Automatic Detergent Dispensing for Precise Washing Machine Dosing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users face challenges in accurately dispensing the right amount of detergent and fabric softener in washing appliances, often leading to inadequate washing or wastage, as manual dosing is difficult and prone to errors.
Innovation Solution
A dispensing system with reservoirs for washing substances, regulated by a control signal to release predetermined quantities based on laundry weight and wash program, using valves or gravity-fed systems, integrated with the washing machine's control program to ensure precise dosing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual dosing of detergent and fabric softener is used, then users have flexibility in choosing substances, but dosing accuracy deteriorates leading to inadequate washing or wastage
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-dosing automatically by detecting laundry weight and controlling pump operation to dispense precise amounts of detergent and fabric softener without user intervention, eliminating manual dosing errors while maintaining substance flexibility through selectable reservoirs
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses weight detection feedback from the laundry load to dynamically adjust dosing quantities, ensuring accurate measurement by linking substance dispensing directly to measured laundry parameters rather than fixed manual doses
2Adaptability or versatility
If manual dosing is used, then users can choose any substance, but time consumption increases due to repeated manual administration
Solution Approach 1:
The system automates the dosing operation by detecting laundry weight and automatically controlling pump operation to dispense appropriate amounts of detergent and fabric softener, eliminating repeated manual dosing tasks while preserving user choice through multiple selectable reservoirs
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-fills reservoirs with washing substances before the wash cycle begins, and pre-configures dosing parameters based on detected laundry characteristics, so that during the actual wash cycle no manual dosing intervention is required
3Measurement precision
If automated dispensing system is implemented, then dosing precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses a single multi-functional pump mechanism that can dispense different types of washing substances from multiple reservoirs by controlling pump operation duration and intensity, rather than requiring separate dispensing mechanisms for each substance type, thereby reducing overall system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The control program acts as an intermediary that translates complex dosing requirements into simple pump control signals, managing the complexity of coordinating weight detection, substance selection, and precise dispensing through software logic rather than complex hardware mechanisms
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
Automatically dispenses the optimal amount of detergent and fabric softener, optimizing wash performance, reducing waste, and eliminating the need for manual dosing, while providing feedback for pod refills and preventing cross-contamination.
Implementation Method 1
said at least one reservoir is supplied with a pump for pumping a washing substance from within said reservoir to said regulating means
Implementation Method 2
said regulating means comprises a valve, or more preferably, a plurality of valves, the state of which are actuated by a control signal
Implementation Method 3
Alternatively, a gravity-controlled feed system may be used instead of a pump
Data Source
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AI summary
A dispensing system (400) for use in a washing apparatus is disclosed. The system comprising at least one reservoir (402) for holding a number of doses of a washing substance (404), a regulating means (410) for selectively opening said reservoir (402) to release a pre-determined quantity of said washing substance (404) held therein in response to a control signal, said control signal defining said predetermined quantity and causing said regulating means (410) to open said reservoir (402) for a period of time sufficient to release said predetermined quantity of said washing substance (404).