Adjustable Liquid Dosing Apparatus with Pneumatic Flow Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid dosing systems are cumbersome, rely on gravity, or require complex mechanisms, making it difficult to deliver precise and variable doses of liquids without leaving residues or causing operator fatigue, especially in domestic and industrial applications.
Innovation Solution
A dosing apparatus with a resiliently squeezable container, a rotatable element with adjustable flow restricting apertures, and a piston mechanism that allows for easy adjustment of dose volume by altering the cross-sectional area of timer apertures, enabling precise and ergonomic dispensing of liquids from 1ml to 80ml with minimal pressure variation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a gravity-based dosing system is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the dosing precision and reliability deteriorate due to dependence on gravitational force and tilt angle
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces gravity-based mechanical dosing with a pressure-driven pneumatic system. A flexible diaphragm converts manual squeezing force into controlled pressure that forces liquid through a nozzle, eliminating dependence on gravitational force and tilt angle while maintaining simple device construction
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a flexible diaphragm that dynamically responds to applied pressure, allowing the dosing mechanism to adapt to different squeezing forces while maintaining consistent dosing. The diaphragm's elastic deformation provides a dynamic pressure source that overcomes the static nature of gravity-based systems
2Device complexity
If a fixed dosing chamber volume is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the adaptability to different dose volumes deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a movable plunger that can be positioned at different locations within the dosing chamber, dynamically adjusting the chamber volume. This allows the same simple chamber structure to provide multiple dosing volumes by simply repositioning the plunger, eliminating the need for multiple fixed-volume chambers
Solution Approach 2:
The dosing chamber is effectively segmented into variable volumes by the movable plunger, which divides the chamber into a dosing portion and a reservoir portion. This segmentation allows flexible volume adjustment while maintaining a single unified chamber structure
3Adaptability or versatility
If a large dosing chamber volume is used, then the adaptability to large dose volumes is improved, but the device size and portability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a movable plunger to dynamically adjust the effective dosing chamber volume, allowing a compact chamber to deliver large doses by maximizing the chamber utilization. The same compact chamber can adapt to different dose requirements without requiring physical size changes
Solution Approach 2:
The plunger can be pre-positioned to optimize the dosing chamber volume for different applications, allowing the apparatus to be prepared in advance for specific dosing requirements without requiring a different sized chamber
4Ease of operation
If manual squeezing force is applied to control dosing, then the ease of operation is improved, but the dosing precision deteriorates due to pressure variation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a flow restrictor that provides negative feedback by limiting the maximum flow rate through the nozzle. This ensures that even if varying pressure is applied during squeezing, the dosing precision is maintained by preventing excessive flow, while still allowing easy manual operation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the flow regime parameter by introducing a flow restrictor that creates a choke point in the flow path. This transforms the system from being pressure-sensitive to being flow-rate-controlled, maintaining dosing accuracy despite variations in applied pressure
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 apparatus provides consistent, drip-free, and ergonomic dispensing of liquids with minimal pressure, allowing for easy adjustment of dose volume, reducing operator fatigue, and maintaining accuracy across different tilt angles and container fill levels.
Implementation Method 1
a resiliently squeezable container (2) for containing a liquid detergent composition
Implementation Method 2
wherein the liquid is a shear thinning liquid and the shear thinning liquid has a viscosity of greater than 150mPa.s measured at 10s -1
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
An apparatus and means of repeatedly dispensing controlled doses of liquid contained in a resiliently squeezable container, wherein the dose size can be adjusted.