Dishwasher Dosing Device with Two-Part Cover for Fluid-Tight Sealing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing dosing devices for pourable cleaning agents in dishwashers lack operational reliability, particularly in preventing moisture ingress and ensuring secure fluid-tight sealing during operation.

Innovation Solution

A dosing device with a two-part housing cover, featuring a cover part for fluid-tight sealing and a closure part with multiple locking elements interacting with locking cams on the housing, providing a multi-point locking mechanism and a bayonet lock design for secure closure, along with a hinged and ring-shaped closure part for easy handling and reduced mechanical stress on the seal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a single-piece housing cover is used for fluid-tight sealing, then the structure is simple, but the operational reliability and sealing security are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing reliabilityVSAvoidhousing cover structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The housing cover is divided into two separate parts: a cover part that provides fluid-tight sealing and a closure part that provides locking functionality. This segmentation allows each part to be optimized for its specific function, improving overall sealing reliability while maintaining structural simplicity through functional separation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If a multi-point locking mechanism is implemented, then the sealing security is enhanced, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveclosure securityVSAvoidlocking mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple locking elements are integrated into a single closure part that rotates as one piece. This merging approach provides multi-point locking security through multiple closure elements while avoiding the complexity of multiple independent locking mechanisms, as all elements are actuated simultaneously through the rotation of one closure part.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The closure part is designed to rotate dynamically, allowing the locking elements to engage with and disengage from the locking cams through rotational movement. This dynamic mechanism provides secure multi-point locking while maintaining ease of operation and reducing mechanical complexity compared to static or multi-component locking systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If a hinged housing cover is used, then the ease of operation is improved, but the sealing integrity may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecover accessibilityVSAvoidsealing integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The hinged cover is segmented into a cover part that maintains sealing integrity through its hinge connection and a closure part that provides locking. This segmentation allows the hinge to provide ease of operation for opening/closing while the separate closure part ensures sealing integrity through positive locking engagement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Ease of operation

If the closure part is designed as a ring-shaped structure, then the ease of operation and visibility are improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser accessibilityVSAvoidclosure part fabrication
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The closure part is designed as a ring-shaped structure with curved geometry that provides ergonomic handling and rotational movement. This curved design improves ease of operation and user accessibility while the ring shape can be efficiently manufactured using standard forming processes, balancing manufacturability with operational advantages.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Data Source

PatentEP3173007B1Metering device
Publication Date: 2018.01.31 MIELE & CO KG
  • EP3173007B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3173007B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3173007B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a dosing device for the dosed introduction of a pourable cleaning agent into a treatment chamber of a program-controlled cleaning device, in particular a dishwasher, with a housing (11) having a loading opening (12), a rotatable arranged in the housing (11) and via the loading opening (12 ) accessible support unit (14), which is used for the exchangeable accommodation of a storage container (13) provided for accommodating the cleaning agent, and with a housing cover (7) for fluid-tight sealing of the charging opening (12), the housing cover (7) forming the fluid-tight seal of the charging opening (12) and a closure part (9) which is movably arranged on the cover part (8), the closure part (9) being equipped with a plurality of closure elements (16) which each have a housing (11 ) arranged locking cams (17) interact.