Detergent Dispensing Mechanism With Piston-Controlled Dosing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing detergent dispensing devices for automatic washing machines are inconvenient due to issues with accurate metering, potential spillage, and the need for direct 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, featuring a movable piston and valve mechanism that allows controlled dosing directly into the washing machine, eliminating user contact and ensuring accurate dosing through manual operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If manual filling of detergent into the machine is used, then the user has direct control over the detergent, but the process is inconvenient and risks spillage and inaccurate metering

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetergent metering accuracyVSAvoidconvenience of detergent filling

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The device divides the detergent storage into multiple sealed compartments, each containing a pre-measured detergent dose. This segmentation allows accurate metering without manual measurement while maintaining ease of operation through simple compartment selection and activation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The detergent doses are pre-measured and sealed in compartments before use. This preliminary action eliminates the need for accurate manual metering during operation, ensuring precision while maintaining convenience through pre-prepared units.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If detergent is stored separately and handled every cycle, then the detergent can be stored safely, but time is wasted and direct contact with irritant detergent is required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetime saved in detergent handlingVSAvoiduser exposure to irritant detergent

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The device merges the detergent storage container with the dispensing mechanism, integrating both functions into a single unit. This allows the detergent to be stored safely within the device while automating the dispensing process, eliminating the need for users to handle the detergent directly and saving time during each cycle.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The device is designed to dispense detergent automatically through activation by the washing machine's operational conditions (water flow, temperature, or mechanical activation). This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for user intervention in the dispensing process, reducing exposure to irritant detergent and saving time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Extent of automation

If temperature-activated dispensing is used, then the device can operate automatically, but temperature gradients are unreliable triggers in laundry washing cycles

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomatic detergent dispensingVSAvoidreliability of temperature trigger

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention replaces unreliable thermal activation with a mechanical activation system that responds to the washing machine's operational conditions. The mechanical activation mechanism (such as a lever or cam system) is triggered by the machine's movement or water flow, providing a more reliable and consistent activation method that works across different temperature settings.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Productivity

If complex dispensing and indexing mechanisms are used, then multiple doses can be dispensed automatically, but the device complexity increases and reliability decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of detergent doses dispensedVSAvoidcomplexity of dispensing mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The device uses multiple simple, identical compartments instead of a complex indexing mechanism. Each compartment is independently activated, allowing multiple doses to be dispensed through a simple repetition of the same activation action, thereby maintaining low complexity while achieving high productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS9238885B2Detergent dispensing device

Publication Date: 2016.01.19 RECKITT BENCKISER VANISH BV

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.