Metering device
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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 moisture, leading to clogging and incorrect metering, especially before initial use.
Innovation Solution
A dosing device with a closure mechanism that interrupts the fluidic connection between the storage and dosing chambers until first use, featuring a movable closure element or sealing foil to prevent clumping in the dosing chamber, ensuring accurate dosing and preventing premature clumping of cleaning agents.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the storage container is designed with an open fluidic connection between storage chamber and dosing chamber, then the cleaning agent can flow freely for dosing, but moisture can enter and cause clumping in the dosing chamber leading to clogging
Solution Approach 1:
A closure element is provided that can close the passage opening between the storage chamber and dosing chamber before first use. This preliminary closure prevents moisture from entering the dosing chamber and causing clumping, while allowing the system to function normally once the closure is removed or opened for dosing operations
Solution Approach 2:
The storage container is divided into two separate chambers (storage chamber and dosing chamber) with a controllable passage opening between them. This segmentation allows independent control of moisture exposure in each chamber, protecting the dosing chamber from moisture while maintaining functionality
2Reliability
If the passage opening is kept closed to prevent clumping, then operational reliability is improved, but the cleaning agent cannot be metered into the dosing chamber
Solution Approach 1:
The closure element is designed to be movable between a closed position (preventing clumping) and an open position (allowing dosing). This dynamic design allows the system to switch between protection mode and operation mode, resolving the contradiction between reliability and productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The closure element can be removed or opened to allow the cleaning agent to flow from the storage chamber to the dosing chamber when dosing is required, while maintaining the protective closed state when not in use
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a dosing device for the metered introduction of a pourable cleaning agent into a treatment chamber of a program-controlled cleaning device, in particular a dishwasher, with a storage container (9) used to house the cleaning agent and a motor-rotatable support unit (6) which holds the storage container (9) exchangeable, the storage container (9) having a storage chamber (13) and a metering chamber (14) opening into a metering opening (23), the metering chamber (14) being fluidically connected to the storage chamber (13) with a passage opening (19) in between is. In order to further develop a dosing device of the type mentioned at the outset in such a way that there is increased operational reliability due to the design, the invention proposes a closure means (20) by means of which the passage opening (19) is closed at least until the storage container (9) is used for the first time as intended is.