Metering device for shaped cleaning-agent bodies in domestic dishwashers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automatic dosing systems for domestic dishwashers face challenges in efficiently and reliably dispensing cleaning agent tablets due to limited installation space and the need for manual intervention, especially as the storage container becomes less full, leading to unreliable gravity-fed dispensing.
Innovation Solution
A compact dosing device with a reservoir for cleaning agent tablets, featuring a transport device and a lifting mechanism that creates a run-off slope to ensure reliable dispensing, even when the container is partially filled, using a spring or elastic band to automatically adjust the base's position and prevent jamming, ensuring consistent delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If cleaning agent tablets are stored in a reservoir and dispensed by gravity, then the device structure is simple, but dispensing becomes unreliable when the container is partially filled
Solution Approach 1:
The base of the reservoir is designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing it to automatically adjust its position based on the weight of the cleaning agent tablets. This dynamic adjustment maintains a consistent run-off slope to the transfer opening regardless of the filling level, ensuring reliable gravity-fed dispensing throughout the container's usage life
Solution Approach 2:
The slope angle of the base relative to the transfer opening is dynamically changed as the filling level decreases. When the container is full, the base is in an initial position; as tablets are consumed and weight decreases, the base automatically tilts more steeply toward the transfer opening, optimizing the run-off slope for reliable dispensing at each stage
2Device complexity
If the reservoir base is fixed, then the device structure is simple, but space usage is not optimized as the container empties
Solution Approach 1:
The reservoir base is designed as a movable component that automatically adjusts its position and orientation based on the weight of the cleaning agent tablets. This dynamic adjustment optimizes the internal volume utilization and maintains the run-off slope to the transfer opening throughout the container's usage life
Solution Approach 2:
The base automatically adjusts its own position in response to changing weight conditions without external intervention. The lifting device, driven by spring force and weight-dependent activation, self-regulates the base orientation to maintain optimal dispensing geometry as tablets are consumed
3Reliability
If manual intervention is required to maintain dispensing reliability, then dispensing reliability can be maintained, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically maintains optimal dispensing conditions through the weight-dependent lifting mechanism. As cleaning agent tablets are consumed and the container weight decreases, the spring-driven lifting device automatically activates to adjust the base position and maintain the run-off slope, eliminating the need for manual intervention throughout the container's usage life
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 enables reliable automatic addition of cleaning agent tablets for multiple washing cycles, optimizing space usage and maintaining reliable dispensing throughout the life of the cleaning agent supply without manual intervention, ensuring efficient operation and user convenience.
Implementation Method 1
the lifting of the base at least in sections creating a run-off slope in the direction of the transfer opening or the gradient of an existing run-off slope being increased at least in sections
Implementation Method 2
The tablets can be fed from the storage container to the transport device solely by gravity
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a metering device (100) for dispensing shaped cleaning-agent bodies (102) into a washing chamber (4) of a domestic dishwasher (1), comprising a reservoir (101), which is designed to hold a filling of the shaped cleaning-agent bodies (102) and has a transfer opening (107) in a region of the bottom (103) of the reservoir, and a transport device (109') for actively transporting the shaped cleaning-agent bodies from the transfer opening (107) of the reservoir (101) into the washing chamber (4). In addition, the metering device (100) comprises a lifting device (114) for raising the bottom (103) of the reservoir (101) at least in parts, wherein a discharge slant toward the transfer opening (107) is produced at least in parts or the downgrade of an existing discharge slant is increased at least in parts by the raising of the bottom (103).