Liquid Detergent Pumping Chamber With Water Dilution and Rinsing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing liquid product dispensing devices in washing machines and dishwashers face issues with the distribution of high viscosity detergents, leading to clogging and degradation, and lack precise dosing and efficient rinsing mechanisms.

Innovation Solution

A liquid product dispensing device with a pumping chamber connected to a hydraulic pressure chamber and a communication orifice that allows water to dilute the product during dispensing, ensuring partial dilution and effective rinsing, and a non-return valve for efficient transfer into the washing tank.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If detergent is pumped using a separate hydraulic pressure chamber, then the detergent can be transferred to the water stream, but the detergent residues remain in the pumping chamber and transfer pipe causing clogging and degradation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetergent distribution reliabilityVSAvoiddetergent residue clogging
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the hydraulic pressure chamber and detergent pumping chamber into a single integrated pump structure. The piston moves within a single chamber that communicates with both the detergent reservoir and the water stream outlet, eliminating the need for separate chambers and transfer pipes. This integration ensures that the same water stream that drives the piston also flushes the chamber, preventing residue accumulation and clogging while maintaining reliable detergent distribution.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Ease of operation

If liquid product is dispensed without dilution, then precise dosing can be achieved, but the high viscosity makes distribution difficult and promotes clogging

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveliquid product distributionVSAvoidclogging risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses water as an intermediary substance that serves dual functions: it acts as the driving force for the piston through pressure differential, and simultaneously serves as a diluent for the detergent. The water stream passes through the pumping chamber, partially diluting the high viscosity detergent to facilitate its distribution while preventing clogging. This intermediary approach allows easy distribution without compromising dosing precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Device complexity

If water circulation circuit and detergent circulation circuit are separate, then the system structure is simple, but the detergent cannot be effectively diluted and distributed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecirculation circuit structureVSAvoiddetergent dilution and distribution
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the water circulation circuit multi-functional by having it serve both as the hydraulic drive mechanism and as the detergent distribution medium. The single water stream that moves the piston also carries the diluted detergent to the washing tank. This universal approach eliminates the need for a separate detergent circulation circuit while achieving effective dilution and distribution, reducing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 enables reliable and efficient distribution of liquid products, reducing residue and clogging risks, and allowing precise dosing and thorough rinsing, enhancing the operation of washing machines and dishwashers.

Implementation Method 1

a hydraulic pressure chamber connected to water inlet means and a pump having a piston mounted in translation between the hydraulic pressure chamber and the liquid product pumping chamber

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydraulic pressure: Hydraulic Press

Implementation Method 2

Thanks to a communication orifice between the hydraulic pressure chamber and the liquid product pumping chamber, the water distributed passes through the pumping chamber and partially dilutes the liquid product to drive it into the washing tank

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDilution:

Implementation Method 3

a non-return valve being mounted in the evacuation chamber facing a liquid product passage orifice between the liquid product pumping chamber and the discharge chamber

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOne-way flow control: Valve

Data Source

PatentEP1939348B1Device for dispensing a liquid product
Publication Date: 2012.11.14 FAGORBRANDT
  • EP1939348B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP1939348B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP1939348B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The device has a pumping chamber (21) for pumping a liquid product and provided in communication with a liquid product tank. A hydraulic pressure chamber (22) is connected to a water supply conduit (42). A pump body (20) includes a piston (23) mounted in translation between the pressure chamber and pumping chamber. The pump body has a communication orifice (26) communicating between the pressure chamber and pumping chamber.