Washing Machine Subsidiary Door for Mid-Cycle Laundry Addition
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional washing machines require users to wait until a washing cycle is finished to add laundry or detergent, and may damage certain types of laundry during the cycle due to the inability to access the drum during operation.
Innovation Solution
A washing machine design featuring a subsidiary door and inlet port that allows independent access to the drum during a washing cycle, with a separate washing space for delicate items and a pulsator for gentle washing, enabling users to add laundry or detergent at any time and reducing damage to sensitive items.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the door is locked during a washing cycle to ensure safety and proper washing, then washing reliability is improved, but the ability to add laundry or detergent during the cycle is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The door assembly is segmented into a main door and a subsidiary door. The main door remains locked during washing to ensure safety and reliability, while the subsidiary door can be opened independently to allow addition of laundry or detergent without interrupting the washing cycle.
Solution Approach 2:
The subsidiary door acts as an intermediary element between the user and the drum. It provides a controlled access path that allows material addition while maintaining the locked state of the main door, thus preserving washing reliability while enabling operational flexibility.
2Productivity
If the drum rotates continuously to maintain washing efficiency, then productivity is improved, but the ability to access the drum for adding items is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The access system is segmented into the main door closure and the subsidiary door opening. The subsidiary door can be opened during drum rotation to allow addition of items without stopping the washing process, maintaining productivity while enabling access.
3Device complexity
If a single washing space is used for all laundry, then device complexity is reduced, but the ability to wash delicate items gently is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The washing space is segmented into a main washing space in the drum and a subsidiary washing space in the door assembly. The subsidiary washing space can be used for delicate items with gentler washing action, while the main space handles regular laundry, preventing damage to sensitive items.
Solution Approach 2:
Different washing characteristics are provided in different locations. The subsidiary washing space in the door can provide gentler washing for delicate items, while the main drum provides standard washing for regular laundry, matching washing intensity to item requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a washing machine having an improved structure of enabling laundry to be put into the washing machine without restraint, the washing machine including a cabinet forming an external appearance of the washing machine, and provided at a front side thereof with an inlet port, a tub provided in the cabinet and accommodating wash water, a drum rotatably provided in the tub, and a door installed at the cabinet to open and close the inlet port, wherein the door is provided with a subsidiary door that is freely open and closed independent of the door during a washing cycle.