Auto-Dosing Detergent Rheology for Stable Washing Machine Dispensing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Automatic cleaning machines with auto-dosing capabilities experience significant detergent dosing fluctuations, leading to inconsistent cleaning performance, and existing solutions to improve precision are costly and complex to implement.
Innovation Solution
A liquid detergent with a total surfactant level of at least 25 wt% and high-shear viscosity ranging from 10 mPa·s to 500 mPa·s, which exhibits shear-thinning properties, reducing dosing fluctuations by maintaining high viscosity at low shear rates and low viscosity at high shear rates, thereby improving dosing accuracy without additional precision-improving devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If additional precision-improving devices (such as single dose chamber with sensors and controllers) are installed to reduce dosing deviations, then dosing precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the rheological parameters of the detergent composition itself, specifically controlling viscosity at different shear rates. By formulating the detergent to have appropriate viscosity characteristics (low viscosity at high shear rates for easy dispensing, controlled viscosity at low shear rates for dosing accuracy), the system achieves precise dosing without adding complex mechanical or electronic control devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the need for complex mechanical precision-dosing devices (such as sensors, controllers, and single-dose chambers) with a chemically-formulated detergent composition. The detergent's inherent rheological properties substitute for mechanical precision-control systems, achieving accurate dosing through material science rather than engineering complexity.
2Manufacturing precision
If additional precision-improving devices are installed to reduce dosing deviations, then dosing precision is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the chemical composition parameters of the detergent, specifically the viscosity-shear rate relationship, to achieve precise dosing. This formulation approach is more cost-effective than installing expensive precision-dosing hardware, as it leverages material properties rather than requiring additional manufactured components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a chemically-formulated detergent composition that can be easily manufactured and dispensed without requiring expensive, complex dosing equipment. The solution trades the cost of precision hardware for the cost of formulated material, which is inherently cheaper and easier to manufacture at scale.
3Device complexity
If manual filling of detergent dispensing trays is performed, then no additional devices are needed, but user convenience decreases and dosing accuracy cannot be ensured
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the detergent composition to 'self-regulate' the dosing process through its inherent rheological properties. The detergent automatically provides consistent dosing without user intervention or complex device control, as the viscosity-shear rate relationship ensures proper flow and dispensing characteristics throughout the dosing process.
4Productivity
If auto-dosing devices operate at high dosing rate and high shear, then productivity is improved, but dosing fluctuations increase without precision-improving devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent specifically engineers the detergent's viscosity-shear rate relationship to handle high-speed dosing conditions. By controlling the detergent to have low viscosity at high shear rates (high dosing rates) while maintaining appropriate viscosity at low shear rates, the system achieves both high productivity and dosing consistency simultaneously, without requiring precision-improving devices.
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 use of this detergent composition significantly reduces dosing fluctuations and enhances cleaning performance consistency in automatic cleaning machines, improving dosing accuracy and reducing the need for additional precision devices or machine replacement.
Implementation Method 1
a high-shear viscosity ranging from about 10 mPa·s to about 500 mPa·s when measured at 20° C. at a relatively high shear rate of about 20 s−1
Data Source
AI summary
A method for reducing auto-dosing fluctuation of a washing machine equipped with an automatic dosing device, by using a liquid detergent with a relatively low high-shear viscosity. A cleaning system including a washing machine equipped with an auto-dosing device, in combination with a liquid detergent characterized by a relative low high-shear viscosity.