Upper Housing Detergent Reservoir for Compact Washing Machines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional washing machines with multiple containers for laundry treatment agents increase the overall height of the appliance, compromising space optimization and functionality.
Innovation Solution
A water-bearing household appliance design featuring a main container with a pull-out flushing tray and a reserve container connected via a submersible pump, where the reserve container has a top-accessible filling opening and is partially arranged in an intermediate space between the treatment area and the housing top, utilizing a transparent riser pipe for level monitoring and thermal insulation to prevent agent clumping.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If multiple containers for laundry treatment agents are provided in conventional washing machines, then storage capacity is improved, but the overall height of the appliance is significantly increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a vertical stacking arrangement (increasing height) to a horizontal arrangement within the available width and depth of the appliance. The container is positioned in the intermediate space between the treatment area and the top of the housing, utilizing unused horizontal volume rather than extending vertically.
Solution Approach 2:
The container is integrated into the existing structure of the washing machine by placing it within the intermediate space that is already defined by the housing and treatment area. This nesting approach allows the container to coexist with other components without requiring additional external space.
2Length of stationary object
If the container is arranged in the intermediate space, then space optimization is improved, but accessibility for filling becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The container is divided into two functional parts: a main container portion that is integrated into the intermediate space for compact storage, and a separate filling opening that is accessible from the top of the housing. This segmentation allows the container to be both space-efficient and user-friendly.
Solution Approach 2:
A filling opening is provided as an intermediary access point between the user and the container interior. This opening is positioned on the top surface of the housing, allowing users to fill the container without needing to access the intermediate space directly, thus maintaining ease of operation despite the compact arrangement.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If thermal insulation is added to prevent agent clumping, then prevention of harmful effects is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A thermal insulating layer is applied as a thin film or coating on the container wall, particularly on the side facing the treatment area. This thin insulation layer is sufficient to prevent heat transfer that would cause clumping, while adding minimal complexity to the overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
Thermal insulation is applied selectively only to the portions of the container that are most susceptible to thermal effects, specifically the walls adjacent to the treatment area where heat generation occurs. This localized approach prevents clumping without insulating the entire container, thereby minimizing added complexity.
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
Optimizes appliance dimensions while ensuring high functionality by providing additional storage volume without increasing height, allowing easy monitoring and refilling of treatment agents, and preventing thermal issues that could lead to clumping.
Implementation Method 1
the connection of the container to the main container has a submersible pump
Implementation Method 2
a thermal insulating means is provided between the container and the treatment area. As a result, heating of the container and thus of the treatment agent stored in the container, originating from the treatment area, can be prevented or at least reduced
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a water-bearing household appliance (1), serving in particular as a laundry treating device for washing and/or drying laundry, comprising a housing (2), a treatment area (7) disposed in the housing (2), and a container (14) for receiving a treatment agent. The container (14) is at least partially arranged in an intermediate space (11) provided in the housing (2) and provided between the treatment area (7) and an upper face (10) of the housing (2). The intermediate space (11) can be used advantageously for storing the laundry treatment agent or an additional reserve of the laundry treatment agent.