Laundry washing machine
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional laundry washing machines face challenges in easily and hygienically displacing a partition element to manage detergent flow, especially when using both liquid and powder detergents, due to complex layouts and user accessibility issues.
Innovation Solution
A pivotable partition element with a rotary knob-operated grip portion allows easy displacement between lowered and lifted positions, ensuring the partition element can be operated without hand contact with the detergent compartment, and a releasable retaining device maintains the lifted position, minimizing detergent spillage and complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the partition element is positioned inside the detergent compartment to prevent liquid detergent flow, then detergent flow control is improved, but user accessibility to operate the partition element deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The operative element is extended along the vertical dimension (perpendicular to the partition element's blocking surface), allowing users to access and operate it from above the detergent compartment rather than requiring hand insertion into the compartment. This dimensional extension resolves the contradiction by maintaining flow control functionality while improving user accessibility.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the partition element is made movable to allow passage for powder detergent, then versatility for different detergent types is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The partition element is designed as a movable component that can be rotated between a first position (blocking flow) for liquid detergents and a second position (allowing passage) for powder detergents. This dynamic configuration enables the system to adapt to different detergent types without requiring multiple separate components, thereby achieving versatility while controlling complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The single partition element serves multiple functions: it blocks liquid detergent flow when in the first position and allows powder detergent passage when in the second position. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by enabling the device to handle different detergent types with a unified mechanism rather than requiring separate systems for each detergent type.
3Reliability
If the partition element is reached by liquid detergent during use, then flow control function is improved, but hygiene and user comfort deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The operative element (knob or handle for moving the partition) is extracted from the detergent compartment environment and positioned outside the compartment. This extraction ensures that the operating mechanism remains free from detergent contamination, resolving the contradiction by maintaining flow control functionality while eliminating hygiene issues associated with contaminated control elements.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 2A
AI summary
A washing machine (100) comprises a laundry treating chamber (107), at least one detergent storing compartment (10), an outlet (3) through which the detergent is delivered from the detergent storing compartment to the laundry treating chamber and a partitioning device (2) for at least partially preventing passage of detergent through a bottom portion (10') of the detergent storing compartment towards the outlet. The partitioning device comprises a pivotable partition element (20) arranged in the detergent compartment and pivotable about a horizontal axis. The partitioning device further comprises an operative element (21) extending in a direction opposite to the pivotable partition element with respect to the horizontal axis.