Detergent Capsule Flushing Box for Safe, Uniform Washer Dosing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing washing machines with cisterns for storing special detergents face issues of skin contact, contamination, and ineffective mixing due to high local concentrations of detergents in the drum, particularly with powdered and liquid forms that require manual unpacking and placement.

Innovation Solution

A washing machine design featuring a disposable capsule cup with a removal device and siphon tube system that allows for easy insertion and emptying of pre-portioned detergents, ensuring effective mixing with washing liquid and preventing user contact, using a pivoting cover flap and integrated siphon cap for efficient water supply and detergent distribution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If pre-portioned detergent capsules are used and manually unpacked, then detergent can be applied to laundry, but user skin contact with detergent occurs and contamination cannot be prevented

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetergent applicationVSAvoidskin contact with detergent

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention uses a disposable capsule cup that is discarded after a single use. The capsule cup contains pre-portioned detergent and is inserted into the cistern chamber, where it is automatically emptied into the washing drum. After use, the empty capsule cup is removed and disposed of, eliminating the need for user handling of detergent and preventing skin contact and contamination.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Productivity

If detergent is placed directly in the drum, then laundry treatment is performed, but high local concentration is created and effective mixing with washing liquid is not achieved

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelaundry treatment effectivenessVSAvoiddetergent concentration distribution

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The invention introduces a cistern chamber as an intermediary between the capsule cup and the washing drum. The capsule cup is inserted into the cistern chamber, which contains a siphon tube system. During the wash cycle, washing liquid flows through the siphon tube, automatically drawing detergent from the capsule cup and distributing it throughout the washing liquid before entering the drum, ensuring uniform concentration distribution.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of manufacture

If manual unpacking of detergent capsules is required, then detergent can be transferred to the drum, but user exposure to detergent occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetergent transfer processVSAvoiduser exposure to detergent

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The capsule cup is designed with a self-empting mechanism using a siphon tube system. When the capsule cup is inserted into the cistern chamber, the siphon tube automatically activates during the wash cycle, drawing detergent from the capsule cup through pressure differential and emptying it into the washing drum without any manual intervention. This eliminates user exposure to detergent while maintaining ease of the transfer process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Adaptability or versatility

If a reusable container system is used, then detergent can be stored and dispensed, but cleaning and reuse of the container is required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetergent storage and dispensingVSAvoidcontainer maintenance

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The invention employs a disposable capsule cup that is designed for single-use only. The capsule cup is inserted into the cistern chamber, used to dispense detergent during one wash cycle, and then removed and discarded. This eliminates all maintenance, cleaning, and reuse requirements while maintaining full detergent storage and dispensing functionality. The low cost of the disposable capsule cup makes this economically viable.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

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 solution ensures thorough mixing of detergents with washing liquid, avoids high concentrations in the drum, and prevents user exposure to detergents, with the capsule cup being easily removable and disposable after use, allowing for seamless reuse of the cistern for conventional detergents.

Implementation Method 1

The capsule cup is provided with a removal device (9) arranged on the bottom (8), which can be activated by means of a cover flap (10) that can be pivoted onto the capsule cup. The removal device (9) of the capsule cup interacts correspondingly with a siphon tube (12) arranged on the bottom (11) of the chamber (6).

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSiphon effect: Syphon

Data Source

PatentEP2365120B1Washing machine with a flushing box and insertable container

Publication Date: 2012.03.07 MIELE & CO KG

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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.