Bulk Detergent Dispensing With Dose Feedback for Washing Machines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users of cleaning appliances face inconvenience and inefficiency due to the need to manually refill and dose treating chemistry for each cleaning cycle, often resulting in incorrect dosages that impact the efficacy of the cleaning process.
Innovation Solution
A bulk dispensing system integrated into the washing machine that stores multiple doses of treating chemistry, controlled by a controller and sensors, allowing for precise dispensing and user interface feedback on remaining doses and types, eliminating the need for frequent refilling and ensuring correct dosages.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a manual dispenser is used for treating chemistry, then the device complexity is low, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to frequent manual refilling and dosing
Solution Approach 1:
The bulk dispensing system is divided into multiple separate dispensing chambers, each dedicated to a specific treating chemistry type. This segmentation allows the system to handle multiple chemicals independently while maintaining a unified bulk dispensing architecture, resolving the contradiction between operational ease and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
Sensors are integrated into each dispensing chamber to detect the presence and quantity of treating chemistry. This feedback mechanism automatically monitors chemical levels and communicates with the controller to initiate refilling when needed, eliminating manual monitoring and refilling operations while managing system complexity through automated control.
2Manufacturing precision
If manual dosing is performed by users, then the device complexity remains low, but the manufacturing precision deteriorates due to incorrect dosages
Solution Approach 1:
The bulk dispensing system performs self-service by automatically measuring and dispensing the correct dosage of treating chemistry without user intervention. The controller manages the dispensing process based on sensor feedback, ensuring precise dosing while eliminating the need for complex manual measurement tools.
Solution Approach 2:
Manual mechanical dosing operations are replaced with an automated electronic control system that uses sensors and controlled dispensing mechanisms. This substitution achieves precise dosing through electronic control rather than manual mechanical adjustment, improving manufacturing precision while managing overall system complexity.
3Loss of time
If users manually refill dispensers frequently, then the device complexity is low, but the loss of time increases due to repeated refilling operations
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by pre-storing large quantities of treating chemistry in bulk reservoirs. This preliminary storage eliminates the need for frequent refilling operations, as the bulk supply lasts for extended periods. The complexity is managed by integrating sensor-based monitoring that automatically tracks consumption and initiates refilling only when necessary.
Solution Approach 2:
The bulk dispensing system ensures continuity of useful action by maintaining a continuous supply of treating chemistry through bulk storage and automated refilling. The sensor-controller-refiller system operates continuously in the background to ensure the dispensing chambers never run dry, eliminating interruptions and time loss associated with manual refilling.
4Ease of operation
If bulk dispensing system is implemented, then the ease of operation improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bulk dispensing system achieves universality by designing a multi-functional platform that can handle multiple types of treating chemistry through standardized dispensing chambers. Each chamber is universally designed to work with different chemicals while sharing common control and monitoring infrastructure, improving ease of operation without proportionally increasing overall system complexity.
Data Source
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Figure 2A
AI summary
A method of determining the number of doses and the types of a treating chemistry available in the bulk dispensing system, and providing an indication of the determination on a user interface.