Automatic Tablet Dosing Unit with Safety Mechanism for Dishwashers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing household appliances, such as dishwashers and washing machines, lack an efficient automatic dosing system for detergent tablets, leading to incorrect or forgotten detergent usage, which affects cleaning quality and poses safety risks due to easy access to detergents.
Innovation Solution
A dosing unit with a safety mechanism that requires a specific tool to switch from a closed to a release state, ensuring secure handling and automatic dosing of detergent tablets, integrated into an automatic dosing system for household appliances.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a manual dosing chamber is used where users fill detergent each time, then the device complexity is low, but the reliability of correct dosing deteriorates due to user error and forgotten filling
Solution Approach 1:
The dosing unit automatically doses detergent tablets without requiring user intervention during the washing cycle. The storage cartridge automatically feeds tablets to the dosing device, which releases the correct amount at the appropriate time, eliminating the need for manual refilling and ensuring consistent correct dosing.
Solution Approach 2:
Users pre-fill the storage cartridge with multiple detergent tablets before use. The system then automatically manages the dosing process throughout multiple washing cycles without further user intervention, performing the dosing action in advance of when it is needed during each cycle.
2Reliability
If the dosing device is easily accessible, then the ease of operation is high, but the safety deteriorates due to risk of skin or eye contact with irritating detergent
Solution Approach 1:
The dosing device acts as an intermediary between the stored detergent tablets and the washing water. It controls the release of detergent through a predefined switching mechanism that requires specific actions to activate, preventing direct access to the detergent while still enabling proper dosing functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The safety portion of the dosing device prevents unwanted switching or access to the detergent before proper activation. The predefined switching mechanism requires specific actions (such as using a tool or performing a sequence of operations) to release the detergent, thereby preventing accidental contact while allowing intentional dosing.
3Reliability
If automatic dosing is implemented with a predefined switching mechanism, then the reliability of correct dosing improves, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to restricted access requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The dosing device serves as a controlled intermediary that manages detergent release. The predefined switching mechanism acts as a mediator between the storage cartridge and the dosing function, ensuring that detergent is only released under controlled conditions while maintaining operational reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
Once the storage cartridge is filled, the system serves itself by automatically managing the dosing process. The predefined switching mechanism ensures reliable dosing without requiring repeated user intervention, as the system handles the controlled release automatically at the appropriate times.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a dosing unit (18, 118, 218) for an automatic dosing system of a water-bearing household appliance, in particular a dishwasher or washing machine, configured for dosing at least one of a plurality of detergent tablets stored in a storage cartridge (30, 130, 230), comprising a dosing device (20, 120, 220) configured for picking the at least one detergent tablet from the plurality and releasing the at least one detergent tablet by temporarily switching by a predefined switching mechanism from a closed state to a release state, wherein the dosing device (20, 120, 220) comprises a safety portion (24, 124, 224) for preventing an unwanted switching. Moreover also a water-bearing household appliance comprising the dosing unit and a method of dosing is disclosed.