Pivoting Dispenser Drawer for Washer Chemistry Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Laundry treating appliances, such as washing machines, often have dispenser drawers that compromise on both functionality and aesthetics, with traditional designs failing to provide a seamless and visually appealing integration of sliding and pivoting movements, leading to user dissatisfaction.
Innovation Solution
A dispenser assembly where the dispenser container is operably coupled to a pivotally mounted dispenser door, allowing pivotal movement to effect corresponding sliding movement, creating a unified and aesthetically pleasing unit with a single continuous motion that maintains the container upright, minimizing chemistry sloshing and enhancing user experience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the dispenser drawer is designed to slide in/out for chemistry access, then the functionality of chemistry dispensing is improved, but the aesthetic appearance and seamless integration are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the dispenser door pivoting motion with the drawer sliding motion into a single unified mechanism. When the door pivots open, it automatically pulls the drawer outward through a coupled linkage system, merging two separate movements into one coordinated action that maintains aesthetic appearance while enabling chemistry access.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions the drawer movement from a purely linear sliding motion to a combined rotational-p translational motion. The drawer is coupled to the pivoting door such that the door's rotational movement in one dimension drives the drawer's linear extraction in another dimension, creating a seamless aesthetic profile when closed while enabling access when opened.
2Ease of operation
If the dispenser drawer is designed to slide out for chemistry access, then the functionality is improved, but the sloshing of treating chemistry increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic coupling mechanism between the pivoting door and sliding drawer that controls the drawer's extraction speed and distance. The linkage system ensures the drawer moves smoothly and remains substantially upright during the door's pivoting motion, preventing excessive sloshing while still providing adequate chemistry access.
Solution Approach 2:
The drawer is pre-positioned and coupled to the door mechanism so that it begins to move outward in anticipation of the door opening. This preliminary positioning and controlled movement reduce sudden shifts and sloshing by gradually extracting the drawer as the door pivots, rather than allowing abrupt movement.
3Ease of operation
If the dispenser door is made pivotally mounted for opening, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the door pivoting function with the drawer extraction function into a single mechanical coupling system. The linkage connects the door's rotational motion to the drawer's linear motion, so that one pivoting action simultaneously accomplishes both door opening and drawer extraction, reducing the need for separate control mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The pivoting door mechanism serves multiple functions: it acts as both the access door closure and the actuation mechanism for drawer extraction. The single pivoting motion performs the dual role of opening the door and pulling out the drawer, simplifying the overall control system while maintaining ease of operation.
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure relates to a washing machine including a cabinet defining a housing with internal components of a conventional automated clothes washer, a door mounted to the cabinet to selectively open/close the opening to the cabinet, and a dispenser in the form of a drawer having at least one cup in which doses of treating chemistry can be received. The dispenser includes a door pivotally mounted to the housing for pivoting movement between closed and opened positions. The dispenser drawer is pivotally mounted to the dispenser door and slidably mounted to the housing such that pivotal movement of the dispenser door between the closed and opened position effects a corresponding sliding movement of the at least one dispenser cup between the extended and retracted position.