Detergent Capsule Cup Emptying for Even Mixing in Washing Machines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing detergent storage methods in washing machines lead to skin contact and contamination, as well as uneven mixing of detergents with the washing liquid, due to high local concentrations in the drum.
Innovation Solution
A disposable capsule cup with a removal device activated by a pivoting cover flap, which interacts with a siphon tube in the washing machine's cistern, ensuring effective emptying and mixing of detergents, preventing skin contact and allowing for easy disposal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If detergent is stored in inserts in liquid or powder form, then the detergent can be filled and stored, but skin contact with detergent occurs and contamination cannot be prevented
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses a disposable capsule cup that is sealed until use, then discarded after a single wash cycle. This eliminates skin contact and contamination risks by providing a sterile, pre-sealed container that is discarded after use, rather than requiring repeated opening and closing of storage compartments.
Solution Approach 2:
The capsule cup employs a foil-like cover (e.g., aluminum foil) that is heat-stamped to seal the container. This flexible yet impermeable film maintains the seal integrity during storage and transport, preventing any leakage or contamination until the moment of use when it is pierced by hollow spikes.
2Ease of operation
If detergent capsules are unpacked and placed directly in the drum, then the detergent can be applied, but high local concentration on individual laundry items occurs and effective mixing is not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The capsule cup acts as an intermediary device that dissolves in the washing liquid to release detergent gradually. Instead of placing solid capsules directly on laundry items, the cup dissolves in the water first, creating a uniformly distributed detergent solution that then contacts the laundry, ensuring even concentration distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The capsule cup material is designed to change its state from solid container to dissolved form in the washing liquid. This parameter change (from intact container to dissolved state) enables the detergent to be released uniformly throughout the washing liquid rather than concentrating on specific items.
3Productivity
If a capsule cup with siphon tube is inserted into the cistern, then the detergent can be emptied with high mixing, but the removal device must be activated by piercing the cover
Solution Approach 1:
The hollow piercing spikes are pre-positioned on the cover flap, ready to pierce the foil cover as soon as the flap is opened. This preliminary positioning ensures that the piercing action occurs automatically and immediately when the cover flap is opened, activating the siphon effect without requiring additional manual intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The system activates itself automatically when the cover flap is opened. The hollow spikes self-pierce the foil cover, and the siphon tube automatically begins drawing washing liquid into the capsule cup without requiring external activation mechanisms or additional user actions beyond opening the flap.
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 capsule cup design ensures thorough mixing of detergents with the washing liquid, avoiding high concentrations and skin contact, while allowing for easy removal and disposal after use, enhancing the wash cycle's effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
The removal device arranged on the bottom of the capsule cup interacts correspondingly with a siphon tube arranged on the bottom of the chamber
Data Source
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AI summary
The machine has a tub arranged in a housing, and a drum rotatably mounted in the tub. A dispenser (4) has chambers (5.1, 5.2, 6) for provision of powder and liquid treatment agents that are dispensed by washing liquid from the chambers into the tub. One of the chambers for the liquid treatment agent is formed as a one-way container for applying portioned detergent, where the one-way container is equipped as a closed cap cup (7) with a discharge unit arranged at a bottom. The discharge unit is activated by a cover flap (10) tiltable on the cap cup.