Washer Drawer Door Sensing and Guide Design for Safe Discharge
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional top-loading laundry treatment apparatuses face issues where the drawer cannot be discharged when the door is open, risk damage to the door during discharge, lack notification of the door's open state, and struggle to accurately determine if the door is open due to external signals like vibration.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a guide with rotatable wheels to prevent door interference during drawer discharge, a position sensing unit using magnetic forces to determine the door's open state and notify the user, and a sealing unit to prevent water leakage and door damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the drawer is discharged from the cabinet while the door is open, then the drawer can be removed for maintenance or cleaning, but the door may be damaged or interfere with the discharge process
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit checks the door open/closed state before allowing drawer discharge. If the door is open, the system prevents drawer discharge or notifies the user to close the door first, eliminating the risk of door damage before it can occur
Solution Approach 2:
A sensor detects the door state and provides feedback to the control unit, which then controls the drawer discharge mechanism accordingly. This feedback loop ensures the drawer cannot be discharged when the door is open, preventing harmful interactions
2Loss of information
If a sensor is used to detect door state, then the system can notify users of open door conditions, but external signals like vibration may cause incorrect detection
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit waits for a predetermined time after sensor activation before notifying the user. This delay allows transient signals from vibration to subside, ensuring only genuine door open events trigger notifications
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor continuously monitors door state at periodic intervals. By checking multiple times and requiring sustained detection beyond a threshold period, the system distinguishes between temporary vibrations and actual door opening events
3Reliability
If the door is prevented from interfering with drawer discharge, then safety is improved, but the drawer discharge mechanism becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical interlocks with an electronic control system using sensors and control units. This electronic approach achieves the same safety function with simpler mechanical components, as the control logic handles the complexity rather than mechanical linkages
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 safe and accurate discharge of the drawer, prevents door damage, and ensures the user is notified of the door's open state, reducing incorrect determinations and improving operational safety.
Implementation Method 1
a position sensing unit for determining at least one of whether or not the drawer is inserted into the cabinet to thereby reach a predetermined reference position and whether or not the door to open the introduction aperture is opened in a state in which the drawer is inserted into the cabinet
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed is a laundry treatment apparatus including a cabinet having an introduction/discharge opening, a drawer configured so as to be discharged from the cabinet through the introduction/discharge opening, a through-hole formed in an upper surface of the drawer, a tub provided inside the drawer for providing a space for storage of water, an introduction aperture formed in an upper surface of the tub, the introduction aperture being located under the through-hole, a drum rotatably provided inside the tub for receiving laundry supplied to the introduction aperture, a door provided on any one of the drawer and the tub for opening and closing the introduction aperture, and a guide for preventing the door from interfering with the introduction/discharge opening when the drawer is discharged from the cabinet.