Dual-Outlet Detergent Dosing for Timed Drum Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current laundry detergents can only be delivered at limited times during the washing process, and initial water contact with stains reduces detergent chemistry access to fabrics, limiting washing performance.
Innovation Solution
A device for automated delivery of detergent ingredients at multiple times through the washing process, using a reservoir, dosing manifold, one-way valves, pumps, and a controller to introduce detergent into the washing machine drum via both water inlet and direct delivery, allowing controlled variation of in-wash chemistry.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If detergent is delivered only at limited times during washing, then device complexity is reduced, but washing performance deteriorates due to delayed detergent chemistry access to fabrics
Solution Approach 1:
The dosing system is segmented into multiple independent dosing outlets (first dosing outlet for water inlet, second dosing outlet for direct drum delivery) that can operate at different times during the washing cycle. This segmentation allows detergent to be delivered at multiple strategic moments without requiring a single complex multi-functional dosing mechanism, resolving the contradiction between enhanced washing performance and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary action by delivering detergent to the water inlet before the main wash cycle begins, ensuring detergent is present in the water before it contacts the laundry. This preliminary dosing through the first outlet prevents the problem of water contacting stains without detergent, improving washing performance without requiring complex real-time detection systems.
2Reliability
If detergent is delivered only through water inlet, then device structure is simplified, but washing performance deteriorates due to delayed detergent chemistry access to fabrics
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary dosing outlet that delivers detergent directly to the drum interior, acting as a mediator between the detergent reservoir and the laundry. This bypasses the water inlet intermediary step, allowing detergent to contact fabrics more directly and quickly, thereby improving washing performance while adding only a moderate structural element (the second outlet pathway).
3Reliability
If detergent ingredients are not pre-dissolved, then storage stability is improved, but washing performance deteriorates due to reduced detergent chemistry access speed
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary dissolution of detergent ingredients in the dosing manifold before delivery, ensuring the detergent is in solution form ready for immediate release. This preliminary preparation maintains storage stability (detergent kept as concentrate or solid in reservoir) while achieving quick chemistry access during washing, as the dissolution occurs just before dosing through either outlet.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical dissolution mechanisms with a simpler diffusion-based dissolution process in the dosing manifold. Detergent concentrate or solid ingredients dissolve passively in the water or carrier fluid within the manifold before being delivered, eliminating the need for mechanical stirring or agitation devices while maintaining rapid detergent chemistry access.
4Reliability
If detergent is delivered in bulk, then dosing speed is improved, but washing performance deteriorates due to lack of controlled variation of in-wash chemistry
Solution Approach 1:
The dosing system segments the total detergent dose into multiple deliveries through different outlets at different times. The first outlet delivers detergent with the water inlet, while the second outlet can deliver additional detergent directly to the drum at later stages. This segmentation enables controlled variation of in-wash chemistry throughout the wash cycle, improving washing performance while maintaining overall dosing efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements periodic dosing action by delivering detergent at multiple distinct periods during the washing cycle rather than in a single bulk delivery. The controller can activate the first outlet during water filling, then activate the second outlet during the wash cycle or rinse phases, creating periodic chemistry variations that enhance washing performance while maintaining productivity.
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 enables precise and timely delivery of detergent ingredients, enhancing washing performance by ensuring detergent chemistry quickly reaches fabrics, improving cleaning effectiveness and reducing washing time.
Implementation Method 1
a one-way valve (D) located downstream of the reservoir (A) and upstream of the second inlet (C), wherein the valve (D) prevents the flow of water from the dosing manifold (B) into the reservoir (A)
Implementation Method 2
a pump (K) located downstream of the reservoir (A) and upstream of the second inlet (C), wherein the pump (K) doses the detergent ingredients into the dosing manifold (B)
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3
AI summary
Device for dosing a detergent ingredient into the drum of an automatic washing machine has a dosing manifold (B) which receives water from one inlet (E) and detergents from at least one reservoir (A) through at least one corresponding inlet (C). Said dosing manifold (B) has two outlets (F, G): the first outlet (F) is connected to the to the drum of the automatic washing machine via a main inlet valve (H) of the automatic washing machine, so that the dose through the first outlet into the drum is controlled by the automatic washing machine; the second outlet (G) is connected to the drum of the automatic washing machine via a device valve (J), so that the main inlet valve (H) of the automatic washing machine is by-passed and the dose through the second outlet (G) into the drum is controlled by the device.