Secondary Drainage Funnel Layout for Compact Laundry Boxes

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional laundry boxes are not equipped to handle simultaneous connection of a washing machine drain hose and a secondary drainage hose, leading to impractical and oversized designs when trying to accommodate both in tight spaces.

Innovation Solution

A secondary drainage funnel that mounts inside a laundry box, allowing simultaneous connection of both hoses by directing the secondary drainage into the drain line while maintaining access for the washing machine hose, featuring a hollow body with an inlet for the secondary drainage tube and a discharge opening aligned with the laundry box's drain opening, and including a vent portion with splash guard for compliance with building codes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a laundry box is designed with dual drain openings to accommodate both washing machine and secondary drainage hoses, then both drainage functions can be served, but the laundry box becomes unnecessarily large and impractical for tight spaces

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrainage connection capabilityVSAvoidlaundry box size

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The secondary drainage funnel is nested within the existing laundry box structure, with its inlet opening positioned to receive the secondary drainage hose through the top wall opening, and its discharge opening positioned to discharge into the existing drain line through the bottom wall drain opening. This nesting approach allows the funnel to share the same spatial envelope as the laundry box without requiring additional external space or enlarging the box dimensions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention utilizes the vertical dimension by positioning the inlet opening at the top wall and the discharge opening at the bottom wall, creating a vertical flow path for secondary drainage. This vertical arrangement allows the funnel to accommodate both drainage functions (laundry and secondary) through the same horizontal footprint, effectively using the third dimension (height) to resolve the space conflict.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a secondary drainage funnel is added to a laundry box, then simultaneous connection of both drain hoses is enabled, but the complexity of the device increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrainage connection capabilityVSAvoidlaundry box structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The secondary drainage funnel is designed as a multi-functional component that simultaneously serves as both a secondary drainage receptacle and a flow guide for the laundry drainage hose. The front wall configuration with its specific curvature serves dual purposes: guiding the laundry hose into proper position while also defining the discharge opening for secondary drainage. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention merges the secondary drainage function with the existing laundry box drainage system by integrating the funnel's discharge opening with the laundry drain hose insertion path. Both drainage streams (laundry and secondary) are combined and discharged through the same drain line connection, eliminating the need for separate discharge points and reducing overall structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables efficient and compact connection of both drain hoses, ensuring compliance with building codes and allowing for sufficient flow rates of secondary drainage without obstructing the laundry hose's insertion, thus addressing the impracticality of oversized laundry boxes in tight spaces.

Implementation Method 1

The lower end has a discharge opening formed therein and is shaped to be supported on the lower wall of the laundry box proximate the drain opening with the discharge opening in fluid communication with the drain opening

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid flow:

Implementation Method 2

The vent portion includes a plurality of vent opening extending through the front wall of the funnel

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAir flow through vent openings:

Implementation Method 3

The vent portion further includes a splash guard spaced inwardly from the front wall and partially covering the vent openings

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSplash prevention:

Data Source

PatentUS8020581B1Secondary drainage funnel for a laundry box

Publication Date: 2011.09.20 SIOUX CHIEF MFG CO INC

AI summary

A secondary drainage funnel for use in combination with a laundry box having a bottom wall with a drain opening formed therein includes a generally hollow body having an upper end and a lower end. The upper end includes an inlet opening for receiving a secondary drainage discharge tube. The lower end has a discharge opening formed therein and is shaped to be supported on the lower wall of the laundry box proximate the drain opening with the discharge opening in fluid communication with the drain opening while leaving sufficient access to the drain opening to allow a laundry drain hose to be inserted therein.