Multi-Cartridge Dosing Device for Automatic Cleaning Agent Dispensing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing dosing systems for cleaning and care agents in dishwashers are inefficient, as they require manual dosing and are not well-matched to the actual needs of the user, often necessitating the use of multiple products and leading to suboptimal dosing of supplementary agents.

Innovation Solution

A dosing device with a control unit, sensor unit, and multiple cartridges that can be easily coupled and decoupled, allowing for precise and automatic dosing of various cleaning and care agents, including boosters, softeners, deodorizers, and machine cleaners, using gravity-operated release mechanisms and optional communication interfaces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple separate cleaning and care agents are used, then cleaning functionality is improved, but device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate due to needing multiple products and manual dosing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning functionalityVSAvoidmanual dosing requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple separate cleaning and care agents (dishwasher detergent, rinse aid, softening salt, deodorant, machine cleaner) into a single integrated dosing device with multiple cartridges. This merging allows all agents to be dosed automatically from one device, eliminating the need for manual dosing of multiple separate products while maintaining comprehensive cleaning functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The dosing device is designed as a universal system that can handle multiple types of cleaning and care agents simultaneously. Each cartridge type is designed for a specific agent, but the device integrates them all into one system that automatically doses each agent at the appropriate time during the washing cycle, providing multi-functionality without increasing operational complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of manufacture

If standardized dosing is used, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but dosing appropriateness deteriorates as dosing is not matched to actual user needs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestandardized dosingVSAvoiddosing appropriateness

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The dosing device incorporates sensors that detect actual conditions in the washing machine (such as water hardness, load size, or cycle type) and provide feedback to the control unit. Based on this feedback, the control unit automatically adjusts the dosing quantities of each cleaning and care agent, ensuring that the dosing is appropriately matched to the actual user needs rather than relying solely on predetermined standardized amounts.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The dosing system transitions from static, predetermined dosing to dynamic, adaptive dosing. The control unit can vary the dosing quantities of different agents based on real-time conditions detected by sensors, allowing the system to optimize performance for each specific washing scenario while maintaining ease of manufacture through modular cartridge design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Device complexity

If manual dosing is required, then device complexity is reduced, but productivity deteriorates due to time-consuming manual intervention for each cycle

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedosing systemVSAvoiddosing efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The dosing device is designed to serve itself by automatically dosing all cleaning and care agents without requiring manual intervention. The system includes automatic cartridge recognition, dosing control, and dispensing mechanisms that operate autonomously during each washing cycle, significantly improving productivity while the modular cartridge design keeps the overall device complexity manageable.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The cleaning and care agents are pre-loaded into separate cartridges before the washing cycle begins. The dosing device is pre-configured with multiple cartridge slots and dosing mechanisms for each agent type, allowing the system to be ready for automatic operation from the start of each cycle without requiring manual setup or intervention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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

Enables easier and more appropriate dosing of supplementary cleaning and care agents, reducing manual intervention and optimizing the use of multiple agents within a dishwasher, improving cleaning performance and maintenance between cycles.

Implementation Method 1

using gravity-operated release mechanisms

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentUS11071435B2Dosing device for a cleaning machine

Publication Date: 2021.07.27 HENKEL KGAA

AI summary

A system for dosing substances such as cleaning and/or care agents is disclosed. The system includes a dosing device, at least one energy source, a control unit, a sensor unit, and at least two cartridges for respectively accommodating at least one of the cleaning and/or care agents. The at least two cartridges are capable of being coupled to the dosing device.