Laundry washing machine equipped with a treating agents dispenser having water supplying apparatus

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing laundry washing machine treating agents dispensers experience high mechanical stresses and increased failure rates due to high-pressure water flow, which complicates the distribution of water and treating agents, and are costly to manufacture and maintain.

Innovation Solution

A treating agents dispenser with a drawer system and a water distributor that conveys water directly to the washing tub, bypassing the compartments, using separate paths for hot and cold water distribution, and includes a mechanism to break pre-measured detergent packets using a laminar-flow water jet, reducing mechanical stress and improving distribution efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If water is conveyed to compartments through high-pressure flow, then water distribution to compartments is achieved, but mechanical stresses on water distributor components increase and failure rate increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefailure rate of water distributorVSAvoidmechanical stress on water distributor

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The water conveying line is divided into two separate paths: a first path that supplies water to outlets positioned above compartments for treating agent dissolution, and a second path that supplies water directly to the washing tub. This segmentation allows water to be distributed to different locations at different pressures, reducing mechanical stress on the distributor components while maintaining effective water distribution.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If water distributor components are designed to handle high-pressure flow, then water distribution is effective, but manufacturing costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater distribution efficiencyVSAvoidmanufacturing cost of water distributor

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the water conveying system into two paths with different pressure requirements, the water distributor components can be designed for lower pressure applications, simplifying manufacturing and reducing costs while still achieving effective water distribution to both compartments and the washing tub.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The water distributor acts as an intermediary system that separates water delivery functions into two distinct paths, allowing each path to be optimized for its specific function without requiring the entire system to handle high pressures, thereby reducing manufacturing complexity and cost.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If single path water conveying is used, then device complexity is reduced, but water distribution to both compartments and tub cannot be achieved simultaneously

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater distribution capabilityVSAvoidwater conveying line structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The water conveying line is segmented into two functional paths within a single water distributor structure, enabling simultaneous water delivery to compartments and the washing tub. This segmentation provides adaptability for different water distribution needs while maintaining a unified, integrated device structure that does not significantly increase overall complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 solution reduces mechanical stress and failure rates, ensures effective water distribution to compartments, and optimizes the use of external water sources, enhancing the efficiency and reliability of the laundry washing machine while lowering manufacturing costs.

Implementation Method 1

a water distributor arranged above the drawer, the water distributor comprising at least one water conveying line for conveying water from the external water source to a region of the water distributor which is positioned above the at least one compartment when the drawer is in its closed position

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid flow:

Implementation Method 2

includes a mechanism to break pre-measured detergent packets using a laminar-flow water jet

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLaminar flow: Laminar Flow

Data Source

PatentUS10422073B2Laundry washing machine equipped with a treating agents dispenser having water supplying apparatus

Publication Date: 2019.09.24 ELECTROLUX APPLIANCES

AI summary

A laundry washing machine equipped with a treating agents dispenser includes a drawer having at least one open-top compartment and a water distributor arranged above the drawer. The water distributor includes at least one water conveying line for conveying water to a region of the water distributor positioned above the at least one compartment. The water conveying line comprises a first path which supplies with water one or more first outlets arranged in the region and a second path which supplies with water one or more second outlets suited to convey water to the tub/drum bypassing the at least one compartment. A common path portion is shared by the first path and the second path. In a second aspect, first and second water conveying lines extend from hot and cold water sources respectively, to a drawer compartment, without cross-linkage to other water distributor lines therebetween.