Washing Machine Door Structure for Mid-Cycle Laundry Addition

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional washing machines restrict users from adding laundry or detergent during a washing cycle, requiring them to wait until the cycle is finished or stopped, and may damage certain types of laundry due to the washing process.

Innovation Solution

A washing machine design featuring a subsidiary door and inlet port that allows independent access to a secondary washing space, enabling users to add laundry or detergent at any time during the cycle, with a pulsator for gentle washing and separate water management to prevent damage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the door is locked during washing cycle to ensure safety and proper washing, then washing reliability is improved, but users cannot add laundry or detergent during the cycle

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewashing reliabilityVSAvoidability to add laundry

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The door assembly is segmented into a main door and a subsidiary door. The main door remains locked during washing to ensure safety and reliability, while the subsidiary door can be opened independently to allow users to add laundry or detergent without interrupting the main washing cycle.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The subsidiary door and inlet port are nested within the structure of the main door assembly. The subsidiary inlet port is formed in the door, and the subsidiary door is provided at the door, creating a nested configuration that allows independent access while maintaining the integrity of the main door system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Productivity

If the drum rotates continuously to maintain washing efficiency, then productivity is improved, but users cannot access the drum to add items

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewashing efficiencyVSAvoidaccessibility to drum

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The access system is segmented into a main door for overall access and a subsidiary door for selective access. The subsidiary door can be opened independently without stopping the drum rotation, allowing users to add items while the main washing process continues uninterrupted.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The subsidiary inlet port acts as an intermediary channel between the exterior and the drum interior. Items can be introduced through this intermediate port without requiring direct access to the drum or interruption of the washing cycle.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Device complexity

If the main washing space is used for all laundry to simplify the structure, then device complexity is reduced, but delicate laundry may be damaged

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewashing space structureVSAvoidlaundry damage

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The washing capacity is segmented into a main washing space for regular laundry and a subsidiary washing space for delicate items. This segmentation allows different washing conditions to be applied to different types of laundry, preventing damage to delicate items while maintaining overall structural efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different washing characteristics are provided in different locations: the main washing space for robust washing and the subsidiary washing space for gentle washing of delicate items. The pulsator in the subsidiary space provides gentle agitation suitable for delicate laundry.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 users to freely add items during the cycle, reducing laundry damage by providing a separate space for delicate items and efficient water use, allowing for continuous operation without interrupting the main washing process.

Implementation Method 1

The cover may have a pulsator installed thereon to form a flow of wash water stored in the subsidiary washing space.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid flow generation:

Implementation Method 2

At least one of the subsidiary door and the subsidiary inlet port may have a diaphragm installed thereon to prevent water leakage.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhysical containment: Physical Containment

Data Source

PatentEP3239386B1Washing machine

Publication Date: 2018.06.27 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

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AI summary

Disclosed is a washing machine comprising: a cabinet (10) provided at a front side thereof with an inlet port (2a) through which laundry is inserted into the washing machine; a tub (20) provided in the cabinet to contain water therein; a drum (30) rotatably provided in the tub;a main door (70) coupled to the cabinet to open and close the inlet port (2a); a subsidiary inlet port (330) disposed at the main door; and a subsidiary door (310) coupled to the main door (70) and arranged to open or close the subsidiary inlet port (330), wherein the main door (70) comprises a connection part (320) extending from the subsidiary inlet port (330) to an interior of the drum (30).