Powder Dosing Device for Homogeneous Disinfectant Mixing

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Solution Overview

Problem

The manual addition of powdered disinfectant and cleaning agent concentrates to create ready-to-use solutions is time-consuming and prone to errors, leading to inhomogeneous distribution and reduced effectiveness, especially when replacing liquid concentrates due to legal restrictions on aldehydes and acetic acid.

Innovation Solution

A device and method for automatic, decentralized dosing of powdered disinfectants and cleaning agents, using a water inlet, solenoid valve, flow rate sensor, and a mixing chamber with an extruder screw and controller to ensure precise and homogeneous mixing without central storage, mirroring the infrastructure for liquid concentrate dosing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual addition of powdered disinfectant and cleaning agent concentrates is used, then personnel can prepare ready-to-use solutions, but the process is time-consuming and prone to errors leading to inhomogeneous distribution

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of preparationVSAvoidpreparation time
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs automatic dosing of powdered concentrates without requiring manual intervention. The dosing device automatically measures and adds the correct amount of powder to the water container, eliminating the need for staff to manually measure and mix the concentrates.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The manual mechanical process of measuring and adding powder is replaced by an automated dosing device with controlled dispensing mechanism. The system uses automated control to regulate the amount of powder added, replacing human manual operations with a mechanical dosing system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If manual addition of powder is used, then personnel can create solutions, but inhomogeneous distribution occurs requiring additional stirring time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesimplicity of processVSAvoidstirring time
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The dosing device automatically ensures proper distribution of powder in the solution through its controlled dispensing mechanism, eliminating the need for manual stirring operations by staff.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary mixing action through its dosing mechanism that ensures homogeneous distribution of powder as it is being added to the water, so that no additional stirring time is required afterward.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If manual addition of powder is used, then personnel can prepare solutions, but operating errors lead to incorrect dosing affecting effectiveness

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflexibility of operationVSAvoiddosing accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit receives signals from sensors that monitor the dosing process and automatically adjusts the dosing amount to ensure precise concentration. The system measures parameters such as water volume and automatically calculates and dispenses the correct amount of powder, providing feedback control to maintain dosing accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

Human manual dosing operations are replaced by an automated control system that precisely regulates powder dispensing. The mechanical dosing device with control unit eliminates human error in measuring and adding concentrates, ensuring consistent and accurate dosing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Device complexity

If decentralized dosing with powdered concentrates is implemented, then infrastructure changes are avoided, but automatic dosing mechanisms are required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinfrastructure requirementsVSAvoidautomation level
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSExtent of automation

Solution Approach 1:

The system achieves automatic dosing at decentralized locations without requiring central storage facilities or complex infrastructure. Each dosing device independently performs measurement, dosing, and mixing operations, making the system self-sufficient at the point of use.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 efficient, automatic, and precise creation of ready-to-use solutions with reduced personnel workload, preventing errors and maintaining solution effectiveness while avoiding the need for infrastructure changes, ensuring consistent disinfectant concentration and preventing contamination.

Implementation Method 1

a container (10) for a powdered disinfectant and/or cleaning agent concentrate, which has a discharge opening (13) facing away from the container axis, with an extruder screw (11) arranged in the container

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectScrew conveying: Screw

Implementation Method 2

a mixing chamber (9) in which the powder is mixed with a part of the water

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMixing: Stirring

Implementation Method 3

a solenoid valve (4)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSolenoid actuation: Solenoid

Implementation Method 4

a flow rate sensor (5)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFlow rate sensing:

Data Source

PatentEP3378499B1Device and method for dosing of disinfectants and/or cleaning agents
Publication Date: 2021.09.01 WILHELM SCHUETZ KG
  • EP3378499B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3378499B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The invention relates to a device for dosing disinfectants and/or cleaning agents for preparing ready-to-use solutions, comprising a water inlet (1), a solenoid valve (4), a flow sensor (5), a water reservoir (6), and an outlet (7). A branch (8) is connected to a mixing chamber (9). The mixing chamber (9) is part of a powder dosing device. The invention also relates to a method for dosing disinfectants and/or cleaning agents for preparing ready-to-use solutions.