Detergent Dispensing Control Using Timed Water Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing detergent dispensing devices for automatic washing machines face issues with accurate dosing, spillage, and the need for user intervention, with complex mechanisms and unreliable temperature triggers, leading to inefficiencies and incorrect detergent timing.
Innovation Solution
A detergent dispensing device with a chamber, water detection means, and a pumping system controlled by an algorithm that ensures detergent is dispensed only when water is present for a predetermined time interval, preventing false triggers from fabric or extraneous items and allowing for adjustable dosing based on wash cycle parameters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual filling of detergent is used, then user control over detergent selection is maintained, but the process is inconvenient and prone to spillage and dosing errors
Solution Approach 1:
The detergent dispensing device automatically detects water presence and triggers detergent release without user intervention. The system self-regulates the dosing process by monitoring wash cycle conditions and actuating the dispensing mechanism at the appropriate time, eliminating manual filling operations while ensuring accurate dosing through controlled release mechanisms.
2Extent of automation
If temperature-based triggering is used for detergent dispensing, then automation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to unreliable temperature gradients in laundry washing cycles
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the triggering parameter from temperature to water presence detection. By using a water presence sensor that detects the introduction of water into the washing machine, the system achieves reliable automation that is independent of temperature variations. This parameter change ensures consistent and accurate detergent dispensing timing across different wash cycle conditions.
3Ease of operation
If simple water presence detection is used, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to false readings from dampness or drum rotation
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of water presence at multiple time points before triggering detergent dispensing. By monitoring water introduction over a predetermined time interval and requiring sustained water presence beyond transient conditions, the system eliminates false triggers from dampness or drum rotation while maintaining operational simplicity through automatic multi-point verification.
4Manufacturing precision
If complex dispensing and indexing mechanisms are used, then dosing accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the complex indexing and positioning mechanisms from the dispensing system, retaining only the essential detergent release function. By using a water-presence-triggered actuation system that directly opens a valve or releases detergent without complex indexing, the device achieves accurate dosing through controlled release timing while significantly reducing mechanical complexity.
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 device ensures accurate and timely detergent dispensing, reducing user intervention and minimizing spillage by using a water detection algorithm to control the pumping system, adapting to different wash cycle conditions and machine types.
Implementation Method 1
Other devices have been described such as in WO-02/29150 which measure a condition of the wash cycle and use this condition to trigger the release of a dose of a washing active... One condition which is exemplified in this document is conductivity of the wash liquor, which can be used as an indication of the presence of water.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a detergent composition dis- pensing device. The device is removably insertable into a washing machine. The device comprises a chamber to accommodate a detergent composition, a detection means to detect the presence of water / wash liquor in the machine and a pumping means to pump the detergent composition from the chamber out of the device. The pumping means is influenced by an output signal from the detection means, characterised in that the detection means has an associated algorithm such that water is not deemed to have been detected until water/ wash liquor has been detected as being present over a cer- tain portion of a per-determined time interval in a wash cycle.