Dishwasher Chemistry Dispenser With Wash Cycle Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Automatic dishwashers often require pre-rinsing and towel drying due to incompatible cleaning compositions released simultaneously, which limits their cleaning performance, and existing sensing systems struggle to accurately distinguish between wash cycles to release the right chemistry at the right time.
Innovation Solution
A personalized cleaning composition dispensing device equipped with a wash cycle sensing system using temperature and water flow sensors, combined with a microprocessor and data storage unit, learns the wash cycles to optimize the release of cleaning agents during different phases, allowing for sequential and precise release of compositions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If all cleaning compositions are released simultaneously in the tablet, then the device complexity is reduced and ease of operation is improved, but the cleaning performance deteriorates due to incompatible compositions counteracting each other
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning composition tablet is segmented into multiple compartments, each containing different cleaning compositions that are released at different times during the wash program. This segmentation allows incompatible compositions to be separated in time and space, preventing them from counteracting each other while maintaining the simplicity of a single tablet form factor for the user.
Solution Approach 2:
The dispensing device is pre-programmed with wash cycle detection algorithms that automatically identify the pre-wash, main wash, and rinse cycles. This preliminary programming enables the system to release cleaning compositions at the optimal times without requiring user intervention or complex manual configuration, maintaining ease of operation while achieving sequential release.
2Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If temperature and duration parameters are used to distinguish wash cycles, then the sensing capability is improved, but the measurement precision deteriorates due to overlapping parameter ranges between cycles
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges multiple sensing parameters (temperature, water flow, cycle duration) into a comprehensive wash cycle detection algorithm. By combining these parameters and analyzing their patterns over time, the system can accurately distinguish between pre-wash, main wash, and rinse cycles even when individual parameter ranges overlap, thereby improving measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The dispensing device continuously monitors wash cycle parameters and uses feedback from temperature and water flow sensors to dynamically adjust its cycle detection. This feedback mechanism allows the system to learn and adapt to the specific dishwasher's operation patterns, improving cycle distinction accuracy over time while maintaining the ability to handle diverse wash programs.
3Reliability
If sequential release of cleaning compositions is implemented, then the cleaning performance is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional sensors and control systems
Solution Approach 1:
The dispensing device uses a multi-functional integrated circuit board that combines wash cycle detection, timing control, and composition release mechanisms in a single unit. This universal design allows the system to perform multiple functions (sensing temperature, detecting water flow, controlling release timing) without proportionally increasing complexity, as shared components serve multiple purposes.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs a self-learning algorithm that automatically adapts to the specific dishwasher's wash program structure by monitoring temperature and water flow patterns. This self-service capability eliminates the need for manual configuration or complex pre-programming for each dishwasher model, reducing device complexity while enabling precise sequential release of cleaning compositions tailored to the specific appliance.
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 enhances cleaning performance by ensuring the right chemistry is released at the optimal time, eliminating the need for pre-rinsing and towel drying, and adapting to various wash programs across different dishwasher brands and models.
Implementation Method 1
temperature and water flow sensors
Implementation Method 2
temperature and water flow sensors
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A personalized cleaning composition dispensing device for use in an automatic dishwasher dispensing the right chemistry at the right time during a wash cycle to provide an improved cleaning performance compared to standard automatic dishwasher dispensers. The device includes wash cycle sensing system (50-52) that controls the release of chemistry via temperature and water flow data measured during the current wash cycle and uses either a preprogrammed product release algorithm for new wash cycles or a modified product release algorithm based on wash cycle data previously stored in the data storage unit (58) for repeated wash cycles.