Washing Machine Detergent Bypass Flushing for Clog-Free Dosing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing washing machines with automatic detergent dosing systems face issues with clogging and residue buildup in transfer lines, leading to malfunctions and increased maintenance costs, as dosed detergent residues can settle and solidify, requiring frequent cleaning.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a bypass mechanism that connects to the inlet and outlet of the transfer line, ensuring it is flushed with fresh water, effectively removing any metered washing aid residues and reducing maintenance needs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a transfer line is used to feed automatically dosed washing aid directly to the tub, then the dosing device functions properly without intermediate storage, but the transfer line becomes clogged with settled and solidified detergent residues
Solution Approach 1:
The bypass line is equipped with a flushing mechanism that activates before or during the dosing cycle to pre-flush the transfer line with fresh water, preventing detergent residues from settling and solidifying before they can cause blockages
Solution Approach 2:
A bypass line with a T-connection acts as an intermediary pathway, allowing fresh water to flow through the transfer line without interfering with the primary dosing function, thereby cleaning the transfer line of potential blockages
2Reliability
If a separate fresh water reservoir is provided to flush the transfer line, then clogging is prevented, but the device complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The existing fresh water inlet path is made multi-functional by adding a bypass connection, allowing it to serve both its original purpose of supplying water to the drum and an additional function of flushing the transfer line through the bypass
Solution Approach 2:
The flushing function is merged with the existing fresh water supply system by incorporating a bypass line with a T-connection, eliminating the need for a separate flushing reservoir or system
3Reliability
If the transfer line is integrated within a pressure sensor tube, then the outlet opening is permanently flushed free, but separate lines must be laid inside the washing machine causing maintenance issues
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into a primary dosing pathway and a separate bypass flushing pathway, allowing the bypass to be independently accessible for maintenance while the integrated pressure sensor tube continues to provide permanent flushing of the outlet opening
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
The bypass mechanism prevents clogging and residue buildup in the transfer lines, reducing maintenance tasks for the customer and avoiding the need for frequent cleaning, while maintaining the system's efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
the transfer line is flushed with clean fresh water and cleaned with every fresh water surge in the inlet path
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
A detergent dispensing unit (3) is disposed in the upper part of an automatically controlled washing machine, the unit having at least one chamber (8 to 10) for a hand-metered addition of a detergent or liquid detergent portion, and a supply channel (18.1, 18.2, 18.3, 18.4, 18.5) for supplying fresh water for each chamber (8 to 10). Liquid or gel-like washing aid can be stored in at least one storage container (23, 24, 32) attached in the machine part. A unit (25, 26, 33) for the automatic metering of the stored washing aid is associated with each storage container, said unit comprising a transfer line (27, 28, 34) for the dose to the detergent dispensing unit (3). In order to avoid the risk of harmful deposits during the automatic metering of washing aids, without substantially increasing efforts therefor, at least one of the supply channels (18.1) comprises a bypass (29, 30, 35), the inlet side (35.1) of which has a fluid connection to the supply channel (18.1) and the outlet side (29.2, 30.2, 35.2) to the transfer line (27, 28, 34). In this manner, this allows minimized distances for an automatically metering washing aid and low maintenance for the storage unit, while avoiding further disadvantages.