Dosing apparatus for dispensing cleaning agents
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dosing systems for household machines lack effective coordination between the dosing device and the machine, leading to inefficiencies in substance dispensing and program control.
Innovation Solution
A dosing device with a tank and control unit that includes data transmission connections between the dosing unit, tank, and household machine, allowing for precise control of substance dispensing and program adaptation through wireless interfaces and mechanical coding, ensuring compatibility and optimal dosage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If data transmission connections are added between dosing unit, tank, and household machine, then coordination and control precision are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The dosing system is divided into separate functional modules: a dosing unit with control means, a tank for storing substances, and a household machine. Each module can independently perform its function while communicating through data transmission connections. The tank is designed as an exchangeable unit that can be connected to or disconnected from the dosing unit, allowing flexible configuration and reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The data transmission connections serve multiple functions: they enable identification of the tank, transmission of dosage parameters, coordination between the dosing unit and household machine, and control of the dosing process. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components for each function, thereby managing complexity while improving precision.
2Adaptability or versatility
If tank is designed as exchangeable unit with data transmission connections, then adaptability and compatibility are improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tank is designed as a separate exchangeable unit that can be independently manufactured and then connected to the dosing unit. This segmentation allows specialized manufacturers to produce tanks with integrated data transmission connections and identification elements without requiring the entire dosing system to be manufactured as one complex unit, thereby improving ease of manufacture while maintaining adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The data transmission connections act as an intermediary interface between the tank and dosing unit. This standardized interface enables different tank types to be compatible with the same dosing unit through a uniform connection mechanism, simplifying manufacturing by establishing a common protocol rather than requiring custom integration for each tank type.
3Loss of information
If multiple data transmission connections are implemented, then coordination between dosing device and machine is improved, but loss of information is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The data transmission connections establish a feedback loop between the tank, dosing unit, and household machine. The system can read data from the tank (such as substance type and dosage parameters), transmit this information to the control means, and use this feedback to automatically adjust dosing parameters. This ensures accurate information transmission and reduces data loss by continuously verifying and adjusting based on received data.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a metering device (2, 2', 2"; 36, 37) for the metered addition of substances such as detergents, washing or dishwashing agents to household appliances (1, 1', 1"; 35) such as washing machines, dishwashers or the like, comprising a metering unit (25, 37) with control means for controlling the metered addition of the substances and a reservoir mount (23, 24, 30, 31, 41), a reservoir (26, 36) for storing the substances, the reservoir (26, 36) being designed as a replaceable unit that can be connected to the reservoir mount, at least one connection for transmitting data between the metering unit (25, 37) and the reservoir (26, 36), and at least one connection for transmitting data between the household appliance (1, 1', 1"; 35) and the reservoir (26, 36) and/or the metering unit (25, 37).