Autodosing Detergent Drawer With Integrated Control Panel
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current laundry washing machines have complex detergent dispensing systems that complicate the automatic dosing and water supply processes, leading to inefficiencies and increased complexity in the detergent dispensing assembly and fresh-water supply circuit.
Innovation Solution
A simplified laundry washing machine design featuring an autodosing detergent dispenser with movable reservoirs and pumps that automatically dose detergent and softener based on the selected washing cycle, integrated with a streamlined fresh-water supply circuit, allowing for efficient fluid communication between the detergent reservoirs, pumps, and collecting chamber.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If a fully automatic autodosing detergent dispenser with multiple reservoirs and pumps is implemented, then the extent of automation is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the detergent dispenser and fresh-water supply circuit into a single integrated assembly. The detergent reservoirs are positioned to receive water directly from the fresh-water supply circuit, eliminating the need for separate water delivery mechanisms to each reservoir. This consolidation reduces the number of independent components while maintaining automatic dosing functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The fresh-water supply circuit serves multiple functions: it provides water to the detergent reservoirs for mixing, supplies water to the washing tub, and enables the autodosing mechanism to operate. By making the water supply system multi-functional, the patent reduces overall system complexity while achieving complete automation of detergent dispensing.
2Quantity of substance
If detergent reservoirs are made larger to increase load capacity, then the quantity of substance is improved, but the volume of the detergent dispensing assembly increases
Solution Approach 1:
The detergent reservoirs are nested within the drawer-like supporting structure, which itself is integrated into the detergent dispensing assembly. The reservoirs utilize the internal volume of the supporting structure efficiently, allowing large storage capacity without proportionally increasing the external dimensions of the entire assembly. The nested arrangement maximizes space utilization.
3Ease of operation
If the drawer-like supporting structure is made completely extractable for ease of operation, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability of fluid connections may worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The drawer-like supporting structure is designed to be movable between extracted and retracted positions, allowing users to easily access and refill detergent reservoirs when needed. The system dynamically transitions between these states while maintaining reliable fluid connections through flexible hoses that accommodate the movement without compromising connection integrity.
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 solution simplifies the detergent dispensing system, increases the load capacity of detergent reservoirs, reduces hydraulic connection complexity, and enhances the overall efficiency of detergent distribution during washing cycles, while maintaining user accessibility and ease of maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
a respective detergent feeding pump which is structured to selectively suck, from the corresponding detergent reservoir, the amount of the detergent, softener or other washing agent for performing the selected washing cycle, and to pump/channel said specific amount of detergent, softener or other washing agent into a detergent collecting chamber
Data Source
AI summary
Laundry washing machine has a casing, a washing tub with its opening facing a laundry loading/unloading opening on a the front wall of the casing, an autodosing detergent dispenser for automatically dosing, on the basis of the selected washing cycle, the suitable amount/dose of detergent, softener and/or other washing agent, and feeding said amount/dose into the washing tub. An appliance control panel is located/arranged on a front side of the drawer-like supporting structure which is fitted/inserted in extractable manner into a drawer housing extending inside the casing underneath the upper worktop or top wall of the casing. The autodosing detergent dispenser has one or more detergent reservoirs. A detergent collecting chamber communicates with the inside of the washing tub. Each detergent reservoir has a respective detergent feeding pump structured to selectively suck the specific amount of the detergent, softener or other washing agent necessary for performing the selected washing cycle.