Shear-Thinning Liquid Detergent for Stable Washer Auto-Dosing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Automatic cleaning machines with auto-dosing capabilities experience significant detergent dosing fluctuations, leading to inconsistent cleaning performance, and existing solutions to improve precision are costly and complex to implement.
Innovation Solution
A liquid detergent with a total surfactant level of at least 25 wt % and high-shear viscosity ranging from 10 mPa·s to 500 mPa·s, which exhibits shear-thinning properties, reducing dosing fluctuations without the need for additional precision-improving devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If additional precision-improving devices are installed to reduce dosing deviations, then dosing precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the rheological parameters of the detergent composition, specifically controlling viscosity at different shear rates. By formulating the detergent to have appropriate viscosity characteristics, the system achieves consistent dosing without adding mechanical precision devices. The detergent's flow properties are optimized to work reliably with existing simple dosing mechanisms.
2Manufacturing precision
If additional precision-improving devices are installed to reduce dosing deviations, then dosing precision is improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the chemical composition parameters of the detergent to achieve the desired dosing precision. By adjusting surfactant concentrations and selecting specific ingredients with appropriate rheological properties, the system obtains consistent dosing performance. This chemical parameter optimization replaces the need for expensive mechanical precision devices.
3Ease of operation
If manual filling is used to fill detergent dispensing trays, then ease of operation is improved, but dosing accuracy deteriorates due to overfilling or underfilling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the detergent composition to self-regulate its dispensing behavior through its inherent rheological properties. The viscosity characteristics cause the detergent to flow and dispense in a self-limiting manner, automatically achieving the correct dose without requiring precise user intervention or complex control systems. The detergent essentially doses itself consistently.
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
The detergent composition ensures more consistent dosing and improved cleaning performance by maintaining high viscosity at low shear rates and reducing viscosity at high shear rates, thereby minimizing auto-dosing fluctuations and enhancing dosing accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
a high-shear viscosity ranging from about 10 mPa·s to about 500 mPa·s when measured at 20° C. at a relatively high shear rate of about 20 s−1
Data Source
AI summary
A method for reducing auto-dosing fluctuation of a washing machine equipped with an automatic dosing device, by using a liquid detergent with a relatively low high-shear viscosity. A cleaning system including a washing machine equipped with an auto-dosing device, in combination with a liquid detergent characterized by a relative low high-shear viscosity.