Integrated Laundry Dispenser Overflow for Single-Dose and Bulk Filling

Solution Overview

Problem

Laundry treating appliances require additional space and manufacturing costs due to separate structures and reservoirs for single dose and bulk dispensers, and users face inconvenience in loading treating chemistries through different access openings.

Innovation Solution

An integrated dispenser system that fluidly couples a single dose reservoir to a bulk dispensing reservoir via an overflow mechanism, allowing the bulk reservoir to be filled by overfilling the single dose reservoir, eliminating the need for multiple pour zones and simplifying the user interface.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If separate structures and reservoirs are used for single dose and bulk dispensers, then each dispenser can function independently, but the appliance requires additional space and manufacturing costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedispenser functionalityVSAvoidappliance space

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines separate single-dose and bulk-dose dispenser structures into a single integrated dispenser unit. The reservoir serves dual purposes: it can be filled to a first level for single-dose dispensing and to a second level for bulk-dose dispensing. This merging eliminates the need for separate reservoirs and reduces the overall space required in the appliance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated dispenser is designed with multi-functionality to handle both single-dose and bulk-dose dispensing operations through a single structure. The dispensing mechanism can selectively dispense based on the fill level of the reservoir, allowing one component to perform multiple functions that previously required separate components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If separate structures and reservoirs are used for single dose and bulk dispensers, then each dispenser can function independently, but manufacturing costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedispenser functionalityVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines separate single-dose and bulk-dose dispenser structures into a single integrated dispenser unit. The reservoir serves dual purposes: it can be filled to a first level for single-dose dispensing and to a second level for bulk-dose dispensing. This merging eliminates the need for separate reservoirs and reduces the overall space required in the appliance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated dispenser is designed with multi-functionality to handle both single-dose and bulk-dose dispensing operations through a single structure. The dispensing mechanism can selectively dispense based on the fill level of the reservoir, allowing one component to perform multiple functions that previously required separate components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If users load treating chemistries through different access openings for single dose and bulk dispensers, then each dispenser type can be accessed, but user convenience decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedispenser access optionsVSAvoiduser convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines separate single-dose and bulk-dose dispenser structures into a single integrated dispenser unit. The reservoir serves dual purposes: it can be filled to a first level for single-dose dispensing and to a second level for bulk-dose dispensing. This merging eliminates the need for separate reservoirs and reduces the overall space required in the appliance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 optimizes space usage, reduces manufacturing complexity, and enhances user convenience by allowing efficient dispensing of treating chemistries directly into the treating chamber during automatic cycles, while simplifying the user experience by eliminating the need to switch between different dispensing zones.

Implementation Method 1

An overflow fluidly couples the single dose reservoir to the bulk dispensing reservoir. The bulk dispensing reservoir can be filled by overfilling the single dose reservoir.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOverflow mechanism:

Data Source

PatentUS10253444B2Integrated single dose and bulk dispenser for a laundry treating appliance

Publication Date: 2019.04.09 WHIRLPOOL CORP

AI summary

A laundry treating appliance for treating laundry according to an automatic cycle of operation includes a treating chamber and a dispenser fluidly coupled to the treating chamber. The dispenser has a single dose reservoir, a bulk dispensing reservoir, and an overflow fluidly coupling the single dose reservoir to the bulk dispensing reservoir.