Pressure-Driven Metered Mixing Pump for Laundry Chemistry Dosing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional dispensing pumps for appliances are often cost-prohibitive and require sophisticated control systems, relying on electrically driven pumps that are not efficient for dispensing treating chemistry, and they lack flexibility in locating the chemistry reservoir due to gravity-dependent systems.
Innovation Solution
The development of pressure-driven metered mixing dispensing pumps that utilize water pressure to accurately dispense and mix treating chemistry with water, eliminating the need for electric metering pumps and allowing more flexibility in reservoir placement by using a piston-driven mechanism with one-way valves to control fluid flow and mixing within the pump.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional electrically driven dispensing pumps are used, then dispensing function is achieved, but cost increases and system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces electrically driven pumps with a pressure-driven mechanical system. Water pressure from the appliance's existing water supply moves a piston back and forth, which in turn moves fluid through one-way valves to achieve precise metered dispensing. This eliminates motors, electrical controls, and associated complexity while maintaining reliable dispensing function.
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes the appliance's existing water pressure to power the dispensing mechanism. The water pressure automatically drives the piston without requiring external electrical power or control systems. The one-way valves self-regulate fluid flow based on pressure differentials, eliminating the need for electronic metering and control circuitry.
2Device complexity
If gravity-dependent dispensing systems are used, then simple structure is achieved, but reservoir placement flexibility is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses hydraulic pressure from the water supply to drive the dispensing mechanism. Water pressure moves the piston and controls fluid flow through the chambers and valves, enabling the system to overcome gravity and dispense chemicals from reservoirs positioned at various locations without requiring the reservoir to be elevated or gravity-dependent.
3Measurement precision
If electric metering pumps are used, then precise dispensing is achieved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The dispensing chamber is divided into multiple sub-chambers (first, second, and third chambers) with one-way valves between them. The piston divides the system into pressure zones that sequentially meter fluid through each chamber. This segmentation provides precise volumetric control through mechanical displacement rather than electronic metering, achieving accurate dispensing at lower cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The piston acts as an intermediary mechanical element that converts water pressure into controlled fluid displacement. The one-way valves serve as intermediaries that regulate flow direction and metering. This mechanical intermediary system replaces expensive electric metering pumps while maintaining precise dispensing control through pressure-driven volumetric displacement.
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
These pumps achieve cost savings by eliminating the need for electric metering systems, provide precise mixing and dilution within the pump, and offer flexibility in reservoir placement, enabling efficient and accurate dispensing of treating chemistry at variable concentrations.
Implementation Method 1
when the piston moves in a first direction in response to water entering the first chamber via the fluid inlet, the second chamber decreases in volume thereby ejecting at least some of the treating chemistry from the second chamber into the third chamber
Implementation Method 2
a spring configured to move the piston in a second direction to decrease the volume of the first chamber thereby ejecting at least some of the water from the first chamber into the third chamber
Implementation Method 3
a one-way valve carried by at least the piston and controlling the flow of a second fluid, different from the first fluid, from the second chamber to the third chamber
Data Source
AI summary
A pressure-driven metered treating chemistry dispensing pump for a laundry treating appliance having a housing having first, second and third chambers, with the first and second chambers each in fluid communication with the third chamber; a fluid inlet fluidly coupling a first fluid to the first chamber; an outlet fluidly coupled to the third chamber; a piston disposed in the housing; wherein, when the piston moves in a first direction in response to the first fluid entering the first chamber via the fluid inlet, the second chamber decreases in volume thereby ejecting at least some of the second fluid from the second chamber into the third chamber, and when the piston moves in a second direction, different from the first direction, the first chamber decreases in volume thereby ejecting at least some of the first fluid from the first chamber into the third chamber to mix the at least some of the first fluid and the at least some of the second fluid to form a mixture in the third chamber, which can be emitted through the outlet.