Washer Auto-Dosing Unit With Spill-Safe Precise Liquid Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing washers lack efficient and controlled automatic dosing systems for liquid cleaning agents, often resulting in manual adjustments and potential spills, especially when using liquid agents, and do not allow for precise dosing without decreasing suction power or requiring complex hydraulic systems.
Innovation Solution
A washer design featuring a dispenser with multiple divisions, a dosing unit with receptacles and peristaltic pumps, and a liquid transfer mechanism with unidirectional valves, allowing for controlled flow and storage of cleaning agents, preventing spills and enabling precise dosing without manual adjustment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If submersible pumps are placed into the tanks to deliver cleaning agent, then the cleaning agent can be transferred to the washing medium, but the suction power decreases and the dosing precision is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into separate functional components: a dosing unit with receptacle and pump, and a dispenser for user filling. This segmentation allows the pump to work with a controlled liquid level in the receptacle, maintaining suction power while achieving precise dosing through the dosing unit's control mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The receptacle acts as an intermediary between the dispenser and the dosing pump. It receives cleaning agent from the dispenser and provides a controlled source for the pump, enabling precise dosing without the pump directly accessing the main storage tank, thus maintaining suction power.
2Measurement precision
If complex hydraulic systems are used to deliver cleaning agent controllably, then precise dosing can be achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The complex hydraulic control system is extracted and replaced with a simpler electronic control system. The dosing pump is controlled by a control unit that receives signals from the washing machine's control system, eliminating the need for complex mechanical-hydraulic control mechanisms while maintaining dosing precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical-hydraulic control system is replaced with an electronic control system. The control unit electronically controls the dosing pump's operation, substituting complex mechanical linkages and hydraulic control with simpler electronic signaling and digital control algorithms.
3Ease of operation
If the dispenser is designed for easy removal and cleaning, then user convenience is improved, but liquid cleaning agent may spill during removal
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid transfer mechanism is activated in advance before the user removes the dispenser. The mechanism automatically transfers the cleaning agent from the dispenser to the receptacle when the dispenser is in the loading position, so that by the time the user removes the dispenser for cleaning, the liquid has already been transferred and spillage is prevented.
Solution Approach 2:
The liquid transfer mechanism operates automatically based on the dispenser's position, without requiring user intervention. The system self-regulates the transfer process, detecting when the dispenser is properly positioned and initiating the transfer, then stopping when complete, preventing spills during user handling.
4Productivity
If the receptacle is positioned at a lower level than the dispenser, then gravity facilitates liquid flow, but the mounting space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from relying solely on vertical gravity-driven flow to incorporating horizontal flow components. The liquid transfer mechanism includes horizontal transfer paths and pumping action that can move liquid efficiently without requiring large vertical height differences, reducing the space needed while maintaining flow efficiency.
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
Enables convenient, precise, and efficient dosing of cleaning agents, reducing user intervention and preventing spills, while maintaining suction power and allowing for extended storage of cleaning agents for multiple wash cycles.
Implementation Method 1
a peristaltic pump is used for dosing
Implementation Method 2
the liquid transfer mechanism comprises at least one valve that functions unidirectionally
Implementation Method 3
the receptacle is placed at a lower level with respect to the dispenser in order for the liquid cleaning agent filled into the dispenser to flow into the receptacle
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to washer (1) comprising a body (2), a tub (3) that is disposed within the body (2) and wherein the washing/drying processes are performed, a housing (4) that extends from the outer surface of the body (2) to the interior of the body (2), a dispenser (5) that is disposed inside the housing (4) and that has more than one division (6, 106) wherein the cleaning agents are stored, and a dosing unit (9) enabling the desired amount of liquid cleaning agents to be transferred to the tub (3).