Dosing unit and water-bearing household appliance with an automatic dosing system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing water-bearing household appliances, such as dishwashers, require manual detergent dosing, which can lead to incorrect or forgotten detergent amounts, resulting in suboptimal cleaning results.
Innovation Solution
A dosing unit with a storage cartridge that uses gravity to transport detergent tablets to a dosing device, comprising a scoop and plug, allowing for automatic dispensing of the correct detergent amount during washing cycles, eliminating the need for manual filling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual detergent dosing is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability of correct detergent dosing deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The dosing unit is designed to automatically dose detergent tablets without user intervention. The storage cartridge automatically feeds tablets to the dosing device, which then releases the correct amount at the appropriate time during the washing cycle, eliminating the need for manual filling and ensuring consistent correct dosing.
Solution Approach 2:
The storage cartridge pre-stores multiple detergent tablets in advance. The dosing mechanism is pre-configured with the correct dosing geometry (scoop size, chamber volume) to ensure the correct amount is dosed automatically without requiring user calculation or measurement during operation.
2Ease of operation
If automatic dosing system is implemented, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The dosing system is divided into separate functional modules: a removable storage cartridge for holding multiple tablets, a dosing device with scoop and receiving chamber for precise dosing, and a plug for controlled release. This segmentation allows simple individual components that together provide automatic dosing functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The dosing device acts as an intermediary between the storage cartridge and the washing machine drum. It receives tablets from the storage cartridge, holds them in a receiving chamber, and releases them at the correct time, mediating the transfer and ensuring proper dosing timing and amount.
3Use of energy by moving object
If gravity-driven transport is used, then the use of energy is reduced, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The storage cartridge is designed with an inclined bottom side that creates a gravity-driven flow path for detergent tablets. The outlet is positioned at the lower end of this incline, allowing tablets to move automatically from storage to the dosing device without requiring additional energy input, while the inclination angle is optimized to ensure reliable tablet movement.
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
Ensures consistent and correct detergent dosing for multiple washing cycles without user intervention, enhancing cleaning efficiency and reliability.
Implementation Method 1
a container with a bottom side forming an inclination angle with a horizontal direction when the dosing unit is arranged as intended for use, wherein an outlet is formed in the container at a lower end of the bottom side, such that detergent tablets on the bottom side move towards the outlet driven by gravity
Data Source
AI summary
A dosing unit for automatically dosing at least one detergent tablet provided by a storage cartridge for storing a plurality of detergent tablets, for use in an automatic dosing system of a water-bearing household appliance, wherein the storage cartridge comprises a container with a bottom side forming an inclination angle with a horizontal direction when the dosing unit is arranged as intended for use, wherein an outlet is formed in the container at a lower end of the bottom side, such that detergent tablets on the bottom side move towards the outlet driven by gravity (G), and wherein a dosing device is attached to the storage cartridge on the outlet, the dosing device including a scoop and a plug, wherein the scoop is configured to separate a detergent tablet from the plurality and transport the separated detergent tablet to a receiving chamber formed in the plug when the scoop is turned in a first turning direction about a rotational axis (X) that is parallel to the bottom side, and the plug is configured to release the detergent tablet from the receiving chamber.