Laundry Pod Dispenser Water Sequencing to Prevent Residue Buildup
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Solution Overview
Problem
The use of unit dose detergent pods in laundry washing machines often results in the water-soluble pouches sticking to the side walls of the dispenser compartments, leading to residue accumulation, bacterial proliferation, and hygiene issues, as well as wasteful cleaning processes.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a controlled water flow to wet the detergent pod, pause to allow it to gel, and then use a laminar-flow water jet to break the pod, followed by flushing to release and clean the detergent, preventing residue accumulation and improving hygiene.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If water is conveyed into the compartment to dissolve the water-soluble pouch, then the treating agent is released, but the pouch sticks to the side walls and forms gelatinous residues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by dividing the water conveyance into distinct phases: a first phase conveying water to wet the pouch, a pause period, and a second phase conveying water to break the pouch. This periodic approach prevents the pouch from sticking to side walls during dissolution while ensuring complete treating agent release.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by first wetting the water-soluble pouch with a controlled amount of water before breaking it. This preliminary wetting phase prepares the pouch for controlled dissolution without causing it to stick to the compartment walls, preventing residue accumulation before the breaking action occurs.
2Productivity
If the water-soluble pouch is broken using water jet, then the treating agent is released faster, but residues accumulate and promote bacterial proliferation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses periodic action with a pause between wetting and breaking phases, allowing controlled dissolution without premature sticking. This timing control ensures fast release while preventing the gelatinous mass from adhering to walls where bacteria could proliferate.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces strong mechanical water jet impact with a more controlled breaking mechanism that occurs after preliminary wetting. This substitution reduces violent disruption that could create splashing and residue accumulation, while still achieving fast treating agent release.
3Ease of operation
If flushing water is conveyed to flush out the treating agent, then the compartment is cleaned, but water and energy are wasted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by wetting the pouch before breaking it, which prepares the treating agent for efficient release. This reduces the amount of flushing water needed afterward, minimizing water and energy waste while still achieving complete compartment cleaning.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameters of water conveyance by using controlled amounts of water in specific phases rather than continuous flushing. The first amount wets the pouch, the second amount breaks it, and a minimal third amount completes the flush, optimizing water usage and reducing energy consumption.
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 effectively prevents residue accumulation, reduces bacterial growth, and minimizes cleaning waste by ensuring efficient detergent release and compartment cleaning during the washing cycle.
Implementation Method 1
conveying a first amount of water to said first compartment during a first period of time from at least one of said one or more water conveying lines, said first amount of water being suitable to wet said unit dose package
Implementation Method 2
This is due to the gelatinous state reached by the water-soluble pouch
Implementation Method 3
The step of breaking the water-soluble pouch is carried out through water conveyed into the compartment which dissolves the water-soluble pouch
Implementation Method 4
by means of a water jet which hits the pod and breaks the water-soluble pouch
Implementation Method 5
conveying an amount of flushing water into said compartment to flush out the released pre-measured amount of treating agent from the compartment and convey it into the washing tub
Data Source
AI summary
A laundry washing machine equipped with a treating agents dispenser comprising a drawer having a compartment suitable to receive a unit dose package comprising a pre-measured amount of treating agent incorporated into a water-soluble pouch. The laundry washing machine has a control unit configured to convey a first amount of water to the compartment to wet the unit dose package, pause, then convey a second amount of water to the compartment for breaking the water-soluble pouch of the unit dose package.