Dishwasher Dosing Device with Closure Mechanism to Prevent Clumping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dosing devices for pourable cleaning agents in dishwashers face issues with operational reliability due to clumping caused by humidity, leading to inaccurate and unpredictable dosing of cleaning agents.
Innovation Solution
A dosing device with a closure mechanism that seals the cleaning agent dispensing opening when the storage container is in its rest position, preventing moisture ingress and clumping, featuring a closure lid and pretensioning spring for a tight seal, and designed to accommodate rotational or linear movement to ensure consistent dosing during operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the storage container is left open for dosing operations, then cleaning agent can be dispensed, but moisture can enter and cause clumping
Solution Approach 1:
The closure element is separated from the storage container and integrated into the dosing device, allowing the opening to remain closed during storage while enabling controlled access during dosing operations through the drive mechanism
Solution Approach 2:
The closure element is positioned to automatically seal the opening before moisture can cause clumping, and the drive mechanism is pre-configured to rotate the storage container to the dosing position where the closure element can be temporarily moved aside
2Reliability
If a closure element is added to seal the opening, then moisture ingress is prevented, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The closure element serves multiple functions: sealing the opening during storage, being movable to allow dosing, and working with the drive mechanism to enable automated operation without requiring separate complex sealing and dosing mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The closure element is integrated with the dosing device structure rather than being a separate component on the storage container, combining the sealing function with the dosing mechanism to reduce overall system complexity
3Productivity
If the storage container rotates for dosing, then cleaning agent can be dispensed, but the opening remains exposed to moisture
Solution Approach 1:
The closure element is designed to be dynamically positioned - remaining in the closed position during storage and automatically moving to an open position when the storage container rotates to the dosing position, then returning to closed position after dosing
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 enhances operational reliability by preventing moisture entry and clumping, ensuring accurate and reproducible dosing of cleaning agents, maintaining the cleaning agent's effectiveness across multiple wash cycles.
Implementation Method 1
The closure device has a pretensioning spring for pressing the closure lid against the cleaning agent dispensing opening in a closing direction
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The invention relates to a dosing device for the dosed introduction of pourable cleaning agent into a treatment chamber (4) of a program-controlled cleaning device, in particular a dishwasher (1), with a storage container (15) serving to accommodate the cleaning agent and a support unit (21) mounted so that it can be rotated by a motor, which accommodates the storage container (15) in an exchangeable manner, the storage container (15) having a cleaning agent dispensing channel (26) which opens into a cleaning agent dispensing opening (27), a closure device (22) which interacts with the cleaning agent dispensing opening (27) and which closes the cleaning agent dispensing opening (27) in Rest position of the reservoir (15) closed.