Removable Laundry Basket Assembly for Cross-Contamination Isolation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Laundry treating appliances with a single rotating basket lack the ability to effectively separate and prevent cross-contamination between different treating chemistries and loads, as they operate at fixed speeds regardless of laundry characteristics, potentially leading to deleterious effects when mixed.
Innovation Solution
A dual-basket system with a removable upper basket that forms a liquid-tight seal with the lower basket, allowing for separate treatment chambers to minimize cross-contamination by using sealing features such as annular protrusions, rubber rings, and curtains to prevent fluid exchange between the chambers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single rotating basket is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but cross-contamination between different treating chemistries and loads occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The single basket is segmented into multiple separate treating chambers (first treating chamber, second treating chamber, third treating chamber) that are fluidly isolated from each other. Each chamber can hold different laundry loads and treating chemistries independently, preventing cross-contamination while maintaining a relatively simple overall device structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a nested basket configuration where an inner basket (containing second and third treating chambers) is placed within an outer basket (containing first treating chamber). This nesting arrangement allows multiple treating chambers to coexist in a compact space without requiring a completely separate basket for each chamber, thus limiting device complexity increase.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a dual-basket system is implemented, then cross-contamination is prevented, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a nested basket configuration where an inner basket (containing second and third treating chambers) is placed within an outer basket (containing first treating chamber). This nesting arrangement allows multiple treating chambers to coexist in a compact space without requiring a completely separate basket for each chamber, thus limiting device complexity increase.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller is designed to implement multiple pre-programmed cycles of operation that can treat laundry in one or more of the treating chambers simultaneously or sequentially. This multi-functionality allows the system to handle various laundry scenarios (single load, multiple loads, different chemistries) without requiring separate dedicated systems for each scenario.
3Device complexity
If the controller rotates the basket at fixed speeds, then the control system is simplified, but the treatment effectiveness is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The controller dynamically adjusts the rotation speed of the basket based on the selected cycle of operation and the characteristics of the laundry items being treated. Instead of rotating at fixed speeds, the system can vary speeds to optimize treatment effectiveness for different laundry types, loads, and chemistries while still maintaining a relatively simple control architecture through pre-programmed cycles.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for a laundry treating appliance can include a tub carrying a first basket defining a first treating chamber. A removable basket assembly can be included in the laundry treating appliance selectively carried at least partially within the first basket. A portion of the second basket can be sloped complementary to a portion of the second basket or a portion of the second basket in order to form a liquid-tight seal between the first basket and the second basket.