Method and apparatus for using gravity to precisely dose detergent in a washing machine
First Claim
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1. A method of dosing detergent into a cleaning chamber of a washing machine using gravity, comprising:
- providing an amount of detergent to be used in a washing machine;
providing a detergent storage tank;
providing a diverter valve comprising a detergent inlet, a detergent outlet, and an air vent;
presenting a user interface at a location accessible to a user for a user to input load characteristics;
relaying information via electrical signals from the user interface to a controller in electrical communication with the user interface;
determining a dosage requirement;
dispensing a fluid into the cleaning chamber by;
opening the detergent inlet of the diverter valve;
determining how much fluid has been dispensed;
comparing how much fluid has been dispensed to the dosage requirement; and
closing the detergent inlet of the diverter valve when the amount of fluid dispensed is substantially equal to the dosage requirement; and
venting the remaining fluid by opening of the air vent.
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Abstract
A method of dosing detergent into a cleaning chamber of a washing machine using gravity. The method comprises providing an amount of detergent to be used in a washing machine, providing a detergent storage tank, providing a diverter valve comprising a detergent inlet, a detergent outlet, and an air vent, presenting a user interface at a location accessible to a user for a user to input load characteristics, relaying information via electrical signals from the user interface to a controller in electrical communication with the user interface, determining a dosage requirement and dispensing a fluid into the cleaning chamber.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. A method of dosing detergent into a cleaning chamber of a washing machine using gravity, comprising:
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providing an amount of detergent to be used in a washing machine; providing a detergent storage tank; providing a diverter valve comprising a detergent inlet, a detergent outlet, and an air vent; presenting a user interface at a location accessible to a user for a user to input load characteristics; relaying information via electrical signals from the user interface to a controller in electrical communication with the user interface; determining a dosage requirement; dispensing a fluid into the cleaning chamber by; opening the detergent inlet of the diverter valve; determining how much fluid has been dispensed; comparing how much fluid has been dispensed to the dosage requirement; and closing the detergent inlet of the diverter valve when the amount of fluid dispensed is substantially equal to the dosage requirement; and venting the remaining fluid by opening of the air vent. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification