dynamic positioning, enabling easy extension for detergent filling and automatic retraction for compact storage, while maintaining structural stability through the elastic engagement mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Volume of stationary object

If the detergent cup is disposed close to the detergent container, then the space utilization is improved, but the separation and stability of detergent storage deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespace utilizationVSAvoidseparation of detergent storage

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of stationary objectVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

A blocking portion is introduced as an intermediary element between the detergent cup and detergent container. This blocking portion physically prevents the cup from invading the container space while allowing both components to be disposed close together, thereby maintaining both space utilization and proper separation of the two detergent storage spaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS11821133B2Laundry treating apparatus

Publication Date: 2023.11.21 LG ELECTRONICS INC

AI summary

Disclosed a laundry treating apparatus comprising: a cabinet; a tub; a drum; and a detergent storage unit retractable or extendable into or from the cabinet through a front opening, wherein the detergent storage unit includes: a detergent storage frame retractable or extendable into or from the cabinet through the opening, wherein the detergent storage frame has detergent containing walls protruding upward from a bottom face thereof, wherein a detergent containing region is defined by the detergent containing walls; a detergent reservoir installed detachably on the detergent storage frame and surrounding at least a portion of the detergent containing region, wherein first detergent is stored in the detergent reservoir; and a detergent cup installed detachably in the detergent containing region, wherein the detergent storage frame has a detergent container formed in a portion of the detergent containing region except for the detergent cup, wherein second detergent is stored in the detergent container, wherein third detergent is stored in the detergent cup.