Slidable Dispenser with Pivoting Door for Laundry Appliances
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing laundry treating appliances face challenges in providing an aesthetically pleasing and user-friendly dispenser system that allows easy access and precise dosing of treating chemistry, with existing solutions often compromising on design or user experience.
Innovation Solution
A dispenser assembly for laundry treating appliances featuring a frame with a sliding dispenser container and a pivotally mounted door that moves between closed and opened positions, allowing the container to extend and retract, providing a smooth, continuous motion and maintaining an upright position to minimize chemistry sloshing, while offering a clean and aesthetically pleasing design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the dispenser container is made stationary, then the structure is simple, but the user cannot easily access the dispenser for refilling
Solution Approach 1:
The dispenser container is made movable rather than stationary, allowing it to slide between retracted and extended positions. This dynamic design enables easy user access for refilling while maintaining a clean integrated appearance when retracted, resolving the contradiction between simplicity and accessibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The dispenser container is nested within the appliance housing and can be extended outward when needed. This nesting approach allows the dispenser to remain hidden and maintain a clean appearance during normal operation, while providing easy access when the user pulls it outward for refilling.
2Ease of operation
If the dispenser door is made stationary, then the structure is simple, but the user experience and aesthetic appearance are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The dispenser door is made pivotable rather than stationary, allowing it to rotate between closed and opened positions. This dynamic feature enhances user experience by providing clear access to the dispenser container while maintaining a clean integrated appearance when closed, resolving the contradiction between simplicity and user experience.
3Ease of operation
If the dispenser container extends fully beyond the opening, then access is maximized, but the risk of chemistry sloshing and spillage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The dispenser container maintains an upright orientation during extension and retraction through the pivotable door mechanism. This dynamic orientation control allows full extension for maximum user access while preventing chemistry sloshing and spillage by keeping the container vertical throughout the motion.
4Shape
If the dispenser container is retracted fully, then the aesthetic appearance is improved, but the user access to the dispenser is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The dispenser container is designed to nest within the appliance housing when retracted, creating a clean integrated appearance. When the user needs access, the container can be easily extended outward, providing full functionality while maintaining aesthetic appeal during normal operation.
Data Source
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AI summary
The disclosure relates to a washing machine (10) including a cabinet defining a housing (16) with internal components of a conventional automated clothes washer, a door (18) mounted to the cabinet to selectively open/close the opening to the cabinet, and a dispenser (22) in the form of a drawer (27) having at least one cup (26) in which doses of treating chemistry can be received. The dispenser (22) includes a door (24) pivotally mounted to the housing (16) for pivoting movement between closed and opened positions. The dispenser drawer (27) is pivotally mounted to the dispenser door (24) and slidably mounted to the housing (16) such that pivotal movement of the dispenser door (24) between the closed and opened position effects a corresponding sliding movement of the at least one dispenser cup (26) between the extended and retracted position.