Washing machine with detergent dispensing system
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional washing machines face issues with water overflow and leakage when a large amount of detergent is loaded in a small detergent drawer, leading to potential flooding and noise pollution due to the complexity of ventilation systems.
Innovation Solution
The washing machine incorporates an overflow opening in the detergent drawer housing to internalize excess water, a front upper rim with inclined openings to prevent detergent blockages, and a movable acoustically insulating flap to reduce noise, allowing for efficient detergent dispensing and ventilation without external hoses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a large amount of detergent is loaded in a small detergent drawer, then the detergent storage capacity is improved, but water overflow and leakage occur due to obstruction of water passage
Solution Approach 1:
The front upper rim is segmented into multiple openings instead of a single passage, allowing water to flow through multiple paths around detergent blocks, preventing overflow while maintaining storage capacity
Solution Approach 2:
The inclined front upper rim acts as an intermediary structure that guides water flow around detergent blocks and directs excess water toward the overflow opening, preventing direct obstruction of the water passage
2Reliability
If dedicated ventilation hoses are added to improve tub ventilation, then the ventilation effectiveness is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The detergent drawer housing is given multiple functions: it serves as both the detergent storage structure and the ventilation pathway for the tub, eliminating the need for separate ventilation hoses and reducing overall system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The ventilation function is merged with the detergent drawer housing structure, combining two separate systems (ventilation and detergent dispensing) into a single integrated component
3Reliability
If the housing opening is made larger to improve water discharge, then the overflow prevention is improved, but the noise from water flow increases
Solution Approach 1:
The housing material is given different local qualities: the main body provides structural support and noise insulation, while specific localized openings provide water discharge pathways, optimizing both overflow prevention and noise reduction
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
A washing machine has a detergent dispensing system comprising a drawer (16) with detergent chambers (B,C,D) and movable within a housing (18) mounted on the washing machine and further having a piping system (24) for hydraulically connecting the housing (18) with a tub (12) of the washing machine. The housing (18) presents an overflow opening (18b) for preventing a possible water overflow from the tub (12) tu reach an upper level of the housing (18), wherein the housing (18) is box-shaped and said overflow opening (18b) is provided on a front side of the housing (18) below a second opening (18a) for the passage of the detergent drawer (16).