Method and apparatus for cleaning laundry
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Solution Overview
Problem
Laundry washing machines using unit dose packages (UDPs) face issues such as incomplete dissolution, trapping of UDPs, and unpredictable release of detergent, leading to inefficient cleaning and potential stains due to incomplete or uneven distribution of detergent during the wash cycle.
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, then releases it to ensure complete dissolution and uniform distribution of detergent, using a siphon mechanism to transfer the dissolved detergent to the washing tub.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If UDPs are inserted directly into the laundry washing machine drum with the laundry load, then the device complexity is reduced and ease of operation is improved, but the reliability of complete dissolution is worsened leading to incomplete cleaning and potential stains
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary soaking chamber between the UDP loading point and the washing tub. This chamber acts as a mediator that ensures complete dissolution of the UDP before the detergent solution enters the main washing tub, thereby resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and reliability of dissolution.
Solution Approach 2:
The soaking chamber provides a preliminary dissolution phase before the main wash cycle begins. By pre-dissolving the UDP in a controlled environment with sufficient water and time, the system ensures complete detergent release before laundry contact, improving reliability without complicating the user interface.
2Reliability
If the washing cycle begins with a draining phase for safety and hygiene, then the reliability and safety are improved, but the loss of detergent substance occurs when UDP dissolves before the cycle effectively begins
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary dissolution of the UDP in the soaking chamber during the delay period before the wash cycle begins. By having the UDP dissolve in advance in a controlled chamber rather than in the drum, the detergent solution is ready and contained, preventing loss during the initial draining phase while maintaining safety protocols.
Solution Approach 2:
The soaking chamber serves as an intermediary reservoir that holds the dissolved detergent solution before it is transferred to the washing tub. This mediator prevents the detergent from being flushed away during the initial drain phase, as the solution remains contained in the chamber until the wash cycle is ready to begin.
3Reliability
If a delay is introduced between UDP insertion and washing cycle start, then the reliability of controlled dissolution is improved, but the UDP may break down or pouch may dissolve before the cycle begins causing stains
Solution Approach 1:
The soaking chamber acts as a controlled intermediary environment that manages the dissolution process during the delay period. It provides sufficient water and controlled conditions to ensure complete dissolution of the UDP pouch before the wash cycle begins, preventing premature release of concentrated detergent that could cause stains on the laundry.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameters of the dissolution environment in the soaking chamber by providing sufficient water volume and maintaining appropriate temperature conditions during the delay period. These parameter adjustments ensure complete and controlled dissolution of the UDP, transforming the potential harmful effect of delay into a beneficial pre-dissolution phase.
4Speed
If water jets are used to break open the UDP in the drawer compartment, then the speed of dissolution is improved, but the device complexity increases due to fluid line requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the dissolution function from the main washing tub and places it in a separate soaking chamber. This allows the system to use simpler water supply methods (such as gravity feed or basic pumping) rather than requiring complex water jet systems with air breaks and pressure control, while still achieving complete dissolution.
Solution Approach 2:
The soaking chamber serves as an intermediary that decouples the dissolution process from the main water supply system. This mediator allows the use of simpler water delivery mechanisms to achieve complete UDP dissolution, reducing the overall complexity of the fluid line system while maintaining effective dissolution speed.
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 predictable and complete dissolution of UDPs, improving cleaning efficiency and preventing stains by maintaining optimal detergent contact with laundry throughout the wash cycle.
Implementation Method 1
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, then releases it to ensure complete dissolution and uniform distribution of detergent, using a siphon mechanism to transfer the dissolved detergent to the washing tub.
Implementation Method 2
The UDP typically comprises a pre-measured amount of treating agent, such as detergent, incorporated into a water-soluble pouch. The detergent may be, for example powder, liquid, paste, waxy or gel compositions, and the pouch typically comprises a water-soluble film.
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.