Dosing device and system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dosing devices for automatic washing machines face challenges in accurately dispensing tablets of active ingredients, particularly due to issues like moisture-induced swelling or sticking, and bulkiness, which affects their design and functionality.
Innovation Solution
A dosing device system with a container, metering mechanism, and housing that allows for linear movement between positions, featuring a resilient mechanism to prevent multiple tablets from being dispensed at once and an agitation means to prevent jamming, all designed to be compact and efficient in space usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a rotating disc with guides is used to control tablet delivery, then tablet dispensing can be achieved, but the device becomes bulky and awkward to manufacture
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the complex guide structures and column arrangements from prior art, extracting only the essential function of controlling tablet delivery. The simplified outlet allows tablets to be metered directly without requiring guiding structures, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining dispensing reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using guides to direct tablets through a complex path, the invention inverts the approach by allowing tablets to move freely and using a simplified outlet mechanism to control delivery. This reversal of the control strategy eliminates the need for complex guiding structures.
2Productivity
If tablets are stored in a container inside the washing machine, then multiple doses can be delivered, but tablets become wedged against each other and jamming occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The invention incorporates an agitation means that vibrates or agitates the tablets in the container, preventing them from becoming wedged against each other. This mechanical agitation ensures reliable tablet flow and prevents jamming, enabling consistent multiple dose delivery.
Solution Approach 2:
The agitation means acts as an intermediary between the stored tablets and the metering mechanism, ensuring that tablets remain loose and flowable. This intermediary action prevents direct contact and wedging between tablets, maintaining reliable flow to the outlet.
3Reliability
If a feed chute and conveyor device are used to align tablets, then jams are reduced, but the dosing device becomes bulky and takes up a lot of space
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the essential function of tablet alignment from the complex feed chute and conveyor system, retaining only the minimum necessary structure. The simplified outlet and container design achieve alignment without requiring separate feed chutes or conveyor devices, thereby reducing the overall device volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the alignment function into the basic container and outlet structure, eliminating the need for separate alignment mechanisms. By combining storage and metering functions into a compact integrated design, the device achieves reliable tablet alignment without requiring additional space-consuming components.
4Ease of manufacture
If tablets are provided in liquid composition, then dispensing is simplified, but not all active ingredients can be suitably provided in liquid form
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses tablet form as a copy or alternative representation of liquid active ingredients, maintaining the versatility to deliver various active ingredients while simplifying the dispensing process. Tablets provide a solid, stable form that can be easily stored and dispensed, replicating the functionality of liquid compositions without their limitations.
Data Source
AI summary
A dosing device or system for dispensing tablets, which can include at least one active ingredient for an automatic washing process, into an automatic washing machine, wherein the dosing device or system is for dispensing one or more, but not all, of the tablets at once into the automatic washing machine, and wherein the dosing device or system can be for dispensing only one tablet at once.