Dishwasher Detergent Reservoir Layout for Stable Bleach Dosing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Household dishwashers face challenges in storing and dispensing detergent and bleaching agents, as they tend to clump or lose effectiveness due to moisture and temperature, requiring manual filling and lacking the ability to dispense variable amounts, and existing solutions either use impractical retail containers or generate unpleasant/toxic chlorine gas.
Innovation Solution
A method for a household dishwasher that uses separate reservoirs with different capacities for storing and dispensing liquid or pasty cleaning and bleaching agents, allowing for automatic dispensing in ratios corresponding to reservoir capacities, with insulated storage and program-controlled dispensing to prevent clumping and ensure effective use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If detergent and bleaching agent are stored in the same reservoir, then device complexity is reduced, but cleaning effectiveness deteriorates due to enzyme deactivation by oxidizing agents
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the dispensing system into separate reservoirs: one for cleaning agent (containing enzymes) and one for bleaching agent (oxidizing agent). This segmentation prevents harmful chemical interactions while maintaining cleaning effectiveness, as the two agents are stored separately but can be dispensed together during the wash cycle.
2Quantity of substance
If retail containers are used for storing cleaning agents, then storage capacity is increased, but device complexity increases due to additional space requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the storage reservoirs directly into the dispensing system housing, merging the storage function with the dispensing mechanism. This eliminates the need for separate retail containers and additional external storage space, while still providing sufficient capacity for multiple wash cycles.
3Reliability
If detergent is stored in powder or tab form, then cleaning effectiveness is maintained, but ease of operation deteriorates due to manual filling requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically dispenses predetermined quantities of cleaning agent and bleaching agent from the reservoirs during each wash cycle without requiring user intervention. The controller manages the dispensing timing and quantities, making the system self-serving and eliminating manual filling operations.
4Adaptability or versatility
If variable amounts of detergent are dispensed, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases due to control system requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a controller that dynamically adjusts the dispensing quantities of cleaning agent and bleaching agent based on detected parameters such as soil level, wash cycle type, and water temperature. This dynamic control enables adaptability to different washing conditions while managing system complexity through integrated control logic.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for dispensing a liquid or pasty cleaning agent and a liquid or pasty bleaching agent into a wash tub of a household dishwasher that includes a housing and a dispensing system disposed in the housing. The dispensing system separately stores and discharges the cleaning agent and bleaching agent. The method includes providing the dispensing system with respective reservoirs for each of the cleaning agent and the bleaching agent that have different capacities from each other. Each of the capacities are larger than needed for a single wash cycle. A first quantity of the cleaning agent and a second quantity of the bleaching agent are dispensed during a wash cycle, and the ratio of the dispensed quantities corresponds to the ratio of the capacities of the respective reservoirs.