Chemical Dispensing Control With Closed-Loop Dilution Accuracy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Car washes are labor and equipment intensive, and the use of concentrated chemicals increases material handling concerns and shipping costs.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a fluid management system with integrated control systems for precise dispensing, mixing, and dilution of chemicals and motive fluids, using syringe pumps, fluid delivery manifolds, and mixing sites, along with closed-loop feedback for controlling pressure, flow rates, and dilution ratios.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If concentrated chemicals are used to reduce material handling and shipping costs, then shipping costs and material handling concerns are reduced, but the precision of dosing and mixing becomes more critical to avoid waste and ensure proper chemical application
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates flow sensors and control systems that continuously monitor and adjust chemical and fluid flow rates, providing real-time feedback to maintain precise dosing ratios. This feedback mechanism ensures accurate dispensing of concentrated chemicals, resolving the contradiction between using concentrated chemicals and maintaining dosing precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical dosing methods with automated electronic control systems, including microprocessors and control algorithms, to achieve precise dosing of concentrated chemicals. This substitution enables accurate control of chemical concentrations without manual intervention, resolving the precision challenge.
2Ease of operation
If automated fluid management systems are implemented to reduce labor intensity, then labor and equipment intensity are reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges multiple functions (chemical dispensing, fluid dispensing, mixing, and control) into an integrated automated assembly. By combining these functions into a unified system with shared control architecture, the patent reduces overall complexity while achieving labor reduction through automation.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system is designed to universally manage multiple dispensing devices and processes through a single integrated controller. This multi-functionality approach allows one control system to handle various chemical and fluid dispensing operations, reducing the need for separate control systems and thereby managing complexity.
3Productivity
If precise control of dispensing is implemented to optimize chemical usage, then chemical usage efficiency is improved, but the complexity of control systems increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates self-regulating features where the control system automatically adjusts dispensing parameters based on real-time sensor feedback without requiring complex external intervention. This self-service capability maintains high chemical usage efficiency while managing control system complexity through autonomous operation.
4Productivity
If equal amounts of chemical are drawn into the delivery device during dispensing, then continuous operation and productivity are improved, but the complexity of maintaining equal draw and dispense rates increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses flow sensors and control algorithms to continuously monitor and adjust the draw rate and dispense rate, providing real-time feedback to maintain equal rates. This feedback mechanism enables continuous operation while managing the complexity of rate control through automated regulation.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems for controlling chemical dispensing from a chemical delivery device include means for dispensing a chemical, wherein during dispensing an amount of the chemical from the chemical delivery device, the means for dispensing the chemical draws an equal amount of the chemical into the chemical delivery device as the amount of the chemical dispensed. Methods involve causing the means for dispensing a chemical to dispense the chemical. Means for dispensing a fluid and means for mixing the dispensed chemical and fluid are also used in connection with the means for dispensing a chemical. Means for controlling dispensing such as by means for linearly controlling dispensing, along with means for controlling a dilution ratio, means for coordinating dispensing, and means for individually controlling are also used in connection with these means for dispensing a chemical, means for dispensing a fluid and means for mixing.