Automatic Detergent Dosing via Washer Recirculation Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing laundry washing machines with automatic dosing devices require complex and costly flushing chambers and recirculation circuits, increasing the size and manufacturing costs of the machines.
Innovation Solution
A laundry washing machine with an automatic dosing device that uses a recirculation circuit to transfer liquid from one region of the washing tub to another, eliminating the need for a flushing chamber by incorporating a dispensing line that terminates at the recirculation circuit, reducing complexity and size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a flushing chamber is used to convey wash product to the washing tub, then the wash product can be properly flushed into the tub, but the size and manufacturing costs of the dosing device and washing machine increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the flushing chamber from the system by using the recirculation circuit's existing liquid flow to convey wash product directly from the container to the washing tub through a simplified dispensing line, thereby reducing the dosing device size while maintaining reliable wash product delivery
Solution Approach 2:
The recirculation circuit is given a dual function: it continues to circulate liquid within the washing tub while also serving as the conveyance path for wash product from the container to the tub, eliminating the need for a separate flushing chamber
2Reliability
If a flushing chamber and complex water paths are used, then wash product can be conveyed to the washing tub, but the complexity of water paths and wash products paths increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the wash product conveyance path with the recirculation circuit's liquid flow path, so that both functions (circulating liquid and delivering wash product) are achieved through a single integrated system rather than separate complex paths
Solution Approach 2:
The complex flushing chamber and dedicated wash product conveyance paths are extracted and removed from the system, replacing them with a simple dispensing line that utilizes the existing recirculation circuit flow
3Reliability
If a recirculation circuit with two nozzles and hydraulic connection is used, then liquid and detergent can be mixed and sprayed into the drum, but the circuit becomes complex and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The complex dual-nozzle system and hydraulic connections are extracted and removed, replacing them with a simple dispensing line that delivers detergent directly into the recirculation flow where mixing occurs naturally
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the recirculation circuit's own liquid flow to automatically mix with and convey the detergent, eliminating the need for separate spraying mechanisms and hydraulic connections
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
This solution reduces the complexity and size of the automatic dosing device and the washing machine, allowing for more efficient wash product distribution and dissolution, while avoiding the need for a flushing chamber, thus lowering manufacturing costs and improving operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a recirculation circuit for transferring liquid from a first region of the washing tub and for re-admitting the liquid into a second region of the washing tub
Implementation Method 2
a dispensing line connecting the at least one container to the washing tub for conveying the wash product from the at least one container to the washing tub
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4
AI summary
The invention relates to a laundry washing machine (1) comprising an automatic dosing device (70) having at least one container (71) suitable for receiving an amount of wash product (D) sufficient for a plurality of washing cycles and having a recirculation circuit (20) for transferring liquid from a first region (3a) of the washing tub (3) and for re-admitting the liquid into a second region (3b) of the washing tub (3). The automatic dosing device comprises a dispensing line (72) terminating at said recirculation circuit (20) which allows to convey the wash product (D) from the at least one container (71) to the washing tub (3).