Adjustable Dosing Unit for Toilet Cistern Cleaning Agent

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cistern systems for sanitary facilities lack the ability to adjust the dosage of cleaning agents in the flushing liquid, leading to either over- or under-dosing, which results in higher operational costs, environmental impact, and reduced cleaning efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A dosing unit is introduced that allows for an adjustable amount of cleaning agent to be dispensed into the cistern, with a container arranged outside the flushing liquid receiving space, where the flushing liquid flows through an inlet to dissolve the agent and then out through an outlet, enabling precise dosage adjustment based on flush duration, volume, or flow rate.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If cleaning agent is provided within the sanitary fixture itself, then the cleaning agent is surrounded by flushing fluid with each flush, but the cleaning agent becomes contaminated with debris leading to higher operating costs and environmental impact

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning effectivenessVSAvoidcleaning agent waste
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The cleaning agent is extracted from the sanitary fixture and relocated to the cistern, where it is contained in a separate container that is only wetted by flushing fluid during flush operations. This separation prevents contamination of the cleaning agent by debris while maintaining its cleaning effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Reliability

If cleaning agent is provided within the cistern, then the cleaning agent is added to flushing fluid held in the reservoir preventing contamination, but the dosage of cleaning agent is not adjustable leading to over- or under-dosing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning agent hygieneVSAvoiddosage adjustability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system introduces dynamic adjustability by allowing the user to control the amount of flushing fluid that passes through the container holding the cleaning agent. The inlet can be adjusted to allow different quantities of flushing fluid to flow through, thereby adjusting the dosage of cleaning agent dispensed into the cistern while maintaining hygiene.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If the container is placed inside the flushing fluid reservoir, then the cleaning agent is always wetted, but the container cannot be completely dry between flushes leading to reduced cleaning agent efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning agent dissolutionVSAvoidcleaning agent efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The container is segmented from the main flushing fluid reservoir, positioned above the maximum fluid level achievable during normal use. This segmentation allows the container to be wetted only during flush operations when flushing fluid flows through it, while remaining completely dry between flushes, thereby maintaining cleaning agent efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 a needs-based dosage of cleaning agents, preventing over- or under-dosing, optimizing the use of cleaning agents and maintaining hygiene while reducing waste and environmental impact.

Implementation Method 1

The flushing fluid then surrounds the cleaning agent, causing it to dissolve at least partially

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDissolution: Solvation

Data Source

PatentEP4242388A1Dosing unit for a flushing tank and flushing tank for a sanitary device
Publication Date: 2023.09.13 GROHE AG
  • EP4242388A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4242388A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4242388A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a dosing unit for a toilet cistern (2) having a flushing liquid inlet (1) for dispensing an adjustable quantity of cleaning agent (3) into the cistern (2) by means of a container (4), wherein the container (4) has an opening (5) for introducing the cleaning agent (3), an inlet (6) connected to the flushing liquid inlet (1) for allowing an adjustable quantity of flushing liquid to flow in, and an outlet (7) for allowing the adjustable quantity of flushing liquid to flow out into the cistern (2), wherein the container (4) is arranged outside the flushing liquid collected in the cistern (2). The invention further relates to a toilet cistern.