Fabric Enhancer Dispensing Pump for Uniform Laundry Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional laundry appliances fail to achieve uniform distribution of fabric-enhancing chemistries, leading to ineffective cleaning, potential damage to garments, and limited use of advanced fabric enhancers due to uneven application and compatibility issues with fabric types.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a pressure-driven, metered mixing and dispensing pump system, combined with optimized nozzle configurations and wash cycle operations, ensures uniform distribution of fabric enhancers by breaking down amalgamations and vesicles, and allowing for selective dispensation of different types of chemistries.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional dispensing methods (siphons, gravity flow) are used to apply treating chemistries, then the system is simple and easy to manufacture, but the distribution uniformity of fabric enhancers is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional mechanical dispensing systems (siphons, gravity flow) with a pressure-driven pump system that uses water pressure to meter and dispense fabric enhancers. This substitution enables precise control over dispensing rates and improves distribution uniformity while breaking down amalgamations and vesicles in the chemistry.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs hydraulic principles by using water pressure from the washing machine's water supply to drive the dispensing of fabric enhancers through a pump system. The water pressure acts as the driving force to move the chemistry from the dispenser through the fabric load, enabling uniform distribution without complex mechanical actuators.
2Quantity of substance
If treating chemistries are applied in concentrated form, then less water and energy are required for dispensing, but the distribution uniformity deteriorates due to large amalgamations and vesicles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies fabric enhancers during the wash cycle rather than pre-diluting them before use. The pump system meters and dispenses the concentrated chemistry in controlled amounts directly onto the fabric load during washing, achieving both water conservation and uniform distribution through precise timing and dosing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses periodic dispensing of fabric enhancer during the wash cycle, with the pump delivering chemistry in controlled pulses or intervals. This periodic action allows the concentrated chemistry to be broken down and distributed uniformly across the fabric load over time, rather than applying it all at once in large amalgamations.
3Manufacturing precision
If conventional wash cycles are used without optimized dispensing timing, then the wash cycle is simple to operate, but the uniformity of chemistry distribution is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the fabric enhancer dispensing system into the existing washing machine infrastructure, using the machine's water supply, pump, and control systems to automatically dispense the chemistry during the wash cycle. The system operates autonomously without requiring user intervention, maintaining ease of operation while achieving uniform distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the timing and sequence parameters of the wash cycle to optimize fabric enhancer distribution. The controller adjusts when the pump dispenses chemistry during different phases of the wash cycle, changing operational parameters to achieve uniform distribution without requiring users to manually program complex sequences.
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 the performance of fabric enhancers by achieving high uniformity of distribution, improving cleaning efficacy, preventing damage, and enabling the use of a broader range of chemical treatments, even under water and energy constraints.
Implementation Method 1
The pump accepts and mixes fabric enhancers and water and provides sufficient shear force and mixing to break apart amalgamations or vesicles within the fabric enhancers
Implementation Method 2
The pump accepts and mixes fabric enhancers and water and provides sufficient shear force and mixing to break apart amalgamations or vesicles within the fabric enhancers
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, components, and methodologies for uniformly distributing fabric enhancers onto laundry loads in laundry treating appliances. The methods may include accepting one or more of a laundry detergent, a fabric softener, and a bleach for dispensation into the laundry treating appliance, accepting a plurality of fabric enhancers in respective compartments of a fabric enhancer storage assembly, receiving indications of the types of fabric enhancers stored in the respective compartments, selecting dispensation patterns suitable for each of the types of fabric enhancers, and dispensing the plurality of fabric enhancers in accordance with the selected dispensation patterns.