Two-Component Liquid Detergent System for Powder-Level Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Liquid detergents fail to match the cleaning performance of powder detergents due to a lack of bleaching power and a weaker builder system, and integrating effective complexing agents into liquid detergents makes the formulation unstable, while dosing multiple components in washing machines is complex and requires significant structural effort.
Innovation Solution
A detergent with two separate components, where one component contains surfactants, builders, and enzymes, and the second 'booster' component includes bleaching agents and optical brighteners, allowing for improved compatibility and solubility, enabling a cleaning performance comparable to powder detergents with reduced ingredient amounts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If effective complexing agents and bleaching agents are integrated into liquid detergents, then cleaning performance improves, but formulation stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The detergent is divided into two separate components: Component 1 contains surfactants and enzymes, while Component 2 contains complexing agents and bleaching agents. This segmentation allows each component to remain stable during storage while delivering enhanced cleaning performance when combined during the washing process, resolving the contradiction between stability and effectiveness.
2Reliability
If multiple separate components are dosed in a washing machine, then cleaning performance improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple detergent functions into just two components, which is the minimum number needed to achieve powder-detergent-level cleaning performance. This merging approach minimizes the number of dosing chambers and dispensing mechanisms required in washing machines, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining high cleaning effectiveness.
3Ease of operation
If liquid detergent is used, then ease of operation improves, but cleaning performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the liquid detergent into two components, the patent enables liquid detergents to achieve cleaning performance comparable to powder detergents. The two-component liquid formulation maintains the ease of operation associated with liquid detergents while incorporating effective complexing agents and bleaching agents that were previously unavailable in liquid form.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite detergent system combining surfactants, enzymes, complexing agents, and bleaching agents in a liquid two-component formulation. This composite approach allows liquid detergents to achieve the cleaning performance previously only attainable with powder detergents, while maintaining the operational advantages of liquid form.
Data Source
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AI summary
Washing agent, preferably washing agent for washing clothes, comprises two separate components. The first component is made of a liquid washing agent, and the second component is a booster. An independent claim is also included for dosing the washing agent by means of an automatic dosing device to separate dosing of various components of the washing agent, comprising dosing the first component of the washing agent, and subsequently dosing the second component of the washing agent in the same washing cycle with time interval.