Sensor-Based Cleaning Agent Dosing for Universal Machine Compatibility

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cleaning machines face challenges in achieving optimal cleaning results due to inaccurate dosing of cleaning agents, leading to excessive energy and resource consumption, and lack of universal applicability in older machines.

Innovation Solution

A method for automatic dosing of cleaning agents that involves receiving control information about the cleaning machine, determining the progress of the cleaning process, and dispensing agents based on this information, using sensor-based detection and wireless communication to ensure precise dosing, thereby optimizing energy and resource usage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a mobile automatic dosing device is used to ensure universal applicability across older cleaning machines, then adaptability is improved, but dosing precision deteriorates because the device can only inaccurately determine the optimal time for dosing based solely on data collected during the cleaning process

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuniversal applicabilityVSAvoiddosing timing accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by receiving control information about the cleaning machine before the cleaning process starts. This allows the dosing device to know in advance the program structure, water temperature, and other parameters, enabling precise determination of optimal dosing times before the actual cleaning begins, rather than trying to determine dosing timing during the process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Device complexity

If dosing is based solely on data collected during the cleaning process, then device complexity is reduced, but dosing precision deteriorates leading to inability to achieve optimal cleaning results

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedosing system complexityVSAvoiddosing accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system receives control information before the cleaning process starts, including program structure and machine parameters. This preliminary data acquisition allows simple sensor-based detection during the process to achieve high dosing accuracy, as the foundation is already established from pre-process information

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If underdosing or overdosing occurs, then ease of operation is maintained, but cleaning quality deteriorates and resource consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomatic dosing operationVSAvoidcleaning quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses sensor-based automatic detection to monitor the cleaning process and compares it with the received control information. This feedback mechanism allows the system to automatically adjust dosing to achieve optimal cleaning quality without manual intervention, preventing both underdosing and overdosing while maintaining ease of operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3558083B1Method for metering cleaning agents
Publication Date: 2024.02.28 HENKEL KGAA
  • EP3558083B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3558083B1 patent drawingFigure 3a
  • EP3558083B1 patent drawingFigure 3b

AI summary

The invention relates in particular to a method for metering cleaning agents in cleaning machines, comprising the following steps: receiving control information which are dependent on an item of information relating to a cleaning machine; determining the progress of a cleaning process; and metering a cleaning agent depending on the received control information and the determined progress of the cleaning process; the information relating to the cleaning machine can be determined by means of sensor-based automatic identification.