Automatic Solid Detergent Dosing Unit Using Peristaltic Transport
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing household appliances, such as dishwashers, require manual detergent dosing, which can lead to incorrect amounts or forgotten detergent, resulting in suboptimal cleaning results.
Innovation Solution
A dosing unit with a reversibly deformable storage cartridge and a dosing device that uses peristaltic transport to automatically dispense the correct amount of solid detergent during washing cycles, eliminating the need for manual refilling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual detergent dosing is used, then device complexity is reduced, but dosing precision and reliability deteriorate due to user error
Solution Approach 1:
The dosing system is segmented into modular components: a storage cartridge containing multiple detergent portions, a dosing chamber for dispensing, and an actuation mechanism. This segmentation allows automated precise dosing while keeping each component relatively simple and manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
The system is designed to automatically dose detergent without requiring user intervention during operation. The storage cartridge automatically feeds detergent portions to the dosing chamber, and the system self-regulates the dosing process, eliminating manual dosing errors while maintaining simplicity through automation.
2Reliability
If automated dosing system is implemented, then dosing reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Detergent is pre-portioned into individual units within the storage cartridge before use. This preliminary action ensures that each dosing event relies on pre-prepared, consistent portions, improving reliability while simplifying the dosing mechanism's requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The storage cartridge is designed as a disposable or replaceable component that can be filled once with multiple detergent portions and then discarded or refilled. This approach improves reliability by ensuring fresh, consistent detergent portions while keeping the overall system complexity manageable through standardized replaceable units.
3Measurement precision
If peristaltic transport is used, then dosing precision is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional actuation mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The container bottom is designed with dynamic actuation sections that can change shape or position in response to actuation signals. This dynamic capability enables precise control of detergent flow through peristaltic motion, achieving accurate dosing while the modular actuation design keeps complexity manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
The peristaltic transport mechanism uses periodic actuation of the container bottom sections to move detergent in controlled waves toward the dosing chamber. This periodic action provides precise, rhythmic control over detergent transport, improving dosing precision while the repetitive nature of the action simplifies the control mechanism.
4Ease of operation
If storage cartridge is designed with sloped bottom, then detergent flow is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The container bottom features localized sloped sections in specific areas to guide detergent flow, rather than requiring the entire bottom to have precise slope geometry. This local application of sloping reduces manufacturing precision requirements while still achieving effective detergent flow toward the outlet.
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
Ensures consistent and correct detergent dosing for multiple cycles without user intervention, improving cleaning efficiency and convenience by integrating with the appliance's control system.
Implementation Method 1
detergent of the bulk is transported towards the outlet by deforming the container according to a predefined pattern in time for a peristaltic transport of detergent
Implementation Method 2
The container is arranged such that a bottom side of the container, when the dosing unit is oriented as intended for use, has a slope towards the outlet with respect to a horizontal direction that is in the range of -45° to 15°
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A dosing unit (100) for automatically dosing a dosing amount (122) of a solid detergent provided by a storage cartridge (110) for storing a bulk (112) of the solid detergent, for use in an automatic dosing system (20) of a water-bearing household appliance (1), wherein the storage cartridge (110) comprises a reversibly deformable container (114) with an outlet (116), wherein by deforming the container (114) according to a predefined pattern in time detergent of the bulk (112) is transported towards the outlet (116), and a dosing device (120) is attached to the storage cartridge (110) on the outlet (116) for separating the dosing amount (122) from the bulk (112) and releasing the separated dosing amount (122).