Washer-Dryer Fragrance Supply Path for Timed Clothes Diffusion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fragrance diffusing systems in washing/drying machines suffer from unnecessary fragrance consumption and inefficient fragrance distribution, as they often diffuse fragrance into the air rather than directly onto clothes, leading to uneven and wasteful fragrance application.
Innovation Solution
A fragrance supply apparatus that utilizes a solenoid to control the air inlet, allowing precise timing and amount of fragrance release, connected to the washing/drying machine's tub or vapor system, ensuring fragrance is supplied during specific cycles like rinsing or drying, and diffused through a connection pipe or circulation duct for direct contact with clothes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If fragrance is diffused into the air using a holder with air holes, then fragrance can be dispersed in the washing machine space, but fragrance consumption increases unnecessarily and fragrance does not properly permeate into clothes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the fragrance supply function from general air diffusion and creates a dedicated supply path. The fragrance solution is supplied through a specific supply path that directs it to the tub or clothes, separating the fragrance supply function from the air circulation system, thereby reducing unnecessary fragrance consumption while maintaining effective fragrance application.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a controlled intermediary mechanism (supply path with valve) between the fragrance source and the environment. This intermediary allows precise control over when and how fragrance is released, preventing uncontrolled diffusion into air and ensuring fragrance is supplied only during appropriate washing cycles, thus reducing waste.
2Quantity of substance
If fragrance is supplied continuously or without timing control, then fragrance is always available in the washing machine, but the effused amount deviates based on contained amount and timing is not optimized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by controlling the fragrance supply valve to open only during specific washing cycles (rinse cycle, dehydration cycle) rather than continuously. This timing control ensures fragrance is supplied at optimal moments when clothes are most receptive, maintaining fragrance availability when needed while enabling precise control over the effused amount based on cycle duration and valve opening time.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit monitors washing machine operation status and provides feedback control for fragrance supply timing. By detecting the current washing cycle phase, the control unit precisely determines when to open the supply valve and for how long, ensuring accurate effused amount control that adapts to the actual washing conditions and contained fragrance solution amount.
3Ease of operation
If fragrance is diffused in the space between top cover and cabinet, then fragrance is dispersed in the machine, but the aromatic and clothes are partitioned by tub and rotating tub preventing fragrance permeation into clothes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by directing fragrance supply specifically to locations where clothes are present (tub interior) rather than general space diffusion. The supply path is configured to deliver fragrance locally to the clothes surface and tub interior, creating high concentration zones where fragrance permeation is most effective, thereby improving productivity without compromising dispersion.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes pneumatic principles by supplying fragrance solution through a controlled fluid path that leverages pressure differential and flow dynamics. The fragrance is delivered through the supply path to the tub area where air circulation during washing cycles facilitates further distribution, combining directed hydraulic supply with pneumatic dispersion to achieve both targeted delivery and adequate spread.
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 prevents unnecessary fragrance consumption, ensures accurate fragrance distribution, and enhances the efficiency of fragrance supply by delivering it directly to clothes, reducing air diffusion and improving the overall fragrance experience.
Implementation Method 1
The opening and closing unit may include a solenoid for opening the air inlet when power is applied.
Implementation Method 2
a fragrance solution outlet through which the fragrance solution is effused by a pressure difference
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed are a fragrance supply apparatus and a washing/drying machine having the same, wherein the washing/drying machine comprises a fragrance supply apparatus installed in a washing/drying machine body for collecting clothes to be treated such that a fragrance solution contained therein is uniformly effused by a pressure difference to be supplied into the clothes within the washing/drying machine body, whereby the fragrance solution can be supplied at a desired time so as to prevent an unnecessary consumption thereof, and also prevent an occurrence of a deviation of an effused amount due to an amount of the fragrance solution contained in the fragrance supply apparatus.