Cleaning Agent Dosing Using Pre-Acquired Machine Program Data
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cleaning machines face challenges in achieving optimal cleaning results due to inaccurate dosing of cleaning agents, leading to excessive energy, water, and agent consumption, particularly in older machines where universal retrofittable systems struggle to determine the optimal dosing time based solely on data from the cleaning process.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for automatic dosing of cleaning agents that incorporates control information about the cleaning machine, including device-specific identifiers and program sequences, combined with real-time sensor data and user input, to precisely determine the optimal dosing time, utilizing a mobile dosing device with wireless communication and self-learning algorithms for improved precision.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a universally applicable mobile automatic dosing device is used in older cleaning machines, then retrofittability and universal applicability are improved, but dosing precision deteriorates because the device can only imprecisely determine the optimal dosing time based solely on data collected during the cleaning process
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by receiving control information about the cleaning machine's program structure before the cleaning process starts. This allows the dosing device to know the expected sequence of operations and water usage patterns in advance, enabling it to precisely determine when to dose cleaning agents based on pre-acquired knowledge rather than relying solely on real-time sensor data during the cleaning process.
2Device complexity
If dosing is based solely on data collected during the cleaning process, then device complexity is reduced, but dosing accuracy deteriorates leading to unsatisfactory cleaning results and increased consumption of energy, water, and cleaning agents
Solution Approach 1:
The system receives control information about the cleaning machine's program structure before the cleaning process begins. This preliminary data acquisition enables the dosing device to plan dosing times accurately without adding complex real-time analysis systems, thereby maintaining simple device architecture while achieving high dosing accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines control information received before the cleaning process with sensor data collected during the process. The control unit continuously compares expected water usage patterns (from control information) with actual sensor readings, enabling precise determination of dosing moments through feedback mechanisms without requiring overly complex system architecture.
3Reliability
If accurate dosing is achieved by considering multiple factors such as cleaning program, water hardness, and soiling type, then cleaning quality is improved, but device complexity and information requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The control information about the cleaning machine's program structure serves as an intermediary that bridges the gap between the dosing device and the complex factors affecting cleaning quality. Instead of directly measuring and processing all factors like water hardness and soiling type, the system uses the program structure as a mediator to infer optimal dosing timing, thereby improving cleaning quality without proportionally increasing device complexity.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4
AI summary
The invention relates a method for metering cleaning agents, and in particular to a method for metering cleaning agents in cleaning machines, comprising the following steps: receiving control information which are dependent on an item of information relating to a cleaning machine; determining the progress of a cleaning process; and metering a cleaning agent depending on the received control information and the determined progress of the cleaning process; the information relating to the cleaning machine can be inputted manually via a user interface.