Dosing device and system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dosing devices for automatic washing machines face challenges in accurately dispensing tablets of active ingredients, particularly due to issues like moisture-induced swelling or sticking, and bulkiness, which affects their design and functionality.
Innovation Solution
A dosing device with a linearly movable and rotatable metering mechanism that includes a container with an exit port, an outlet, and a housing, allowing for precise control and dispensing of tablets, while minimizing bulkiness and preventing jamming, using a cartridge system that can connect to an automatic washing machine.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a rotating disc with pre-sorted tablets is used for dosing, then tablet delivery control is improved, but device bulkiness increases and manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The dosing device is divided into separate functional modules: a container for storing multiple tablets, a metering mechanism for controlling dispensing, and a housing for structural support. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, reducing overall device bulk while maintaining precise tablet delivery control through the dedicated metering mechanism.
2Reliability
If a feed chute and conveyor device are used to align tablets, then jamming is reduced, but device bulkiness increases
Solution Approach 1:
The container is designed with a tapered configuration that automatically guides tablets toward the metering mechanism, pre-aligning them in the correct orientation before dosing. This preliminary action eliminates the need for separate feed chutes and conveyor devices, reducing device bulkiness while maintaining reliability by preventing jams through proper tablet alignment.
3Extent of automation
If tablets are stored in a container inside the washing machine, then machine-dependent control is improved, but moisture-induced swelling and sticking increase
Solution Approach 1:
The container is designed to create a moisture-barrier environment that protects tablets from humidity in the washing machine. This inert environment protection prevents moisture-induced swelling and sticking, allowing the device to maintain machine-dependent automation control while storing tablets safely inside the washing machine environment.
4Volume of moving object
If a compact metering mechanism is used, then device bulkiness is reduced, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The metering mechanism incorporates movable components that can transition between different positions to control tablet dispensing. This dynamic design allows the mechanism to maintain precise metering control in a compact form, as the moving parts enable accurate tablet delivery without requiring excessive space, thereby balancing compactness with manufacturing precision requirements.
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2a
Figure 2b~2c
AI summary
The present invention relates to A dosing device or system for dispensing a plurality of tablets, which each comprise at least one active ingredient for an automatic washing process, into an automatic washing machine, wherein the dosing device or system is for dispensing one or more, but not all, of the plurality of tablets at once into the automatic washing machine, wherein the dosing device or system comprises: a container for storing the plurality of tablets, wherein the container comprises an exit port; an outlet for delivering the one or more tablets from the container into the automatic washing machine; a metering mechanism located between the exit port of the container and the outlet; and a housing which surrounds the metering mechanism, wherein the housing comprises an inlet opening for receiving the one or more tablets from the exit port of the container, and an output opening for delivering the one or more tablets to the outlet; wherein the metering mechanism is linearly moveable in the housing between a first position in which the one or more tablets is receivable in the inlet opening, and a second position in which the one or more tablets is deliverable to the outlet; preferably wherein the dosing device or system is for dispensing only one tablet at once.