Compartmented Detergent Box for Concentration-Adaptive Dosing Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Typical washing machines are unable to adjust detergent amounts based on varying detergent concentrations, leading to issues like sparse foaming or excess foaming, which affect cleaning efficiency and require additional rinsing cycles, impacting user experience and energy/water usage.
Innovation Solution
A method and washing machine design that divide the detergent box into independent compartments for different concentration ranges, with a control module calculating the detergent release amount based on the selected compartment's concentration and laundry weight, ensuring accurate detergent dispensing and minimizing residue.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the washing machine determines detergent amount according to laundry weight only, then the device complexity is low, but the manufacturing precision of detergent dosage is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The detergent box is divided into multiple independent compartments, each designated for storing detergents of specific concentration ranges. This segmentation allows the system to differentiate between various detergent types and automatically select the appropriate compartment based on the detected detergent concentration, thereby improving dosage precision without requiring complex external sensing systems.
Solution Approach 2:
Each compartment within the detergent box is assigned a specific function corresponding to a particular detergent concentration range. This local quality differentiation enables the system to optimize detergent dispensing for different laundry loads by selecting the compartment that matches the detected detergent type, enhancing overall system precision while maintaining relatively simple device architecture.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the washing machine uses fixed detergent amount based on laundry weight, then the ease of operation is high, but the adaptability to different detergent concentrations is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically detects the detergent concentration and autonomously selects the appropriate compartment and calculates the required dosage without requiring user input. The control module integrates detergent detection, compartment selection, and dosage calculation functions, allowing the washing machine to self-adjust to different detergent types while maintaining ease of operation through automated processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The control module dynamically adjusts the detergent dosage parameter based on the detected detergent concentration. By changing the dosage parameter according to the specific detergent type detected in each compartment, the system achieves high adaptability to different detergent concentrations while keeping the user interface simple and easy to operate.
3Reliability
If the washing machine releases excessive detergent, then the cleaning effectiveness is high, but the loss of substance increases due to detergent residue
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates detergent concentration detection as a feedback mechanism that informs the control module about the actual detergent type present. Based on this feedback, the control module precisely calculates and dispenses the appropriate dosage, ensuring sufficient cleaning effectiveness while minimizing detergent residue and waste through accurate dosage control.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a fixed excessive amount of detergent to ensure cleaning effectiveness, the system applies partial action by dispensing only the precise amount needed based on the detected detergent concentration and laundry weight. This approach maintains reliable cleaning performance while significantly reducing detergent residue and substance loss.
4Loss of substance
If the washing machine uses insufficient detergent, then the loss of substance is reduced, but the object-affected harmful factors increase due to poor cleaning
Solution Approach 1:
The detergent concentration detection system provides feedback that enables the control module to calculate the precise dosage required for effective cleaning. This feedback mechanism ensures that sufficient detergent is dispensed to maintain high cleaning quality while avoiding both excessive and insufficient dosing, thereby optimizing the balance between detergent consumption and cleaning performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the detergent dosage parameter based on the detected detergent concentration and laundry characteristics. By changing the dosage parameter in response to detected conditions, the system ensures adequate cleaning effectiveness is achieved with optimal detergent consumption, preventing both waste and poor cleaning outcomes.
5Reliability
If the washing machine requires additional rinsing cycles to remove detergent residue, then the cleaning reliability is improved, but the use of energy and water increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system preemptively prevents detergent residue formation by accurately calculating and dispensing the correct detergent dosage from the beginning of the wash cycle. By preventing the problem of excessive detergent accumulation beforehand, the system eliminates the need for additional rinsing cycles to remove residue, thereby reducing energy and water consumption while maintaining reliable cleaning performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The detergent concentration detection and precise dosage dispensing occurs before the wash cycle begins, preparing the optimal detergent amount in advance. This preliminary action ensures that the correct amount of detergent is present from the start, preventing residue formation and eliminating the need for extra rinsing cycles, thus saving energy and water resources.
6Reliability
If the washing machine introduces more rinsing cycles to remove detergent residue, then the cleaning reliability is improved, but the loss of time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system preemptively prevents detergent residue formation through accurate detergent concentration detection and precise dosage dispensing before the wash cycle begins. By preventing the need for additional rinsing cycles to remove residue, the system maintains reliable cleaning performance while significantly reducing the total washing time.
Solution Approach 2:
The detergent detection and dosage calculation is performed in advance before the wash cycle starts, ensuring the correct amount of detergent is dispensed from the beginning. This preliminary action prevents the formation of detergent residue that would otherwise require additional time-consuming rinsing cycles, thereby reducing overall washing time while maintaining cleaning reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for controlling release amount of detergent and a washing device, include: dividing inner space of a detergent box into independent N compartments, wherein each of the compartments is configured to store a type of detergent having a certain concentration range; assigning a concentration level Ci, i=1, . . . , N to each of the compartments wherein the higher the detergent concentration, the lower the concentration level; selecting one of the compartments containing detergent and releasing the detergent in the selected compartment, and obtaining the concentration level C of the selected compartment; obtaining a laundry weight m; and calculating a release amount of the detergent, wherein Vn=1.25*m*(C+1). The formula which is configured to calculate the release amount of detergent is also provided based on both of the detergent concentration level and the laundry weight. Hence, the problem of excess foaming and residue caused by putting too much concentrated detergents which have to introduce more rinsing cycles could be effectively solved.