Multi-Dose Dishwasher Detergent Holder for Timed Bleach-Enzyme Release

Solution Overview

Problem

Automatic dishwashing technologies lack a convenient and effective method to deliver multiple detergent compositions sequentially during a single operation, impacting cleaning performance and user convenience.

Innovation Solution

A multi-dosing detergent delivery device with a housing and detergent holder capable of delivering two different compositions, such as halogen bleach and enzyme compositions, sequentially with a minimum 4-minute gap, using a thermally reactive element like a wax motor for actuation, allowing for standalone operation and simple construction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple detergent compositions are delivered sequentially in a single dishwashing operation, then cleaning performance is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning performanceVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The detergent holder is divided into multiple separate compartments, each containing a different detergent composition (e.g., halogen bleach in one compartment, enzyme composition in another). This segmentation allows the device to deliver multiple compositions sequentially without requiring complex mixing mechanisms, thereby improving cleaning performance while keeping the device structure relatively simple.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different detergent compositions are pre-loaded into separate compartments of the detergent holder before use. The device is designed to deliver these pre-positioned compositions at predetermined times during the dishwashing cycle, eliminating the need for complex real-time preparation or mixing mechanisms and reducing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of manufacture

If a multi-dosing detergent delivery device is designed with simple construction, then ease of manufacture is improved, but the ability to deliver multiple compositions sequentially is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of manufactureVSAvoidability to deliver multiple compositions

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The detergent holder is divided into multiple separate compartments, each containing a different detergent composition (e.g., halogen bleach in one compartment, enzyme composition in another). This segmentation allows the device to deliver multiple compositions sequentially without requiring complex mixing mechanisms, thereby improving cleaning performance while keeping the device structure relatively simple.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The detergent holder is designed as a multi-functional component that can accommodate different types of detergent compositions in separate compartments. The same holder structure can be used to deliver various combinations of detergents (bleach, enzymes, surfactants) in a single device, enhancing versatility without requiring multiple specialized components for each detergent type.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If sequential delivery of detergent compositions is implemented with a time gap, then enzyme protection is improved, but the dishwashing cycle time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenzyme protectionVSAvoiddishwashing cycle time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Different detergent compositions are pre-loaded into separate compartments of the detergent holder before use. The device is designed to deliver these pre-positioned compositions at predetermined times during the dishwashing cycle, eliminating the need for complex real-time preparation or mixing mechanisms and reducing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The device delivers different detergent compositions at periodic intervals during the dishwashing cycle, with a time gap between deliveries. This periodic delivery pattern allows enzymes to be protected from bleach by delivering them at different times, while the overall cycle time increase is minimized by optimizing the timing and duration of each delivery phase.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

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

Enhances cleaning performance and user convenience by ensuring sequential delivery of different detergent compositions at optimal times during the dishwashing cycle, improving soil suspension and protection of enzymes without the need for external energy sources.

Implementation Method 1

a thermally reactive element like a wax motor for actuation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal expansion: Thermal Expansion

Data Source

PatentEP2380481B1Automatic dishwashing product

Publication Date: 2014.12.31 PROCTER & GAMBLE CO

Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3

AI summary

An automatic dishwashing product comprising a multi-dosing detergent delivery device comprising a housing (101, 110) for receiving therein a detergent holder (102) and a detergent holder (102) accommodating a plurality of detergent doses (104, 106) wherein the doses comprises at least two different types of detergent compositions, a first compositions comprising a halogen bleach and a second composition comprising enzymes and a bleach scavenger.