Washing machine
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Solution Overview
Problem
Supplementary washing machines require users to manually open and close both the drawer and lid, which is inconvenient.
Innovation Solution
A washing machine design that includes an automatic opening/closing mechanism for the lid, utilizing a combination of sliding blocks, a tension spring, and a sloped slot to enable the lid to open and close automatically with the supplementary washing machine, ensuring water-tight sealing and convenience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If a supplementary washing machine is added to wash small amounts of laundry, then energy efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The supplementary washing machine is nested within the cabinet structure, utilizing vertical space efficiently. The drawer-type supplementary washing machine is positioned in the lower side of the cabinet, allowing the main washing machine and supplementary washing machine to coexist in a compact configuration, thereby improving energy efficiency without requiring a separate standalone unit.
Solution Approach 2:
The washing machine system is designed to handle multiple washing needs through the supplementary washing machine, which can wash small amounts of laundry separately. This multi-functional capability allows the system to address both large-scale and small-scale washing requirements, improving overall energy efficiency by avoiding unnecessary operation of the main washing machine for small loads.
2Ease of operation
If manual opening and closing of both drawer and lid is required, then ease of operation deteriorates, but device complexity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The automatic opening/closing mechanism for the lid is activated in advance by the drawer's movement. When the drawer is opened or closed, the lid automatically follows suit without requiring separate manual intervention. This preliminary action is achieved through the sliding block mechanism that translates drawer movement into lid movement, thereby improving ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The lid opening/closing operation is made self-service through the automatic mechanism. The system uses the drawer's opening/closing action to automatically control the lid, eliminating the need for separate manual operation. The sliding block and tension spring mechanism enables the lid to serve itself by responding automatically to drawer movement, thereby improving ease of operation.
3Ease of operation
If automatic opening/closing mechanism is added, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sliding block acts as an intermediary mechanism that translates the drawer's linear movement into lid opening/closing motion. This intermediate component enables automatic lid operation without requiring complex motors or sensors, as the mechanical linkage directly couples drawer movement to lid movement, thereby improving ease of operation while limiting the increase in device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The automatic opening/closing mechanism replaces complex electronic control systems with a simple mechanical linkage. The sliding block mechanism uses pure mechanical principles to achieve automatic lid operation based on drawer movement, avoiding the need for motors, sensors, or electronic control circuits, thereby improving ease of operation while minimizing the increase in device complexity.
4Reliability
If lid is tightly sealed to prevent water leakage, then sealing efficiency is improved, but object-generated harmful factors increase due to buckling and noise
Solution Approach 1:
The gasket material properties are optimized to achieve effective sealing at appropriate compression levels. By selecting materials with suitable elasticity and compression characteristics, the system achieves reliable water-tight sealing without excessive tightening force that would cause buckling and noise. The gasket's physical parameters are tuned to balance sealing effectiveness with structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing system uses composite construction with the gasket and lid made of materials that reduce buckling and noise. The gasket material is selected for its ability to conform to surfaces and maintain sealing without excessive compression, while the lid structure incorporates materials or design features that minimize buckling under tightening force, thereby achieving reliable sealing while reducing harmful effects.
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
The automatic opening/closing of the lid enhances user convenience and improves the sealing efficiency by preventing water leakage and laundry seizure, while reducing noise and damage from buckling.
Implementation Method 1
a tension spring for elastically supporting the lid with respect to the supplementary washing machine
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a washing machine which can close/open a lid on a supplementary washing machine automatically at the time the supplementary washing machine is opened/closed. The washing machine includes a cabinet which forms an exterior of the washing machine, a supplementary washing machine removably mounted to a lower side of the cabinet, having a lid for introducing laundry and a tub for holding the laundry, and an automatic opening/closing member for slidably opening/closing the lid at the time the supplementary washing machine is opened/closed.