Dishwasher Detergent Magazine with Bistable Dose Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing long-life dispensers for washing machines are cumbersome, prone to malfunctions due to powdered detergent issues like lump formation and stratification, and have complex, unreliable designs with gasket deterioration problems.
Innovation Solution
A compact, reliable dispensing device with a bistable kinematic mechanism and optical sensors for precise detergent delivery, using a thermoelectric actuator and a transmission system to manage the movement of a magazine with separate compartments for individual doses, ensuring easy operation and maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a hopper-shaped container with metering and delivery system is used, then detergent can be delivered in controlled doses, but the device becomes cumbersome and subject to malfunctions due to lump formation and stratification
Solution Approach 1:
The container is divided into multiple compartments, each capable of holding a separate dose of detergent. This segmentation allows independent delivery of each compartment's contents, enabling precise dose control while simplifying the overall structure by eliminating the need for complex metering mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a traditional hopper shape that requires complex metering systems at the outlet, the invention inverts the approach by using simple cylindrical compartments where detergent is delivered directly from the bottom of each compartment. This inversion eliminates the need for sophisticated metering mechanisms while maintaining dose control.
2Reliability
If compressed air generators are used to keep detergent under pneumatic pressure, then lump formation and stratification are reduced, but the device becomes even more complicated, bulky and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The detergent compartments are designed to be automatically filled and sealed by the rotation mechanism itself. The compartments fill themselves during the rotation cycle, and the sealing is achieved through the mechanical action of the rotating wall, eliminating the need for separate pneumatic filling systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts and eliminates the complex pneumatic pressure generation system from the dispenser, replacing it with a simple mechanical rotation-based filling and delivery mechanism that achieves the same reliability without the bulk and cost of compressed air generators.
3Stability of the object's composition
If gaskets are used to seal the movable metering member, then sealing is achieved, but the actuating system must overcome friction from multiple gaskets making operation unreliable
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the problematic gasket sealing system entirely, replacing it with a gasketless design where sealing is achieved through the precise mechanical fit of the rotating compartments and their engagement with the container wall, eliminating friction-related reliability issues.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the mechanical gasket-based sealing system with a geometry-based sealing approach, where the shape and fit of the rotating compartments provide sealing without requiring flexible gasket materials, thereby reducing friction and improving reliability.
4Device complexity
If a stationary container with fixed cover is used, then structure is simplified, but filling and cleaning operations become inconvenient and maintenance is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces a rotating movable wall that divides the container into multiple compartments. This dynamic element allows the compartments to be individually accessed, filled, and cleaned by simply rotating the wall to position the desired compartment at the access opening, maintaining structural simplicity while greatly improving operability.
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 a simple, reliable, and efficient delivery of washing agents, minimizing detergent lump formation and stratification issues, while reducing maintenance needs and ensuring consistent washing quality.
Implementation Method 1
optical sensors for precise detergent delivery
Implementation Method 2
using a thermoelectric actuator and a transmission system
Implementation Method 3
A compact, reliable dispensing device with a bistable kinematic mechanism
Data Source
AI summary
A long-life substance dispensing device for a washing machine, particularly a dishwasher, comprises: —a body (20′, 30′) designed to be sealingly fixed to a structure of the washing machine, —a support means (40) adapted to contain a total amount of a substance sufficient for performing a plurality of washing cycles, —an actuation system (47′, 50″, 61″) which is electrically controllable for causing delivery of at least one dose of the substance contained in the support means (40). The actuation system (47′, 50″, 61″) comprises at least one drive element and one driven element (47′) capable of cooperating to obtain the delivery. The actuation system (47′, 50″, 61″) is arranged for being able to take on an operative condition, wherein the drive element (61″) is operatively coupled with the driven element (47′), and an inoperative condition, wherein the drive element (61″) is decoupled from the driven element (47′).