Washing machine
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional washing machines require opening the door to add laundry during a washing cycle, which disrupts the water level and process, and existing solutions with auxiliary inlets are complex due to the need for electrical components for locking and unlocking the auxiliary door.
Innovation Solution
A washing machine design featuring a main body with a drum and a door that includes an auxiliary inlet for adding laundry without opening the main door, utilizing a mechanical restraining device and locking guide to lock and unlock the auxiliary door without electrical connections, allowing for controlled washing cycles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an auxiliary inlet is added to the door for introducing laundry without opening the main door, then the water level disruption is avoided, but the device complexity increases due to the need for locking and unlocking mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The door system is segmented into a main door and a separate auxiliary door. The auxiliary door is integrated into the main door structure and can be operated independently. This segmentation allows the auxiliary inlet to function without affecting the main door's sealing and water level stability, while the locking mechanism is integrated into the auxiliary door assembly rather than requiring separate complex systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The auxiliary door locking mechanism uses a spring-loaded latch that automatically engages when the auxiliary door is closed and can be manually released by pressing the auxiliary door. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for electrical motors, sensors, or complex control systems, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining reliable locking functionality.
2Reliability
If electrical components are used for locking and unlocking the auxiliary door, then the locking reliability is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using an electrical locking system with motors, sensors, and control circuits, the patent employs a purely mechanical spring-loaded latch mechanism. The spring provides continuous locking force, and the latch geometry ensures reliable engagement. The user simply presses the auxiliary door to release the latch, eliminating all electrical components while maintaining high locking reliability through mechanical design.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking function is extracted from the main door control system and integrated directly into the auxiliary door assembly. This allows the auxiliary door to have its own independent, simple mechanical locking mechanism that does not require connection to the main door's electrical system, thereby reducing overall device complexity while ensuring reliable locking specific to the auxiliary inlet.
3Ease of operation
If the auxiliary door is made easily openable for user convenience, then the ease of operation is improved, but the safety risk of accidental opening increases
Solution Approach 1:
The auxiliary door locking mechanism features a dynamic spring-loaded latch that maintains continuous locking force during normal operation. The spring ensures the latch remains engaged unless sufficient force is applied by the user. This dynamic mechanism provides a clear tactile feedback when locked and requires deliberate user action to open, preventing accidental opening while allowing easy intentional operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring-loaded latch applies preliminary locking force that must be overcome before the auxiliary door can open. This preliminary anti-action creates a mechanical barrier that prevents accidental opening from minor forces or vibrations, while still allowing the door to be easily opened when the user intentionally applies sufficient pressure to release the latch.
Data Source
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AI summary
Provided is a washing machine including a main body (10) having a first inlet (11), a drum (30) arranged inside the main body (10) to accommodate laundry, and a door (100, 120) configured to open and close the first inlet (11), wherein the door (100, 120) includes a second inlet (11) to allow laundry to be introduced into the drum (30) while the first inlet (11) closed (1209, 1210), an auxiliary door (120, 200) configured to open and close the second inlet (11), and a restraining device configured to restrain the auxiliary door (120, 200) such that the auxiliary door (120, 200) remains locked (2209) onto the door (100, 120), and the main body (10) includes a pressing device arranged inside the main body (10) and configured to press the restraining device such that the restraining device locks the auxiliary door (120, 200) and to release from the retraining device such that the restraining device unlocks the auxiliary door (120, 200).