Washing machine

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional washing machines require separate containers for solid and liquid detergents, and have limited detergent dissolving efficiency, necessitating additional components and water usage for rinsing.

Innovation Solution

A washing machine with a detergent containing unit featuring a housing, a rotary device with blades, and a nozzle device that mixes air with washing water to enhance detergent dissolution, allowing for efficient dissolution of both solid and liquid detergents in a single unit without additional components, and reducing residual detergent.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If separate detergent containers are used for solid and liquid detergents, then detergent storage is achieved, but device complexity increases and water consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetergent storage capabilityVSAvoidnumber of detergent containers

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines separate detergent containers for solid and liquid detergents into a single integrated container. The container includes a storage chamber with a rotary blade assembly that can handle both solid detergent particles and liquid detergent, eliminating the need for multiple separate containers and reducing device complexity while maintaining versatility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The single detergent container is designed to universally store and dispense both solid and liquid detergent types. The rotary blade assembly performs multiple functions including breaking up solid detergent clumps, mixing detergent with water, and preventing clogging, making the container adaptable to different detergent forms without requiring separate specialized containers

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If conventional detergent containers are used, then detergent storage is achieved, but detergent dissolving ability is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetergent storageVSAvoiddetergent dissolving ability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a rotary blade assembly that rotates within the detergent container to dynamically mix detergent with water. The rotation speed can vary to optimize dissolution for different detergent types, transforming the static storage function into an active dissolution process that significantly improves detergent dissolving ability while maintaining storage capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The rotary blade assembly creates mechanical agitation and vibration within the detergent container as it rotates, breaking up detergent clumps and enhancing the dissolution process. This mechanical action accelerates detergent dissolution compared to conventional static containers, improving productivity without compromising storage functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #18Mechanical vibration

3Productivity

If additional components are added to improve detergent dissolution, then detergent dissolving ability increases, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetergent dissolving abilityVSAvoiddetergent container structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The rotary blade assembly is nested within the detergent container in a space-efficient manner. The blades are positioned to rotate within the existing container volume, utilizing the available space without requiring additional external components or increasing overall device complexity. This nested configuration allows enhanced dissolution functionality while maintaining a compact structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

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 increases detergent dissolving ability, eliminates the need for separate detergent containers, and conserves water by preventing residual detergent buildup, thus simplifying operations and reducing water consumption.

Implementation Method 1

a rotary device rotatably coupled with at least part of a path through which the detergent moves to dissolve the detergent in the washing water

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical stirring: Stirring

Implementation Method 2

a nozzle device that mixes air with washing water to enhance detergent dissolution

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAir mixing: Air Entrainment

Data Source

PatentUS9702078B2Washing machine

Publication Date: 2017.07.11 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

A washing machine including a body, a rotary tub disposed inside the body, and a detergent containing unit installed on the body to dissolve a detergent in washing water to supply the detergent. The detergent containing unit includes a housing coupled with the inside of the body, a detergent container contained in the housing to contain the detergent, and a rotary device rotatably coupled with at least part of a path through which the detergent moves to dissolve the detergent in the washing water. A dissolving ability of the detergent may be improved. Also, it is possible to dissolve a solid detergent and a liquid detergent in one detergent containing unit without an additional component. Also, since it is possible to prevent residual detergent from being left in the detergent containing unit after washing, it is unnecessary to additionally use a rinse function to clean the detergent containing unit.