Chemical Mixing Assembly With Flow Feedback to Prevent Overflow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing chemical dispensing devices lack the ability to automatically fill fluid containments with a predetermined ratio of chemicals and water, often resulting in overflow or inconsistent mixing.
Innovation Solution
A chemical dispensing device with a housing that is mountable on a support surface, fluidly coupled to a water source and two chemical sources, featuring a mixing unit that combines predetermined volumes of chemicals with water to produce a fluid mixture, dispensed through a controlled outlet to fill a containment without overflowing, utilizing a control circuit, flow sensor, and flow control valve to manage the dispensing process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If manual chemical dispensing is used, then device complexity is reduced, but mixing precision and consistency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses a flow sensor to detect fluid flow automatically and a control circuit to regulate the mixing process without manual intervention. The device self-regulates the dispensing of chemicals and water based on detected flow conditions, eliminating the need for manual operation while maintaining precise mixing ratios.
Solution Approach 2:
The flow sensor provides feedback to the control circuit about the fluid flow status. Based on this feedback, the control circuit adjusts the mixing process to maintain predetermined ratios of chemicals to water, ensuring consistent mixing precision through continuous monitoring and adjustment.
2Productivity
If continuous dispensing is used, then productivity is improved, but overflow risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flow sensor continuously monitors the fluid flow and provides feedback to the control circuit. When the fluid containment reaches capacity or flow conditions indicate potential overflow, the sensor signals the control circuit to stop dispensing, enabling continuous operation while preventing overflow through real-time feedback control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the dispensing operation based on real-time flow conditions. The control circuit can start, stop, or modulate the dispensing rate according to feedback from the flow sensor, allowing the system to adapt to changing conditions and maintain reliable operation without overflow.
3Stability of the object's composition
If simple mixing is used, then device complexity is reduced, but mixing ratio consistency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The flow sensor provides continuous feedback on fluid flow characteristics to the control circuit, which uses this information to maintain precise mixing ratios. The feedback mechanism ensures that the predetermined ratio of chemicals to water is consistently maintained throughout the dispensing process.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces manual mechanical mixing with an electronically controlled mixing process. The control circuit electronically regulates the flow of chemicals and water based on sensor feedback, substituting mechanical precision with electronic control to achieve consistent mixing ratios.
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
Ensures accurate and efficient filling of fluid containments with a predetermined chemical ratio, preventing overflow and allowing for customizable mixing of chemicals with water, suitable for various applications such as sinks and swimming pools.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing a control circuit, flow sensor, and flow control valve to manage the dispensing process
Implementation Method 2
the mixing unit mixes a predetermined volume of fluid from the first chemical source and the second chemical source with a predetermined volume of water from the water source to produce a fluid mixture
Data Source
AI summary
A chemical mixture dispensing assembly for automatically filling a fluid containment with a predetermined ratio of chemicals and water includes a housing that is mountable on a support surface such that the housing is positioned proximate a fluid containment. The housing is fluid coupled to a water source, a first chemical source and a second chemical source. A mixing unit is positioned in the housing and the mixing unit mixes a predetermined volume of fluid from the first chemical source and the second chemical source with a predetermined volume of water from the water source to produce a fluid mixture. The mixing unit dispenses a predetermined volume of the fluid mixture from the mixture outlet to fill the fluid containment with the fluid mixture.