Laundry Detergent Replenishment Method to Sustain Enzyme Effectiveness
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Solution Overview
Problem
Laundry treatment apparatuses face challenges such as reduced detergent effectiveness due to active enzymes being expended before the completion of a washing cycle, and the need for additional detergent to account for higher soil content, leading to incomplete washing or reduced cleaning performance.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that include a detergent dispenser and a controller to initiate a washing cycle, determine a two-phase detergent condition, supply a first and second dose of detergent, and perform corresponding agitation phases to maintain effective cleaning throughout the cycle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single dose of detergent is supplied at the beginning of the washing cycle, then the device complexity is reduced and the operation is simplified, but the detergent effectiveness deteriorates due to enzyme expenditure before cycle completion
Solution Approach 1:
The detergent dispensing process is segmented into multiple phases: an initial detergent dose is supplied at the beginning of the wash cycle, and a second detergent dose is supplied during a mid-cycle refresh phase. This segmentation ensures that active enzymes are replenished before they are fully expended, maintaining cleaning effectiveness throughout the entire washing cycle without requiring a completely complex redesign of the dispensing system.
2Reliability
If the washing cycle duration is extended to ensure complete enzyme action, then the cleaning effectiveness is improved, but the loss of time increases
Solution Approach 1:
A second dose of detergent is supplied during a mid-cycle refresh phase before the active enzymes are completely expended. This preliminary replenishment action ensures that sufficient active enzymes remain available for the remainder of the washing cycle, maintaining cleaning effectiveness without requiring an extended overall cycle duration.
3Reliability
If additional detergent is supplied mid-cycle to address high soil content, then the cleaning effectiveness is improved, but the device complexity and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically determines when a mid-cycle detergent refresh is needed based on detected washing conditions such as high soil content or extended cycle duration. The controller autonomously initiates the second detergent dose without requiring manual user intervention, maintaining ease of operation while improving cleaning effectiveness for challenging washing scenarios.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for operating a laundry apparatus, the laundry apparatus including a tub and a detergent dispenser, the method including initiating a washing cycle of a washing load; supplying a first dose of detergent to the tub via the detergent dispenser; performing a first agitation phase of the washing cycle; determining that a two-phase detergent condition exists; supplying a second dose of detergent to the tub via the detergent dispenser; and performing a second agitation phase of the washing cycle.