Automatic additive dispensing device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automatic detergent dispensing devices for washing machines are either complex, costly, or ineffective in controlling the amount of detergent added, leading to potential damage to clothes and environmental pollution.
Innovation Solution
An automatic additive dispensing device with a simple structure, featuring a liquid storage box, measuring chamber, additive pumping unit, flushing water passage, and one-way passages and valves, allowing for precise and automatic addition of detergent, preventing over/under-addition, and reducing environmental impact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If a detergent case with water inlet pipeline is used to flush detergent into washing barrel, then automatic washing control is improved, but the structure becomes complex and detergent cannot be precisely controlled
Solution Approach 1:
The detergent container is divided into multiple compartments: a storage cavity for concentrated detergent and a dilution cavity for mixing. This segmentation allows the system to store concentrated detergent safely while providing a controlled environment for dilution, reducing the complexity of the overall dispensing mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
A dilution cavity is introduced as an intermediary chamber between the concentrated detergent storage and the washing barrel. Water is introduced into this intermediary cavity to dilute the detergent before it enters the washing barrel, enabling precise control of detergent concentration and amount without complex dispensing mechanisms.
2Device complexity
If undiluted detergent is directly discharged into washing drum, then dispensing control is simplified, but clothes being washed are damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The detergent is diluted in advance within the dilution cavity before being discharged into the washing drum. Water is introduced into the dilution cavity to pre-mix with the concentrated detergent, ensuring that only diluted detergent contacts the clothes, thereby preventing damage while maintaining a simple dispensing structure.
3Device complexity
If detergent amount is not controlled, then device structure is simplified, but detergent is wasted and causes environmental pollution
Solution Approach 1:
A measuring cup is used as a copying mechanism to replicate the exact amount of diluted detergent needed. The measuring cup is filled to a specific mark representing the required detergent quantity, ensuring consistent and precise dosing without complex electronic controls or sensors, thereby preventing detergent wastage.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If a siphon unit is used to discharge diluted detergent, then clothes damage is prevented, but automatic addition and precise control cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses passive self-service mechanisms: gravity feeds concentrated detergent from the storage cavity to the dilution cavity, and a measuring cup automatically measures and transfers the diluted detergent to the washing barrel without requiring active pumping or electronic control, achieving both gentle discharge and automatic addition.
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
Enables precise and automatic detergent addition, simplifies control timing sequences, reduces costs, and enhances washing efficiency while preventing detergent wastage and pollution.
Implementation Method 1
a one-way passage for flowing in a direction from the liquid storage box to the measuring chamber is arranged between the measuring chamber and the liquid storage box
Implementation Method 2
an additive pumping unit for pumping the additive in the liquid storage box into the measuring chamber
Implementation Method 3
a flushing water passage for introducing inflow water into the measuring chamber to discharge the additive pumped into the measuring chamber by the additive pumping unit and flush the measuring chamber
Data Source
AI summary
An automatic additive dispensing device includes: a liquid additive storage box, a measuring chamber communicating with the storage box, a pumping unit for pumping the additive into the measuring chamber, and a flushing water passage communicating with the measuring chamber. The measuring chamber measures the amount of an additive entering the measuring chamber; the flushing water passage introduces water into the measuring chamber, and then the additive pumped into the measuring chamber is discharged. The measuring chamber is flushed; and may directly or indirectly communicate with the liquid storage box. A one-way passage is arranged for flowing in a direction from the liquid storage box to the measuring chamber. By providing the simple one-way passage between the liquid storage box and the measuring chamber, flushing water can be prevented from being guided into the liquid storage box in the process of flushing the measuring chamber.