Automatic Washer Dosing Receptacle Venting and False Signal Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing washers face issues with false conductivity signals due to dried cleaning agent layers and air entrapment, which disrupt the measurement of liquid cleaning agent level and type, preventing accurate dosing and causing waste.
Innovation Solution
A washer design featuring a downward-extending barrier between pins to reduce false conductivity signals and a discharge hole opening into the housing to release trapped air, ensuring continuous liquid flow and preventing overflow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conductivity measurement is used to determine liquid cleaning agent level and type, then measurement capability is provided, but false conductivity signals are generated by dried cleaning agent layers on receptacle walls
Solution Approach 1:
The receptacle is segmented into multiple compartments by partitions, with each compartment containing its own cleaning agent type. The measurement pins in each compartment are isolated from dried residues in other compartments, preventing false conductivity signals while maintaining measurement capability for level and type determination.
2Measurement precision
If pins are placed close together for measurement, then measurement sensitivity is improved, but dried cleaning agent layers cause false full detections
Solution Approach 1:
Partitions divide the receptacle into separate measurement zones, allowing pins to be positioned close together within each zone for sensitive detection, while the partitions themselves block conductivity paths through dried cleaning agent layers, preventing false full detections.
3Quantity of substance
If the receptacle is sealed to store liquid cleaning agent, then storage efficiency is improved, but air entrapment prevents cleaning agent from being filled
Solution Approach 1:
The dispensing system is designed to preliminary establish proper liquid levels before sealing occurs. The system pre-fills the receptacle through the dispensing mechanism, ensuring air is displaced and proper quantity is stored, then the receptacle is sealed to maintain storage efficiency without filling problems.
4Reliability
If the dispensing system is closed to prevent contamination, then hygiene is improved, but air entrapment blocks liquid flow from dispenser to receptacle
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary air removal and liquid filling through the closed dispensing system before sealing. The dispensing mechanism is designed to evacuate air and fill the receptacle completely while maintaining the closed, hygienic environment, then sealing occurs without blocking the dosing process.
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 design enables precise and reliable determination of liquid cleaning agent level and type, preventing false full detections and ensuring continuous dosing without waste, enhancing user convenience and operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
One of the methods used to this end is to measure the conductivity of the liquids. The type can be determined by benefiting from the difference between the conductivity coefficients of liquids of different types
Implementation Method 2
air entrapped in the receptacle while transferring the liquid cleaning agents from the detergent dispenser to the closed receptacles, prevents the cleaning agents from being filled in
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a washer (1) comprising a body (2); a tub (3) disposed within the body (2) wherein the washing - drying processes are performed; a housing (4) that extends from the outer surface of the body (2) into the body (2); a dispenser (5) that is disposed inside the housing (4) and that has more than one division (6) wherein the cleaning agents are stored; a dosing unit (9) adjacent to the housing (4), with flow connection between the housing (4) and itself, having at least one dosage receptacle (7) wherein cleaning agents filled into the dispenser (5) are stored for dosing and at least one dosage pump (8) that is disposed on the dosage receptacle (7) and that sucks the cleaning agents in the dosage receptacle (7) and enables them to be transferred into the housing (4) in order to be delivered to the tub (3); and at least two pins (10) that are situated in the dosage receptacle (7) and used for determining the type and the level of the liquid cleaning agents.