Washing Machine Detergent Supply with Pump-Synchronized Valve Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Washing machines lack an efficient mechanism for automatically adding liquid detergents, which can lead to malfunction of the exhaust valve due to foreign materials and leakage, and fail to supply detergents or rinses only when the detergent supply pump is operating.
Innovation Solution
A washing machine design that includes a detergent box with a detergent supply pump, a connection pipe, and an open/close unit that only allows detergent or rinse supply when the pump is operating, along with an exhaust valve that prevents leakage by blocking the detergent discharger when the detergent box is pulled out.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the detergent box is made detachable for easy maintenance and refilling, then ease of operation is improved, but leakage risk increases when the box is pulled out
Solution Approach 1:
The exhaust valve is activated in advance when the detergent box is detached, closing the fluid passage before leakage can occur. This preliminary action prevents the harmful effect of leakage while maintaining the benefit of easy removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The exhaust valve acts as an intermediary mechanism between the detergent box and the fluid passage. It mediates the connection and disconnection process by automatically closing the passage when the box is removed, preventing direct leakage.
2Productivity
If the connection pipe remains open for continuous detergent supply, then productivity is improved, but malfunction risk increases due to foreign materials
Solution Approach 1:
The exhaust valve operates periodically based on pump status rather than remaining continuously open. It opens when the pump operates and closes when the pump stops, providing periodic control that maintains supply continuity while preventing foreign material accumulation.
3Reliability
If the open/close unit is added to control detergent flow, then reliability is improved by preventing malfunction, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The open/close unit is actuated automatically by the pump's operation through pressure changes or mechanical linkage, without requiring separate control mechanisms. The system serves itself by using the pump's own operation to control the valve, reducing overall complexity while improving reliability.
4Ease of operation
If detergent is supplied continuously through the connection pipe, then ease of operation is improved, but loss of substance increases due to uncontrolled supply
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses feedback from the pump's operation status to control the exhaust valve. The valve receives information about pump activity and adjusts the fluid passage accordingly, ensuring detergent is supplied only when needed and preventing waste.
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 ensures automatic and controlled detergent supply, prevents malfunction and leakage, and improves usability by ensuring detergents or rinses are only added when the detergent supply pump is operating, enhancing the washing process.
Implementation Method 1
a detergent supply pump for pumping the detergent or rinse contained in the detergent box
Implementation Method 2
an open/close unit for opening or closing the connection pipe... The open/close unit may include a first blocking unit with an opening formed thereon, and a second blocking unit connected to the first blocking unit and fixed on an internal side of the connection pipe
Data Source
AI summary
In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a washing machine may be provided to be able to automatically add a liquid detergent into a tub. The washing machine in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention includes a detergent box for containing a detergent or rinse; a detergent supply pump for pumping the detergent or rinse contained in the detergent box; a connection pipe connected to the detergent supply pump and a tub; and an open/close unit for opening or closing the connection pipe, wherein the open/close unit is configured to open the connection pipe only when the detergent or rinse is pumped by the detergent supply pump.