Storage container for assembly in a metering device of a cleaning device

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing reservoir designs for program-controlled cleaning devices, such as dishwashers, cannot be completely emptied, leading to residual cleaning agent issues, especially in disposable containers, which results in underdosing and inefficiency.

Innovation Solution

A reservoir design with a storage compartment that holds sufficient cleaning agent for a final cleaning program, utilizing a partition to separate the storage compartment and chamber, allowing for minimal residue by reversing the rotation direction when underdosing is detected, ensuring cleaning agent is only used when necessary and minimizing leftovers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If a reservoir is designed to store cleaning agent for multiple cleaning programs, then the cleaning agent can be stored in sufficient quantity, but the reservoir cannot be completely emptied and residual cleaning agent remains

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning agent storage quantityVSAvoidresidual cleaning agent
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The storage space is divided into a storage chamber and a storage compartment separated by a partition. The storage compartment is specifically designed to hold a quantity of cleaning agent sufficient for one final cleaning program, while the storage chamber holds the remainder. This segmentation allows the reservoir to be nearly completely emptied by directing flow primarily from the storage chamber, minimizing residual cleaning agent in the main storage area.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Extent of automation

If the reservoir rotates in a program-controlled manner to dispense cleaning agent, then cleaning agent can be dosed automatically, but underdosing may occur when the reservoir is nearly empty

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomatic dosingVSAvoiddosing accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The reservoir is designed with the storage compartment positioned and configured in advance to retain a specific quantity of cleaning agent sufficient for one final cleaning program. This preliminary arrangement ensures that even when the automated dosing system detects low levels in the storage chamber, there is guaranteed cleaning agent available in the storage compartment to complete at least one more cleaning program, preventing underdosing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Quantity of substance

If the storage space is divided into storage chamber and storage compartment by a partition, then cleaning agent can be retained in the storage compartment, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning agent retentionVSAvoidreservoir structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The storage space is divided into a storage chamber and a storage compartment separated by a partition. The storage compartment is specifically designed to hold a quantity of cleaning agent sufficient for one final cleaning program, while the storage chamber holds the remainder. This segmentation allows the reservoir to be nearly completely emptied by directing flow primarily from the storage chamber, minimizing residual cleaning agent in the main storage area.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 design ensures sufficient cleaning agent for the last program, informs users when the container is empty, and minimizes residual cleaning agent, allowing for nearly complete emptying of the reservoir, thus optimizing dosing and reducing waste.

Implementation Method 1

When the reservoir (15) is rotated in a dosing direction (37), cleaning agent (36) is dispensed from the storage chamber (31) via the outlet opening (35)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Implementation Method 2

the storage compartment (30) is designed to retain a quantity of cleaning agent (36) sufficient for carrying out a final cleaning program by its position and the geometry of the outlet opening (35)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentEP3289949B1Storage container for assembly in a metering device of a cleaning device
Publication Date: 2021.08.18 MIELE & CO KG
  • EP3289949B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3289949B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3289949B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a storage container for arrangement in a dosing device (7) of a program-controlled cleaning appliance (1), in particular a household dishwasher, with a base body (28) providing a storage space (29) for cleaning agents (36), the storage space (29) having a size which is used to store powdered cleaning agent (36) in a quantity that is sufficient to carry out a plurality of cleaning programs, the storage space (29) providing a storage compartment (30) that serves as a cleaning agent reservoir and has a size that Storage of powdered detergent is used in an amount that is sufficient or at least approximately sufficient for the implementation of a cleaning program.