Restrictor Ring Design for Washing Machine Agitator Leakage Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional washing machine appliances experience leakage of wash substances such as fabric softener during or after the wash cycle, leading to potential rust and degradation of the wash basket.
Innovation Solution
A restrictor ring is integrated into the agitator, featuring a frustoconical and cylindrical design that arrests residual wash substances by preventing them from leaking into unwanted areas, ensuring they are dispensed only through designated ports.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If a fluid receptacle is used to receive wash substance, then the wash substance can be dispensed at the desired portion of the wash cycle, but leakage of the wash substance may occur during or after the wash cycle
Solution Approach 1:
The restrictor ring is positioned to prevent residual wash substance from leaking out of the fluid receptacle before the dispensing cycle is complete. The ring creates a physical barrier that counteracts the harmful leakage effect in advance, ensuring the wash substance remains contained until the desired dispensing time.
Solution Approach 2:
The restrictor ring acts as an intermediary element between the fluid receptacle and the surrounding environment. It mediates the containment of wash substance by creating a restricted passage that prevents unauthorized leakage while allowing controlled dispensing through the dispense ports.
2Ease of operation
If the wash substance leaks onto the wash basket, then the wash substance is dispensed outside the intended area, but this leads to rust, degradation, or deterioration of the wash basket
Solution Approach 1:
The restrictor ring converts the potentially harmful leakage of wash substance into a beneficial contained flow. By restricting the passage of residual wash substance, the ring ensures that any remaining fluid is directed through the controlled dispense ports onto the wash basket surface where it can serve its cleaning purpose, rather than causing harmful pooling and rust.
3Reliability
If a restrictor ring is added to the agitator, then wash substance leakage is arrested, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The restrictor ring is merged with the agitator assembly, integrating the leakage prevention function into the existing agitator structure. The ring is positioned within the agitator housing and works in conjunction with the fluid receptacle and dispense ports, combining multiple functions (agitation, fluid containment, and leakage restriction) into a single integrated assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The restrictor ring serves multiple functions: it restricts residual wash substance flow, guides fluid through the dispense ports, and prevents leakage onto the wash basket. By combining these functions into a single component, the design achieves reliable leakage prevention without proportionally increasing overall device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
An agitator for a washing machine appliance may define an axial direction and a radial direction. The agitator may include a cylindrical shaft that may include one or more dispense ports defined therethrough. The agitator may further include a cap assembly positioned at a top portion of the agitator. The agitator may additionally include a restrictor ring positioned within the agitator below the cap assembly. The restrictor ring may include a frustoconical wall, a first cylindrical wall, a second cylindrical wall, and a trough. The frustoconical wall may include a top surface and a bottom surface. The trough may be defined at the bottom surface of the frustoconical wall.