Single-Pump Multi-Cartridge Detergent Supply for Washing Machines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing washing machine detergent supply systems require multiple pumps to handle various detergents, leading to increased manufacturing costs, space requirements, and aesthetic and durability issues due to complex fluid line connections, as well as potential blockages and mixing problems.
Innovation Solution
A washing machine with a single pump system that uses check valve assemblies and a flow path switching valve to manage the supply of multiple detergents from cartridges, minimizing the need for multiple pumps and preventing mixing through controlled pressure changes and selective communication of flow paths.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple pumps are used to supply various detergents from multiple reservoirs, then the detergent supply capability is improved, but the manufacturing cost and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
A single pump is designed to perform multiple functions by sequentially supplying different detergents (laundry detergent, fabric softener, bleach) to multiple reservoirs. The pump acts as a universal component that replaces multiple specialized pumps, achieving the same detergent supply capability while reducing the number of components required.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses dynamic control of the single pump's operation timing and flow direction to adaptively supply different detergents to different reservoirs at different times. The pump's operational parameters are dynamically adjusted based on the washing cycle requirements, enabling one pump to fulfill the role of multiple pumps.
2Ease of operation
If a dispensing drawer is used to connect the fluid line, then the detergent can be supplied to the drum, but the overall aesthetics are impaired and the durability is adversely affected
Solution Approach 1:
The dispensing drawer is removed from the system entirely. Instead of using a drawer mechanism to deliver detergent, the invention directly supplies detergent from the reservoirs to the drum through controlled fluid lines. This extraction of the problematic drawer component eliminates the aesthetic and durability issues while maintaining the essential detergent delivery function.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a controlled fluid line system with valves and pumps as intermediaries to directly connect the detergent reservoirs to the drum. This intermediary system replaces the mechanical drawer structure with a more reliable fluid delivery mechanism that maintains durability while achieving the same detergent supply objective.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple motors and gear pumps are provided to extract detergents from three or more cartridges, then the detergent extraction capability is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
A single gear pump with multiple inlets is designed to extract detergents from three or more cartridges simultaneously or sequentially. The pump serves as a universal extraction device that replaces multiple individual motors and pumps, maintaining the capability to handle multiple detergent types while significantly reducing the number of motor-pump assemblies required.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple detergent extraction functions are merged into a single gear pump unit with multiple inlet ports. Instead of having separate motors and pumps for each cartridge, the invention combines all extraction functions into one integrated pump system, reducing component count and overall system complexity while maintaining the ability to extract from multiple cartridges.
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 solution allows for efficient and precise supply of various detergents with minimal variation in dosage, preventing mixing and reducing complexity, thereby lowering costs and improving aesthetics and durability.
Implementation Method 1
a pump which extracts the additive by changing a pressure
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of check valve assemblies which control extracting of the additive
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a washing machine. The washing machine has a detergent supply device including: a plurality of cartridges containing the additive respectively; a plurality of check valve assemblies connected to the plurality of cartridges to control extracting of the additive, and having a space in which the extracted additive is temporarily stored; a pump which extracts the additive; an inlet channel having a plurality of flow paths respectively connected to the plurality of check valve assemblies, and transmitting a pressure change generated from the pump to the space of the plurality of check valve assemblies; and a flow path switching valve connected to the pump and the inlet channel, and selectively communicating the pump with any one of a plurality of flow paths of the inlet channel, so that the additives stored in a plurality of cartridges can be supplied by using a single pump.