Laundry Soaking Chamber for Controlled Unit Dose 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 UDPs, and unpredictable release of detergent, leading to inefficient cleaning and potential stains due to the lack of controlled dissolution and hydraulic pressure limitations in existing systems.
Innovation Solution
A laundry washing machine with a soaking chamber and controlled water supply system that allows a predetermined amount of liquid to reside with the UDP, followed by a controlled release to ensure complete dissolution and uniform distribution of detergent, using a siphon mechanism to efficiently transfer the dissolved solution to the washing tub.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If UDP is inserted directly into the drum with laundry load, then the cleaning process is simplified, but the UDP may become trapped within the laundry or bellows seal leading to incomplete dissolution and potential stains
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by providing water to the additive dispenser compartment before the washing cycle begins, allowing the UDP to start dissolving in advance. This preliminary wetting ensures the UDP pouch becomes saturated and breaks down properly before the main wash cycle starts, preventing trapping and incomplete dissolution issues.
Solution Approach 2:
The additive dispenser compartment acts as an intermediary chamber between the UDP insertion point and the drum. Water is supplied to this intermediate compartment to facilitate controlled dissolution of the UDP before the contents are released into the drum, ensuring complete breakdown without trapping.
2Productivity
If UDP is loaded into the drum before washing cycle begins, then the detergent is ready for action, but the UDP may dissolve too early and have active ingredients flushed away during initial draining phase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary wetting of the UDP in the additive dispenser compartment before the washing cycle officially begins. This controlled preliminary action ensures the UDP dissolves at the optimal moment, releasing active ingredients into the wash water rather than losing them during the initial draining phase.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system monitors the washing cycle phase and regulates water supply to the additive dispenser compartment accordingly. Water is provided only during appropriate phases (not during initial draining), ensuring detergent dissolves at the right time and preventing loss of active ingredients.
3Reliability
If water pressure is increased to ensure complete UDP dissolution, then dissolution completeness improves, but hydraulic pressure limitations in existing systems are exceeded
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of relying on high water pressure during the wash cycle, the system performs preliminary wetting of the UDP in the additive dispenser compartment. This extended preliminary contact time with water at normal pressure allows complete dissolution without requiring excessive hydraulic pressure.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically controls water supply timing and duration to the additive dispenser compartment, adjusting the water delivery profile to ensure complete UDP dissolution through prolonged exposure rather than high-pressure冲击, adapting to the dissolution process needs.
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 approach ensures complete and uniform detergent dissolution, optimizing the cleaning process by maintaining detergent contact with laundry for the desired duration, reducing stains and improving cleaning efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
using a siphon mechanism to efficiently transfer the dissolved solution to the washing tub
Data Source
AI summary
A laundry washing machine having a casing, a washing tub within the casing, a drum within the washing tub, a door to provide access to the drum, an additive loading and supply system configured to receive one or more cleaning products, a soaking chamber configured to receive and hold a unit dose package and at least a first volume of liquid, a tub supply pipe connecting the soaking chamber to the washing tub and/or drum, valves to dispense water into the soaking chamber, and a control unit operatively connected to the valves. The control unit has instructions that, when executed: cause the valves to supply the first volume of liquid to the soaking chamber, allow the first volume of liquid to reside in the soaking chamber for a predetermined amount of time, and subsequently release the first quantity of liquid from the soaking chamber to the tub supply pipe.