Dual-Mode Detergent Dispensing for Correct Dosing in Cleaning Appliances
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users of cleaning appliances face inconvenience with manual dispensers that require frequent refilling and may not provide the correct dosage of treating chemistry, while bulk dispensing systems are often seen as unnecessary purchases.
Innovation Solution
A bulk dispensing system is integrated into non-bulk dispensing appliances, utilizing a bulk cartridge and metering device to automatically dispense the correct amount of treating chemistry during cleaning cycles, allowing for easy conversion between single-use and bulk modes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a manual single use dispenser is used, then the device complexity is low, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to frequent refilling and incorrect dosage
Solution Approach 1:
The dispensing system is designed to accommodate both single-use dispensing containers and bulk dispensing containers through a universal dispensing chamber. The system can automatically dispense treating chemistry from either container type, allowing users to choose between manual refilling and bulk storage without requiring separate systems or complex modifications.
2Productivity
If a bulk dispensing system is implemented, then the productivity improves by reducing refilling frequency, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bulk dispensing container is designed to be received within and nested inside the existing dispensing chamber of the cleaning appliance. This nested configuration allows the bulk container to utilize the space already allocated for single-use containers, eliminating the need for separate bulk storage compartments or complex external mounting structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The dispensing chamber serves dual functionality by accommodating both single-use containers and bulk containers. The same chamber, dispensing mechanism, and control system handle both container types, allowing the system to achieve bulk dispensing productivity without requiring separate dedicated bulk storage infrastructure.
3Ease of operation
If a bulk dispensing system is purchased as a separate machine, then the ease of operation improves, but the loss of time and resources increases due to additional purchases
Solution Approach 1:
The bulk dispensing functionality is merged with the existing cleaning appliance by integrating a bulk dispensing container into the appliance's dispensing chamber. This combination allows the appliance to perform automated bulk dispensing of treating chemistry without requiring a separate bulk dispensing machine, eliminating the need for users to purchase additional equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning appliance is designed with universal dispensing capabilities that work with both single-use containers and bulk containers. This multi-functionality allows the same appliance to provide automated dispensing benefits whether users choose single-use or bulk containers, eliminating the need to purchase separate machines for different dispensing modes.
Data Source
AI summary
In a household cleaning appliance configured to execute a cleaning cycle on an article, having a non-bulk dispersing system that stores a single dose of treating chemistry that the dispensing system dispenses to the treating chamber in total as part of the execution of the cleaning cycle, the method includes adding bulk dispensing functionality to the non-bulk dispensing system for operating the dispensing system as a bulk dispensing system.