Additive Dispenser Water Sequencing to Prevent Chamber Residue
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Solution Overview
Problem
Automated washing machines often experience unintentional water flow from one additive chamber to another, leading to residual water and additive residue in the dispenser chambers, which can cause issues during subsequent use.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for evacuating additive chambers in a washing device by injecting water into the first chamber after the second chamber has dispensed its contents, utilizing a siphoning effect to flush out residual water and additives, ensuring that the water level is sufficient to initiate siphoning and prevent unintended water collection in other chambers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If water is injected into a second additive chamber, then the second chamber can dispense its contents, but water may unintentionally flow into a first additive chamber causing residual water collection
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary evacuation of the first additive chamber by injecting water into it before the second chamber dispensing operation. This preliminary action prevents the harmful effect of unintentional water flow and residual water collection by clearing the first chamber in advance, allowing the second chamber to dispense without causing cross-chamber contamination.
2Reliability
If water is used to flush out residual water from an additive chamber, then chamber cleanliness is improved, but additional water consumption occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses a single water injection mechanism to perform multiple functions: it evacuates residual water from chambers during the dispensing sequence and also flushes out additive residue. This multi-functional approach ensures chamber cleanliness without requiring separate flushing systems, thereby managing water consumption efficiently while maintaining reliability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple additive chambers are used in a dispenser, then additive versatility is improved, but the risk of unintended water flow between chambers increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system systematically evacuates each additive chamber by injecting water into them in sequence before their respective dispensing operations. This preliminary evacuation action addresses the increased risk of cross-chamber water flow that arises from having multiple chambers, allowing each chamber to be cleared of residual water and residue before use, thereby maintaining additive versatility without the harmful cross-contamination effect.
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
This approach effectively prevents unintentional water collection in additive chambers, maintains chamber cleanliness, and ensures accurate dispensing of additives during subsequent wash cycles by utilizing a sequential water delivery process that includes reserving water for flushing purposes.
Implementation Method 1
water may be injected into first additive chamber to flush out any residual water or additive residue (e.g., via a siphoning effect)
Data Source
AI summary
An automatic washing machine includes a wash additive dispenser for dispensing detergent and one or more additives into a wash tub. Water is delivered to a first wash agent chamber in the wash additive dispenser for delivery into a wash tub during a wash cycle. Water is subsequently delivered to a second wash agent chamber to flush from that chamber any unintended collection of water or additive residue therein, as may result from the water delivery to the first wash agent chamber and/or from an earlier dispensing of additive from the second wash agent chamber.