Laundry Detergent Pod Breaking Chamber for Complete Dissolution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Laundry washing machines using unit dose packages (UDPs) face issues such as incomplete dissolution, trapping of undissolved pouches, and unpredictable release of detergent, leading to inefficient cleaning and potential stains, due to partial dissolution during loading or initial draining phases.
Innovation Solution
A laundry washing machine with an additive loading and supply system that includes a receptacle for UDPs, where water jets or mechanical means break the UDP outside the system, ensuring predictable dissolution and uniform distribution of detergent, and a recirculation pump for complete mixing before application.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If UDP is inserted directly into the drum with laundry load, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability of complete dissolution deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the UDP breaking function from the drum interior to a dedicated breaking chamber located in the additive supply system. Water jets are directed at the UDP in this separate chamber to ensure complete breakdown before the detergent enters the drum, preventing the reliability issues of partial dissolution while maintaining ease of operation.
2Ease of operation
If UDP dissolves before washing cycle begins, then ease of operation is improved, but loss of substance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by breaking the UDP with water jets in the additive supply chamber before the washing cycle begins. The broken detergent then mixes with water in the sump during the drum filling phase, ensuring complete dissolution and activation only when the detergent is ready to be applied to the laundry, preventing premature loss of active ingredients.
3Ease of operation
If UDP breaks down before washing cycle, then ease of operation is improved, but object-generated harmful factors worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The sump acts as an intermediary chamber where the broken UDP mixes with water before the detergent solution is pumped into the drum. This intermediate mixing step ensures complete dissolution and uniform distribution of the detergent, preventing concentrated detergent from directly contacting the laundry and causing stains while maintaining automatic preparation.
4Ease of operation
If UDP dissolution time is unpredictable, then ease of operation is maintained, but productivity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces passive dissolution with an active mechanical breaking system using water jets directed at the UDP in the additive supply chamber. This mechanical action consistently breaks down the UDP pouch within a predictable time frame, allowing the system to reliably complete the detergent preparation phase before the washing cycle begins, thereby improving productivity while maintaining automatic operation.
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 ensures efficient and complete dissolution of UDPs, preventing stains and optimizing cleaning by ensuring consistent detergent contact with laundry, improving cleaning effectiveness and convenience.
Implementation Method 1
breaking means comprising water jets or mechanical means for breaking the unit dose package outside the additive loading and supply system
Implementation Method 2
ensuring predictable dissolution and uniform distribution of detergent
Implementation Method 3
a recirculation pump for complete mixing before application
Data Source
AI summary
A laundry washing machine having: a casing, a washing tub located within the casing, a drum mounted within the washing tub and configured to rotate relative to the casing, a door attached to the casing and being openable to provide access to the drum, an additive loading and supply system configured to receive loose detergent, one or more valves configured to selectively provide water to the additive loading and supply system, a tub supply pipe fluidly connecting the additive loading and supply system to the drum, a receptacle configured to receive a unit dose package comprising a water soluble pouch containing a dose of cleaning product, and means for breaking the unit dose package outside the additive loading and supply system.