Method for washing laundry in a laundry washing machine with an automatic dosing device and laundry washing machine

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing laundry washing machines with automatic detergent dosing devices struggle to accurately control detergent dosage relative to the amount of water used, leading to inefficient cleaning.

Innovation Solution

A method where water is loaded in partial stages, monitoring the water level to determine when laundry is saturated, and then detergent is introduced based on the total water amount, considering factors like detergent type and soil level, to ensure correct dosage and improved cleaning efficacy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If detergent is dosed at the beginning of the washing cycle based on load amount, then the dosing process is simple and quick, but the detergent dosage is not accurately controlled relative to the actual water amount used

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedosing speedVSAvoiddetergent dosage accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary water filling and laundry saturation before detergent dosing. Water is filled in partial loads and the laundry is allowed to saturate, so that by the time detergent is dosed, the actual water amount is already determined and known, enabling accurate dosage calculation based on real water consumption rather than estimated load weight.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The control unit continuously monitors water consumption during the washing cycle and uses this feedback information to calculate and adjust the correct detergent dosage. The system measures actual water used and feeds this information back to determine the precise amount of detergent needed, ensuring accurate detergent-to-water ratio.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Loss of time

If detergent is dosed before water saturation is complete, then the washing cycle starts faster, but the detergent concentration becomes incorrect affecting cleaning efficacy

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecycle start timeVSAvoidcleaning effect
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary water filling and laundry saturation before detergent dosing. Water is filled in partial loads and the laundry is allowed to saturate, so that by the time detergent is dosed, the actual water amount is already determined and known, enabling accurate dosage calculation based on real water consumption rather than estimated load weight.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts the detergent dosing timing based on actual water consumption and laundry saturation state. Rather than using a fixed dosing schedule, the system adapts the dosing moment to when water saturation is achieved, optimizing both timing and dosage accuracy according to real-time conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Speed

If water is filled in large single load, then the filling process is faster, but it is difficult to accurately determine when laundry is saturated for correct dosing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewater filling speedVSAvoidsaturation detection accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The water filling process is segmented into multiple partial loads rather than a single large fill. The control unit fills water in successive portions, allowing better monitoring and control of water consumption. This segmentation enables more precise detection of when the laundry becomes saturated, as each partial load can be individually measured and tracked.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses periodic water filling actions with intervals for monitoring saturation. Water is filled in periodic partial loads with monitoring periods in between, allowing the system to detect saturation points more accurately while maintaining reasonable filling speed through repeated cycles.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

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 approach allows for precise detergent dosing, enhancing the cleaning effect by ensuring the correct percentage of detergent is used in the washing solution, preventing stains and improving washing efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

b) rotating the washing drum; c) monitoring the variation of the water level sensed by said device for determining when the laundry is saturated, said variation being due to the water supplied into said washing tub in step a) and due to the water absorbed by the laundry in step b)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Data Source

PatentEP3237664B1Method for washing laundry in a laundry washing machine with an automatic dosing device and laundry washing machine
Publication Date: 2020.04.15 ELECTROLUX APPLIANCES
  • EP3237664B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3237664B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3237664B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention concerns a method for washing laundry in a laundry washing machine comprising an automatic dosing device (58) which supplies detergent in a plurality of washing cycles. The method comprises a water loading phase through a sequence of partial loads of water into the washing tub (3) and a step of introducing a quantity of detergent into the washing tub (3) from the automatic dosing (58) device only after it has been determined that the laundry is saturated, or substantially saturated.