Dosing device

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing dosing devices face challenges in maintaining effective dosing processes over a long service life, particularly in ensuring proper operation and cleaning of components without additional separate dispensing devices.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a switching device that allows the spray nozzle to operate in two modes: a spraying mode for dissolving medium and a rinsing mode for flushing, using the same water supply without dissolving the medium, enabling the use of pure water for cleaning and calibration purposes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a separate dispensing device is added for flushing operations, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning effectivenessVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The spray nozzle is designed to perform multiple functions: dissolving medium (spraying mode) and flushing/cleaning (rinsing mode). The switching device enables the same spray nozzle to operate in two different modes by controlling water flow direction, eliminating the need for a separate dispensing device while maintaining cleaning effectiveness

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines the dissolving function and flushing function into a single integrated system. The spray nozzle serves both purposes, and the switching device merges the control of both operations into one component, reducing overall system complexity while ensuring proper cleaning

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Productivity

If the spray nozzle operates continuously in spraying mode, then medium dissolution is maintained, but chemical residue buildup occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedosing continuityVSAvoidchemical residue buildup
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements periodic switching between spraying mode and rinsing mode. The control unit automatically alternates between dissolving medium and flushing the spray nozzle, preventing chemical residue buildup while maintaining continuous dosing capability. This periodic action ensures the spray nozzle remains clean without interrupting overall productivity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The rinsing mode provides continuous cleaning action to prevent residue buildup. By automatically switching to rinsing mode at appropriate intervals, the system maintains continuous useful action - both medium dissolution and nozzle cleaning - ensuring the spray nozzle remains free of chemical residues while dosing continues

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Reliability

If water pressure is increased for better flushing, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning effectivenessVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts water pressure based on operational mode. During rinsing mode, the switching device directs water flow to provide adequate flushing pressure when needed. During spraying mode, normal operating pressure is maintained. This dynamic adjustment ensures effective cleaning only when necessary, reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining cleaning effectiveness

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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

This solution ensures prolonged device functionality by allowing for regular and efficient flushing and cleaning operations, maintaining the dosing device's performance and preventing chemical residue buildup without the need for additional dispensing devices.

Implementation Method 1

The water is released from the spray nozzle under a certain pressure

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure: Pressure Increase

Implementation Method 2

The water is released from the spray nozzle under a certain pressure and directed vertically upward or diagonally upward

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectJet: Jet

Implementation Method 3

The grid prevents the medium in its original state, i.e., in undissolved form, from passing through the grid

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFiltration: Filter (physical)

Implementation Method 4

When water hits the grid, the water can dissolve or partially dissolve the medium

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDissolution: Solvation

Implementation Method 5

The medium dissolved in water, i.e. the media solution, is collected, in particular by a collecting device and fed to the target device via a feeding device, i.e. via fluid lines, if necessary with the aid of a pump

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPumping: Pump

Data Source

PatentEP4437924A1Dosing device
Publication Date: 2024.10.02 HERBERT SAIER GMBH
  • EP4437924A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4437924A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4437924A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates, among other things, to a dosing device (10) for dosing powdery or solid media (12), such as cleaning agents or disinfectants, and for supplying them in dissolved form (24) to a washing or cleaning system (14), e.g.a commercial dishwasher comprising a carrier (21), in particular a cartridge carrier, to which a container (11), in particular a cartridge, with a powdered or solid medium (12) can be attached, wherein the carrier (21) or the container (11) comprises a grid (23) that prevents the medium (12) from escaping from the container (11), and comprising a spray nozzle (20) with which, controlled by a control unit (15) of the dosing device (11), water (50) can be dispensed to dissolve the medium (12), wherein the medium (24) dissolved in water (50) and passing through the grid (23) can be supplied to the washing or cleaning system (14) via a feed device (20, 27, 28, 35), characterized in that the dosing device (10) includes a switching device (57) that can be addressed by the control unit (15). includes, which has at least two different switching states for operating the spray nozzle (20) in different operating modes.