Front-Load Washer Detergent Layout for Easier Loading and No Clogs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional washing machines face challenges in facilitating laundry input due to the placement of detergent dispensers, requiring users to manually inject detergent for each cycle and suffer from detergent powder agglomeration issues that clog inlets.
Innovation Solution
A washing machine design with a detergent dispenser positioned below the laundry inlet and an inclined tub, featuring automatic detergent supply and a gear pump system to prevent agglomeration, allowing for easy detergent dispensing and improved user convenience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the detergent dispenser is mounted on the upper surface of the washing machine, then the detergent can be supplied into the drum along with wash water, but the height of the door is reduced making it inconvenient for users to open the door and put laundry into the drum
Solution Approach 1:
The detergent dispenser is relocated from the traditional upper surface mounting to a lower position on the front panel of the washing machine. This spatial repositioning in a different dimension (from upper to lower front area) allows the door to maintain full height for easy laundry loading while the dispenser remains accessible and functional below the inlet port.
2Ease of operation
If a large amount of detergent is stored to supply an adequate amount for each washing cycle, then the user convenience is improved, but the detergent powder particles agglomerate together to clog the inlet when brought into contact with moisture
Solution Approach 1:
A water passage is introduced to supply wash water from the tub to the detergent dispenser, creating a controlled hydraulic environment. This allows detergent to be dissolved and supplied in liquid form rather than storing large amounts of powder, preventing agglomeration and inlet clogging while maintaining automatic supply functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The detergent supply mechanism changes from storing and dispensing powder detergent to storing and dispensing liquid detergent dissolved in water. This parameter change in the physical state of detergent (from solid powder to liquid solution) eliminates the agglomeration problem that occurs when powder contacts moisture, while enabling automatic supply for each washing cycle.
3Ease of operation
If the detergent dispenser is positioned below the inlet, then the door height is improved for user convenience, but the structure becomes more complex with additional water passages and connecting passages
Solution Approach 1:
The water passage serves multiple functions: it supplies wash water from the water source to the tub, and also supplies water to the detergent dispenser located below the inlet. The connecting passage similarly serves dual purposes by connecting the tub and detergent dispenser for both water transfer and detergent transfer. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated passages, managing structural 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
The design enhances user convenience by automating detergent supply and preventing clogs, making it easier to input laundry and ensuring consistent detergent distribution during washing cycles.
Implementation Method 1
a gear pump system to prevent agglomeration
Data Source
AI summary
A washing machine including a cabinet having an inlet port formed at a front panel for laundry insertion thereinto and a door to open or close the inlet port; a tub within the cabinet for storing wash water; a drum in communication with the inlet port, and rotatably provided within the tub; and a detergent dispenser provided below the inlet. The detergent dispenser includes a dispenser case having an opening portion on an upper surface thereof; and at least one of an automatic detergent supply unit and a manual detergent supply unit mounted at the dispenser case. The automatic detergent supply unit includes a container provided with an inlet port and an outlet port for storing liquid detergent; a container receiving portion to receive the container; and a pumping device to selectively discharge liquid detergent discharged from the outlet port of the container by a predetermined amount.