Washing machine with drawer assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional washing machines require excessive effort to remove the detergent drawer due to complex retaining mechanisms, which can lead to wear and potential leaks, and the design often results in interference and deformation that complicates easy removal.
Innovation Solution
A disengageable retaining device with a catching element connected at two opposed ends to the drawer's side wall, allowing easy operation and minimal deformation, reducing the risk of detergent leakage and simplifying the removal process by using an operative portion that can be pushed with the thumb.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a complex retaining mechanism is used to secure the drawer, then the drawer is firmly retained in position, but excessive effort is required to remove the drawer and the mechanism is subject to wear
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining device is segmented into distinct functional elements: a stopping element fixed to the supporting structure and a catching element integrated with the drawer. This segmentation allows the retaining function to be separated from the drawer body, enabling easy disengagement while maintaining firm retention during normal operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The catching element is designed to be movable relative to the drawer side wall, allowing it to dynamically engage with or disengage from the stopping element. This dynamic capability enables the drawer to be firmly retained during operation but easily removed when needed, resolving the contradiction between retention reliability and ease of removal.
2Strength
If the catching element is rigidly connected to the drawer side wall, then the structure is strong, but deformation occurs during disengagement and interference prevents smooth removal
Solution Approach 1:
The connection between the catching element and the drawer side wall is designed with local quality variation: the opposed ends are rigidly connected to maintain structural strength, while the free edges are made movable to allow smooth disengagement. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between structural strength and ease of removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection parameters between the catching element and drawer side wall are optimized to allow minimal deformation during disengagement. The catching element is connected at two opposed ends with free edges defined between the ends, creating a configuration that minimizes interference and deformation while maintaining structural integrity.
3Reliability
If the catching element is positioned to engage the stopping element, then the drawer is retained, but detergent may leak onto the retaining device causing defects
Solution Approach 1:
The catching element is extracted from the drawer interior and positioned on the drawer exterior, separated from the detergent-containing compartments. This extraction prevents detergent from contacting the retaining device, eliminating the risk of detergent-induced defects while maintaining the retention function.
4Ease of operation
If the retaining device is designed for easy operation, then the drawer can be easily removed, but the device may be barely subjected to wear and potential leaks
Solution Approach 1:
The catching element is designed with inherent flexibility and wear resistance, and the operative portion is positioned to be reachable and operable with minimal force. This design anticipates and cushions against excessive wear and potential leaks by distributing stresses and preventing concentration of forces on critical components.
Data Source
Figure 1~1A
Figure 2~2A
Figure 3A
AI summary
A washing machine (100) comprises a drawer (1) comprising at least one compartment (1',1'') for receiving an agent for treating laundry, a supporting structure (2) on which the drawer can slide and a disengageable retaining device (3) adapted to delimit a movement of said drawer (1) with respect to said supporting structure (2). The retaining device (3) comprises a stopping element (5) and a catching element (4), the catching element (4) comprising a catch portion (41) adapted to engage with the stopping element (5). The catching element (4) is connected at two opposed ends (410, 411) thereof to a side wall (11) of the drawer (1) and respective free edges (412, 414) of the catching element (4) are defined between the opposed ends (410, 411) which are separated from the wall (11).