Detergent Supply Container With Sealed Metering Chamber
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing supply containers for program-controlled cleaning appliances, such as dishwashers, require manual detergent measurement and handling, which is inconvenient and prone to detergent clumping due to moisture ingress, leading to potential clogging and blockages.
Innovation Solution
A supply container design featuring a main body with a flange for easy filling and closure, a metering unit with a divided chamber to prevent detergent clumping, and a closure mechanism that keeps the detergent compartment sealed until first use, allowing for automated filling and efficient detergent dispensing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a supply container stores powdered detergent for multiple wash cycles, then the need for manual detergent measurement is eliminated, but detergent clumping due to moisture ingress occurs leading to clogging and blockages
Solution Approach 1:
The supply container is divided into two separate compartments: a storage compartment for holding powdered detergent and a dispensing compartment for metered dispensing. This segmentation prevents moisture ingress into the storage compartment while enabling reliable controlled dispensing, thus resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and dispensing reliability
Solution Approach 2:
A closure mechanism acts as an intermediary between the storage compartment and the external environment, sealing the storage compartment to prevent moisture ingress while allowing controlled access for dispensing. This intermediary protects the detergent from moisture while maintaining dispensing functionality
2Ease of operation
If a supply container is designed with a flange for easy filling and closure, then ease of handling is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The flange is integrated directly into the container wall structure rather than being a separate component. This merging of the flange with the container body provides easy filling and closure functionality while minimizing additional parts, thus resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and device complexity
Data Source
AI summary
A supply container for placement in a dispensing device of a program-controlled cleaning appliance, in particular a dishwasher, includes a main body providing a volumetric space, the volumetric space being of a size suitable for storing an amount of powdered detergent sufficient for performing a plurality of wash cycles. The main body includes a bottom portion and a circumferential side wall integrally formed therewith, the side wall being equipped with a flange located opposite the bottom portion and extending radially outwardly from the side wall.