Washing appliance with water softener
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Solution Overview
Problem
In washing appliances with integral water softeners and brine generators, salt crystallization occurs around overflow ports due to brine overflow, leading to unsightly salt deposits and potential spills when the drawer is opened, as the brine level is often full and fresh water flow overflows, carrying salt into the tub.
Innovation Solution
A washing appliance with a water softener and brine generator featuring a float valve that controls water supply to the brine container, preventing backflow and ensuring that brine displaced by added salt flows out through the filling orifice instead of the water supply path, thus maintaining a salt-free overflow and maximizing brine volume.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the brine generator is filled to maximum level to maximize brine volume, then the brine storage capacity is improved, but salt crystallization occurs around overflow ports and salt spills during drawer opening
Solution Approach 1:
The invention separates the overflow function from the salt addition function by providing two distinct openings: a first opening for overflow and a second opening for salt addition. This segmentation prevents salt from being carried out with overflow water, eliminating salt crystallization around overflow ports and spills during drawer opening, while still allowing the brine generator to be filled to maximum level for adequate brine storage capacity.
2Reliability
If fresh water flow is used to refill the brine generator, then the brine level is maintained, but salt-containing liquid overflows into the tub during washing cycles
Solution Approach 1:
By providing separate overflow and salt addition openings, the invention prevents salt-containing liquid from being carried into the tub during washing cycles. The overflow opening is positioned and configured to allow fresh water to refill the brine generator without carrying salt crystals, thus maintaining brine level reliability while preventing salt contamination of the wash chamber.
3Reliability
If the float valve is positioned low to prevent brine escape during refilling, then brine containment is improved, but the volume of brine that can be generated is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The invention resolves the contradiction between brine containment and brine volume by separating the overflow function from the salt addition function. The first opening allows overflow at a higher position to maximize brine volume, while the second opening prevents brine escape during salt refilling. This segmentation enables the float valve to be positioned higher, increasing brine storage capacity while maintaining reliable brine containment.
4Device complexity
If a common liquid path is used for both refilling and overflow, then device complexity is reduced, but salt crystallization and brine backflow occur
Solution Approach 1:
The invention eliminates salt crystallization and brine backflow issues by segmenting the liquid path into two distinct openings: one for overflow and one for salt addition. Although this increases device complexity slightly compared to a common liquid path, it completely prevents the harmful effects of salt crystallization around overflow ports and brine backflow during salt refilling, while still maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
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
Prevents salt crystallization around overflow holes and minimizes brine overflow during salt refilling, ensuring that salt does not contaminate the wash chamber, maintaining cleanliness and reducing the risk of salt spills during drawer opening.
Implementation Method 1
a float valve that opens the entrance port when the liquid in the brine container is at a relatively low level and closes the entrance port when liquid in the brine container is at a relatively high level
Implementation Method 2
a check valve that prevents backflow of liquid from the brine container to or through the water supply path when the liquid is above the level of the entrance port
Implementation Method 3
ion-exchange resins typically in the form of small resin beads, exchange calcium ions (Ca2+) and magnesium ions (Mg2+) in hard water, with sodium ions (Na+) to 'soften' the water entering the appliance
Implementation Method 4
a brine generator in which salt (NaCl) is dissolved in water, to supply brine to regenerate the ion-exchange resins
Data Source
AI summary
A washing appliance such as a dishwasher or laundry washing machine comprises an ion-exchange water softening section and a brine generator to supply brine to the water softening section to regenerate ion-exchange resins therein, and a valve (such as a float valve) in a water supply conduit to the brine generator. The valve permits water to flow into the brine generator but blocks back-flow of liquid from the brine generator to the water supply conduit.