Feeding device for cleaning tablets or salt tablets, electrolysis cell and heating device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cleaning solutions for hot appliances, such as ovens and dishwashers, often involve irritating or corrosive chemicals, posing risks during transport, storage, and application, and require complex redesigns of appliances for efficient dosing.
Innovation Solution
A feeding device equipped with an electrolysis cell for in-situ production of cleaning agents from salt tablets, which includes a rotatable drum cartridge for separating and dispensing tablets, and an ion exchange membrane to produce alkali and acid for cleaning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If cleaning agents are stored as liquid concentrate in a reservoir, then cleaning effectiveness is maintained, but the risk of leakage and exposure to irritating or corrosive chemicals increases
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful chemicals (cleaning agents) are extracted from the storage system and replaced with harmless salt tablets. Only salt is stored in the cartridge, which is then converted to cleaning agents through electrolysis during use, eliminating the risk of storing hazardous liquids.
Solution Approach 2:
An electrolysis cell is introduced as an intermediary device that converts harmless salt into active cleaning agents (alkali and acid) on-demand. This mediator transforms the storage medium from hazardous chemicals to safe salt while maintaining cleaning effectiveness.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If solid cleaning tablets are used, then safety during storage and transport is improved, but complex dosing mechanisms are required for efficient application
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-dosing through automated mechanisms: the cartridge automatically feeds salt tablets into the electrolysis cell, and the control unit manages the electrolysis process and timing, eliminating the need for manual dosing intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
Manual dosing operations are replaced with automated mechanical and electronic systems including a motorized cartridge rotation mechanism, automated tablet feeding, and electronic control of the electrolysis process.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a complete redesign of the appliance is performed to accommodate acid or alkali supply connections, then cleaning functionality is enabled, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The electrolysis cell serves multiple functions: it generates both alkali and acid cleaning agents, acts as a storage container for salt tablets, and functions as a dosing mechanism. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate systems for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The storage container, dosing mechanism, and chemical generation system are merged into a single integrated cartridge unit that can be easily installed in existing appliances without requiring separate components or extensive redesign.
4Productivity
If multiple salt tablets are conveyed simultaneously into the electrolysis cell, then productivity is improved, but the dosing precision and control become more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The cartridge is divided into multiple independent compartments, each containing a stack of salt tablets. This segmentation allows for controlled dispensing of tablets from individual compartments, maintaining dosing precision while enabling simultaneous processing.
Solution Approach 2:
Salt tablets are pre-stacked in organized stacks within the cartridge compartments before use. This preliminary organization enables systematic and precise dispensing of tablets during the electrolysis process, ensuring accurate dosing even when multiple tablets are processed.
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 simplifies the dosing of cleaning tablets, eliminates the need for hazardous chemical storage, and provides an efficient, environmentally friendly method for cleaning hot appliances using in-situ generated cleaning agents.
Implementation Method 1
an electrolysis cell for the in-situ production of cleaning agents from salt tablets
Implementation Method 2
an ion exchange membrane to produce alkali and acid for cleaning
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
The disclosure relates to a feed device (60) for salt tablets, comprising a cartridge (61) designed as a rotatable drum, in which the salt tablets are stacked in a plurality of slots. The feed device (60) is used in particular for dosing salt tablets into an electrolysis cell (20).