Detergent Dispensing Chambers With Piston Dosing Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing detergent dispensing devices for automatic washing machines are inconvenient due to issues with accurate dosing, potential spillage, and the need for user intervention, with complex mechanisms and unreliable temperature triggers limiting their effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
A detergent dispensing device with a primary chamber for detergent storage and a secondary chamber for release, utilizing a movable piston mechanism with a detachable plug and valve for controlled detergent transfer, allowing precise dosing and eliminating user contact with detergents, featuring a manually operated piston and one-way apertures for controlled egress into the wash liquor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual filling of detergent is used, then user contact with detergent is required, but this causes inconvenience and potential spillage
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into a primary chamber for storing detergent and a secondary chamber for dispensing it. The detergent is segmented into unit doses within the primary chamber, which are then transferred to the secondary chamber for controlled release into the wash liquor, eliminating the need for user contact with the detergent.
Solution Approach 2:
The device enables self-service by automatically transferring detergent from the primary chamber to the secondary chamber using a piston mechanism. The system operates autonomously without requiring user intervention for each dosing cycle, and the detergent is released automatically into the wash liquor.
2Extent of automation
If complex dispensing mechanisms are used, then automated detergent release is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the complex indexing and actuation mechanisms from the dispensing system. Instead of using complicated mechanisms to control detergent release, the patent uses a simple manually operated piston that directly transfers detergent from the primary to the secondary chamber, significantly reducing device complexity while maintaining automation.
Solution Approach 2:
The secondary chamber acts as an intermediary between the primary detergent storage chamber and the wash liquor. It receives unit doses from the primary chamber and releases them into the wash liquor, simplifying the overall dispensing mechanism by separating the storage and dispensing functions.
3Extent of automation
If temperature-based triggering is used, then automated dose release is achieved, but reliability decreases due to variable temperature gradients
Solution Approach 1:
The device is designed to be manually operated by the user, eliminating the need for unreliable automatic temperature-based triggering. The user simply operates the piston to transfer detergent when needed, providing reliable and consistent dosing control without depending on variable temperature conditions.
4Measurement precision
If precise detergent metering is implemented, then accurate dosing is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The detergent is pre-segmented into unit doses within the primary chamber. Each dose is contained in a separate compartment that can be individually transferred to the secondary chamber, ensuring precise and accurate dosing without requiring complex metering mechanisms. The segmentation inherently provides the measurement precision needed.
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 accurate and consistent detergent dosing without user contact, eliminating under/over-dosing and spillage, with the ability to track remaining doses and facilitate easy refilling, enhancing user convenience and operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a mechanism for transferring detergent from the primary to the secondary chamber, the mechanism comprising: i) a movable piston
Implementation Method 2
a valve arranged between the primary chamber and the secondary chamber, which, when operated, permits flow of the detergent composition there-between
Implementation Method 3
the piston comprises two-parts: a main piston body and a detachable plug which seals the primary chamber
Implementation Method 4
featuring a manually operated piston and one-way apertures for controlled egress into the wash liquor
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
A detergent composition dispensing device removable insertable into a washing machine comprises:— (a) a primary chamber to accommodate a detergent composition, (b) a secondary chamber, for releasing same into the wash liquor of the washing machine, (c) a mechanism for transferring detergent from the primary to the secondary chamber, the mechanism comprising: (i) a movable piston disposed within the secondary chamber (ii) a valve arranged between the primary chamber and the secondary chamber, which, when operated, permits flow of the detergent composition there-between.