Laundry Chemistry Dispensing with Dual Water Flow Paths
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Solution Overview
Problem
Laundry treating appliances often lack efficient systems for dispensing treating chemistry, as manual or single-use dispensers are limited to a single cycle, while bulk dispensers may not provide optimal distribution within the treating chamber.
Innovation Solution
A laundry treating appliance with both single-use and bulk dispensers, utilizing separate water flow paths to direct treating chemistry from the single-use dispenser as a stream and from the bulk dispenser as a spray into the treating chamber, ensuring comprehensive distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a single-use dispenser is used to dispense treating chemistry, then the dispenser is simple to operate and replace, but it can only dispense treating chemistry for one cycle and requires separate water supply routing
Solution Approach 1:
The water supply system is segmented into separate flow paths: a first water flow path dedicated to the single-use dispenser and a second water flow path dedicated to the bulk dispenser. This segmentation allows each dispenser type to be independently routed and controlled, simplifying the operation and replacement of single-use dispensers while maintaining overall system functionality.
2Productivity
If a bulk dispenser is used to dispense treating chemistry, then multiple cycles can be served, but the distribution within the treating chamber may not be optimal
Solution Approach 1:
Different dispensing methods are applied to different dispenser types: the single-use dispenser delivers treating chemistry as a direct stream, while the bulk dispenser sprays treating chemistry through the second water flow path. This local differentiation in dispensing quality ensures optimal distribution for each dispenser type, with the bulk dispenser providing widespread coverage across multiple cycles.
3Adaptability or versatility
If both single-use and bulk dispensers are integrated into one appliance, then versatility is improved, but the water supply system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The water supply system is divided into distinct first and second water flow paths, with the first path serving the single-use dispenser and the second path serving the bulk dispenser. This segmentation allows the appliance to maintain versatility by supporting both dispenser types while managing system complexity through organized, separate routing for each dispenser type.
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 configuration allows for precise and efficient dispensing of treating chemistry, optimizing the treatment of laundry loads by ensuring uniform distribution and utilization of both single-use and bulk chemistry supplies.
Implementation Method 1
The first water flow path is configured to direct a dose of treating chemistry dispensed from the single use dispenser into the treating chamber
Implementation Method 2
the second water flow path is configured to spray a dose of treating chemistry dispensed from the bulk dispenser into the treating chamber
Data Source
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AI summary
A laundry treating appliance (10) and method for dispensing treating chemistry, where the laundry treating appliance includes a treating chamber, a single use dispenser (32) and a bulk dispenser. Water may be supplied to the single use dispenser (30) through a first water flow path (84), which directs a dose of treating chemistry dispensed from the single use dispenser into the treating chamber. Water may be supplied to the bulk dispenser through a second water flow path (86), which is configured to spray a dose of treating chemistry dispensed from the bulk dispenser into the treating chamber(20). The laundry treating appliance may determine the presence of treating chemistry within at least one of the single use dispenser (30) and the bulk dispenser (32), and, based on this determination, supply water to the flow path associated with the dispenser which contains treating chemistry.