Detergent Additive Box Venting for Smooth Washer Dosing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional detergent additive boxes require manual detergent addition, leading to improper dosing and waste, and existing automatic systems are inefficient due to air pressure imbalances and lack of reusability, causing resource waste and contamination.
Innovation Solution
A detergent additive box with a unidirectional ventilation structure and liquid inlet cover that balances air pressures and allows for automatic, multi-time drainage, enabling seamless detergent flow and reusability by sealing the box during non-use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a sealed detergent additive box is used to prevent contamination, then the box can be reused multiple times, but air pressure imbalance occurs during drainage making detergent flow difficult
Solution Approach 1:
A one-way valve is introduced as an intermediary component in the sealing wall to balance air pressure during drainage. The valve allows external air to enter the box when internal pressure drops, maintaining pressure equilibrium and enabling smooth detergent flow while preserving the sealed structure for contamination prevention and reuse.
2Device complexity
If manual detergent addition is required, then the box structure can be simple, but improper dosing occurs leading to waste and increased workload
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables automatic detergent drainage by utilizing the washing machine's existing water supply and drainage systems. The detergent box connects to these systems, allowing automatic dosing and drainage without manual intervention, thereby preventing improper dosing and detergent waste while maintaining a relatively simple box structure.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a one-time use detergent box is used, then contamination can be prevented, but resources are wasted and matching becomes troublesome
Solution Approach 1:
The invention transforms the disposable detergent box concept into a reusable system by adding a sealed box structure with contamination prevention features. The box can be refilled and reused multiple times while maintaining hygiene, thereby preventing contamination without causing resource waste associated with single-use boxes.
4Manufacturing precision
If the detergent box is sealed to prevent impurity entry, then detergent purity is maintained, but air pressure drops during drainage making flow difficult
Solution Approach 1:
A one-way valve serves as a mediator between the sealed interior and external environment. It allows air to enter the box when internal pressure drops during drainage, balancing pressure without compromising the sealed structure that maintains detergent purity. The valve opens only when needed for pressure equalization.
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
Ensures smooth and efficient detergent dispensing, reduces waste, and allows for cyclic use of the detergent additive box, saving resources and simplifying operation.
Implementation Method 1
Changes of air pressures on two sides of the carrier open or close the opening and closing portion, the air vent implements unidirectional ventilation or is closed
Data Source
AI summary
A detergent additive box includes a closed box body having a cavity inside, wherein a liquid outlet and a unidirectional ventilation structure and a liquid outlet device are formed in the box body, the liquid outlet communicates with a draining pipeline of a washing machine to drain a detergent additive into a washing cavity of the washing machine; the unidirectional ventilation structure balances air pressures inside and outside the detergent additive box; and the liquid outlet device is arranged at the liquid outlet. The detergent additive is stored in the cavity of the box body, and the detergent additive enters the draining pipeline of the washing machine from the detergent additive box through the liquid outlet device. Air in the detergent additive box is circulated unidirectionally to balance the air pressure in the detergent additive box.