Laundry Machine Delay Start Draining to Prevent Detergent Loss

Solution Overview

Problem

The existing methods for operating laundry treatment machines with a delay start function result in loss of liquid detergent due to leakage through the detergent compartment's clearance, leading to reduced cleaning efficiency and quality.

Innovation Solution

The method involves conducting the draining step immediately after setting the delay start, ensuring no further draining occurs during the delay interval, thus preserving the detergent in the compartment until needed, and using the draining step as part of the water level sensor calibration to determine the reference level for the washing process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If a delay start is set in existing laundry treatment machines, then the washing cycle can be postponed to a later time, but liquid detergent leaks through the clearance in the detergent compartment and is lost during the delay interval

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedelay start functionVSAvoidliquid detergent

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The draining step is performed preliminarily immediately after the delay start is set, before the delay interval begins. This preliminary draining removes water from the tub that would otherwise cause detergent to leak during the delay period, thereby preventing detergent loss while maintaining the delay start functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention applies preliminary anti-action by performing the draining step in reverse order compared to conventional methods. Instead of draining after the delay interval, the system drains immediately after setting the delay start, counteracting the potential detergent leakage problem before it occurs during the delay interval.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

2Productivity

If the draining step is delayed until after the delay interval, then the washing cycle can proceed normally, but detergent that has leaked into the tub is drained away, reducing cleaning efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewashing cycle continuityVSAvoidcleaning efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The draining step is performed preliminarily immediately after the delay start is set, before the delay interval begins. This preliminary draining removes water from the tub that would otherwise cause detergent to leak during the delay period, thereby preventing detergent loss while maintaining the delay start functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of manufacture

If a clearance is provided between the detergent compartment and the tub bottom, then the compartment can be easily manufactured and cleaned, but liquid detergent leaks through the clearance during delay start

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetergent compartment designVSAvoidliquid detergent

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The draining step is performed preliminarily immediately after the delay start is set, before the delay interval begins. This preliminary draining removes water from the tub that would otherwise cause detergent to leak during the delay period, thereby preventing detergent loss while maintaining the delay start functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention converts the potentially harmful effect of the clearance (which causes detergent leakage) into a beneficial outcome. By performing the draining step immediately after setting the delay start, the system utilizes the clearance's presence to allow water removal before detergent can leak, thereby transforming the clearance from a source of problems into an acceptable design feature that maintains ease of manufacture and cleaning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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

This approach prevents detergent loss, maintains optimal cleaning efficiency, and reduces production costs by eliminating the need for specialized seals in the detergent dispenser, ensuring effective laundry treatment without quality reduction.

Implementation Method 1

at least one draining pump connected to the tub, the draining pump being connected to a draining circuit for draining liquid collected in the tub when the draining pump is activated

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPumping: Pump

Data Source

PatentEP3645779B1Method for operating a laundry treatment machine and a laundry treatment machine

Publication Date: 2022.10.12 ELECTROLUX APPLIANCES

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AI summary

Method for operating a laundry treatment machine (1) comprising a washing tub (3) for receiving laundry to be treated and a detergent feeding device (6) and at least one draining pump (26) connected to said tub (3), said draining pump (26) being connected to a draining circuit (25) for draining liquid collected in said tub (3) when said draining pump (26) is activated, the method comprising - a draining step in which said draining pump (26) is activated; - a delay start setting step in which a delay start of said machine (1) with a delay time interval is set; - a delay start activating step in which the delay start is activated to start the washing procedure after said delay time interval; - a washing step in which after said delay time interval said washing proce- dure is started, whereby said draining step is conducted at / immediately after said delay start activating step.