Cleaning trolley with a metering device and method for metering

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Solution Overview

Problem

In professional cleaning applications, manual dosing of surface cleaners is inaccurate due to unknown water amounts and varying dosage requirements for different areas, overwhelming cleaning staff and making it difficult to achieve precise dosages.

Innovation Solution

A cleaning trolley equipped with a dosing device that uses a measuring cell to determine the conductivity of the mixture, a computing unit to compare it with a predetermined value, and a dosing pump to automatically stop the addition of surface cleaner when the desired concentration is reached, ensuring accurate dosing regardless of water amount or location.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If manual dosing is used with measuring cups or discrete portions, then the device complexity is low, but the dosing precision is insufficient and cleaning staff are overwhelmed by calculations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedosing precisionVSAvoiddosing device complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical dosing methods (measuring cups, discrete portions) with an automated electronic dosing system. The computer calculates the required dosage based on input parameters, and the dosing pump automatically dispenses the precise amount of cleaning agent, eliminating manual calculations and improving dosing precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The dosing system performs self-service by automatically calculating and dispensing the correct dosage without requiring cleaning staff to perform calculations or manual measurements. The computer-controlled system handles the entire dosing process autonomously based on programmed parameters.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Measurement precision

If concentrate is carried on conventional cleaning trolleys and water is added on site, then the weight to be carried is reduced, but the dosing accuracy becomes unknown due to variable water amounts

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedosing accuracyVSAvoidoperational simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the computer receives input about the water amount added on-site and adjusts the dosing calculation accordingly. The system continuously monitors and adjusts the dosage based on actual conditions, ensuring accurate dosing even when water amounts vary.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The dosing system is designed to be dynamic and adaptive to changing conditions. It can accommodate variable water amounts added on-site by recalculating the required dosage in real-time, allowing the system to maintain dosing accuracy despite operational flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Productivity

If different dosages are required for different areas, then the cleaning effectiveness is improved, but the complexity of calculating and determining correct dosage increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning effectivenessVSAvoiddosing calculation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-programming dosing parameters for different cleaning areas and surface types into the computer system. Before actual dosing, the system is configured with the required dosage levels for various zones, eliminating the need for complex calculations during operation and enabling effective differentiated dosing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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

The solution provides accurate and efficient dosing of surface cleaners, independent of water quantity, allowing for precise concentration adjustments based on location and surface type, reducing errors and improving cleaning effectiveness.

Implementation Method 1

a measuring cell (preferably in the mixing tank) for determining the conductance of the mixture (of water and surface cleaner)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConductivity measurement: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentEP3721779B1Cleaning trolley with a metering device and method for metering
Publication Date: 2021.09.01 VERMOP SALMON GMBH
  • EP3721779B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3721779B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

A cleaning trolley with a dosing device (18) for surface cleaner comprises a mixing container (20) that can be filled with any quantity of water up to a maximum quantity, at least one storage container (12; 14) for surface cleaner and a measuring cell (24) in the mixing container (20) for determining the conductivity of the mixture, wherein a computing unit (28) is provided which compares the conductivity determined by the measuring cell (24) with a predetermined conductivity and outputs a signal when the predetermined conductivity is reached.