Flushable Detergent Dispenser Cup for Low-Suds Chemistry Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing laundry treating appliances face issues with incorrect dispensing of treating chemistries due to improper filling of dispensing cups, leading to residual chemicals affecting subsequent dosages and efficacy, often resulting in poor mixing and incomplete removal of chemistries.
Innovation Solution
A liquid stream is introduced into the dispensing cup from above the siphon tube, impinging on the cup and siphon tube below the cover, ensuring effective removal and mixing of treating chemistries, utilizing a water distributor with specific outlet configurations to manage flow and reduce sudsing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If water is flushed through the cup to dispense treating chemistry, then the treating chemistry is dispensed into the treating chamber, but the water may not fully remove the treating chemistry from the cup or there may be poor mixing
Solution Approach 1:
The dispenser is divided into multiple dispensing cups, each dedicated to a specific type of treating chemistry (powder or liquid). This segmentation prevents mixing of different chemistry types and ensures each cup is optimized for its specific chemistry, improving complete removal while maintaining simple individual cup structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The liquid stream is introduced from a position above the cup and beyond the periphery of the cover, traveling downwardly along a trajectory that terminates below and within the periphery of the cover, directly impinging on the cup and siphon tube. This three-dimensional liquid path ensures complete removal of treating chemistry from all surfaces including the siphon tube, achieving reliable clearance without requiring complex mechanical cleaning mechanisms.
2Reliability
If users fill the cup with the wrong type of treating chemistry, then problems occur within the dispenser, but preventing incorrect filling increases device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The dispenser uses multiple dispensing cups with each cup designated for a specific type of treating chemistry (powder or liquid). This physical segmentation and designation system guides users to fill the correct cup with the correct chemistry type, preventing incorrect filling without requiring complex sensors or control systems.
3Reliability
If residual treating chemistry remains in the cup, then the efficacy of the next treating chemistry is negatively impacted, but improving removal increases water usage
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid stream is introduced from above the cup cover and travels downwardly along a trajectory that terminates below and within the periphery of the cover, directly impinging on the cup and siphon tube. This optimized three-dimensional liquid path ensures complete removal of residual treating chemistry from all surfaces including the siphon tube, achieving reliable clearance with minimal water consumption.
4Productivity
If water flushing is used to remove treating chemistry, then dispensing occurs, but poor mixing of treating chemistry and water occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid stream is introduced from a position above the cup and beyond the periphery of the cover, traveling downwardly along a trajectory that terminates below and within the periphery of the cover, directly impinging on the cup and siphon tube. This creates turbulent mixing as the liquid stream contacts the treating chemistry and siphon tube surfaces from multiple angles, ensuring thorough mixing without requiring mechanical mixers or complex agitation mechanisms.
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 method ensures complete removal of treating chemistries from the cups, preventing residual impacts and optimizing dosages, while minimizing suds production and enhancing mixing efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
the liquid stream directly impinges a portion of at least one of the cup and siphon tube below the cover
Implementation Method 2
a siphon tube in the cup
Data Source
AI summary
Appliances having a detergent dispenser that may be flushed with a water flow for removal of residual treating chemistry while reducing sudsing are disclosed. An example dispenser includes a cup with a bottom wall, a siphon tube projecting upwardly from the bottom wall, a cover for the siphon tube, an opening configured to introduce a liquid stream into the cup from a position above and beyond a periphery of the cover, wherein substantially all of the liquid stream flows downwardly along a trajectory defined by the opening and terminating below and within the periphery of the cover, and wherein the liquid stream directly impinges a portion of at least one of the cup or the siphon tube below the cover.