Washing Machine UDP Breaking Chamber for Controlled Detergent Dissolution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Laundry washing machines using unit dose packages (UDPs) face issues such as incomplete dissolution, trapping of undissolved UDPs, and unpredictable release of detergent, leading to inefficient cleaning and potential stains due to the lack of controlled detergent distribution during the wash cycle.
Innovation Solution
A laundry washing machine with an additive loading and supply system that includes a receptacle for UDPs, where water jets or mechanical means break the UDPs outside the system, ensuring consistent detergent release and distribution, and a recirculation pump for thorough mixing and activation of detergents before application.
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 detergent release timing is uncontrolled, but this leads to incomplete dissolution and trapping of undissolved UDPs causing inefficient cleaning and potential stains
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the UDP breaking function from the drum interior to a dedicated breaking chamber located in the water supply line. Water jets are directed into the chamber to break the UDP pouches before the water-detergent mixture enters the drum, ensuring complete dissolution and preventing trapping of undissolved UDPs while maintaining easy loading operation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a breaking chamber as an intermediary component between the water supply system and the drum. This chamber serves as a mediator where UDPs are broken by water jets before the detergent solution is distributed to the laundry, ensuring controlled and complete detergent release without direct insertion into the drum
2Reliability
If the washing cycle starts with a draining phase for safety and hygiene, then the drum is emptied initially, but this causes active ingredients of UDPs to be flushed away if UDPs dissolve before the cycle begins
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs the UDP breaking action preliminarily through water jets in the breaking chamber before the washing cycle officially begins. By breaking the UDPs and mixing the detergent with water in the supply line, the system ensures detergent is already dissolved and retained in the tub when the drum starts rotating, preventing loss during initial draining phases
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the passive dissolution mechanism (relying on UDPs dissolving naturally in the drum) with an active hydraulic breaking system. Water jets under pressure are used to mechanically break the UDP pouches in the supply line, ensuring controlled release timing that prevents premature dissolution and ingredient loss
3Manufacturing precision
If UDPs are broken inside the additive loading and supply system, then detergent distribution is controlled, but this increases device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the breaking chamber a multi-functional component that serves both as part of the water supply system and as the UDP breaking mechanism. The same water supply lines and valves used for filling the tub are also used to direct water jets into the breaking chamber, eliminating the need for separate breaking system components and reducing overall device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the UDP breaking function with the existing water supply system by locating the breaking chamber within the water distribution path. The breaking chamber is integrated into the supply line structure, combining detergent release control with water delivery functionality in a single unified system
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 efficient and complete detergent dissolution, preventing stains and improving cleaning effectiveness by optimizing detergent contact time with laundry, while simplifying the wash cycle and reducing the risk of UDPs being washed away during initial draining phases.
Implementation Method 1
at least a first portion of the tub supply pipe is configured to pass an unbroken unit dose package therethrough. The means for breaking the unit dose package may include one or more nozzles located adjacent to the retainer and configured to deposit water towards the retainer.
Implementation Method 2
a recirculation pump fluidly connected to the washing tub and configured to pump water from the washing tub and then back into the washing tub.
Implementation Method 3
The UDP typically comprises a pre-measured amount of treating agent, such as detergent, incorporated into a water-soluble pouch.
Data Source
AI summary
A laundry washing machine having: a casing, a washing tub located within the casing, a drum mounted within the washing tub and configured to rotate relative to the casing, a door attached to the casing and being openable to provide access to the drum, an additive loading and supply system configured to receive loose detergent, one or more valves configured to selectively provide water to the additive loading and supply system, a tub supply pipe fluidly connecting the additive loading and supply system to the drum, a receptacle configured to receive a unit dose package comprising a water soluble pouch containing a dose of cleaning product, and means for breaking the unit dose package outside the additive loading and supply system.