Integrated Climate Module for Precise Formula Dosing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current dosing devices fail to accurately account for environmental conditions such as temperature, humidity, and air pressure when combining substances according to a recipe, leading to deviations in the final product's properties, especially for volatile or hygroscopic substances.

Innovation Solution

A dosing device equipped with a precision scale, climate module, and processor that measures and compensates for environmental parameters like air pressure, humidity, and temperature in real-time, allowing for dynamic adjustment of the dosing recipe to maintain precise mixing ratios.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If environmental parameters (temperature, humidity, air pressure) are measured and compensation calculations are performed, then dosing precision and recipe adherence are improved, but device complexity increases due to additional sensors and processing requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedosing precisionVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The climate module integrates multiple environmental sensors (temperature, humidity, air pressure) and the dosing scale into a single unified device with shared housing and power supply, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining measurement precision through coordinated sensing

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The processor performs multiple functions including raw signal processing from sensors, environmental compensation calculations, recipe management, and display control, eliminating the need for separate dedicated circuits for each function and simplifying the device architecture

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If climate parameters are continuously monitored and real-time compensation is applied, then product quality consistency is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduct quality consistencyVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs environmental measurements and compensation calculations at periodic intervals during the dosing process rather than continuously, maintaining product quality consistency while reducing overall energy consumption through duty-cycled operation of sensors and processor

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

Environmental parameters are measured and compensation factors are calculated before the actual dosing operation begins, allowing the system to prepare correction values in advance and minimize energy-intensive processing during the critical dosing phase

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of repair

If the climate module is detachably arranged in the weighing chamber, then ease of maintenance and calibration is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional connection interfaces

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of maintenanceVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of repairVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The climate module is designed as a detachable sub-assembly that can be removed from the weighing chamber for independent calibration and maintenance, while standardized connection interfaces minimize the complexity increase by providing plug-and-play connectivity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 precise adherence to the specified recipe by compensating for climatic conditions, reducing measurement errors and ensuring consistent product quality across varying environmental conditions.

Implementation Method 1

a climate module with an air pressure sensor, a humidity sensor and an air temperature sensor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure sensing:

Implementation Method 2

a climate module with an air pressure sensor, a humidity sensor and an air temperature sensor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHumidity sensing:

Implementation Method 3

a climate module with an air pressure sensor, a humidity sensor and an air temperature sensor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTemperature sensing:

Data Source

PatentEP3066431B2Dosing device comprising integrated weighing scales and climate module
Publication Date: 2023.09.06 SARTORIUS LAB INSTR GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3066431B2 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3066431B2 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3066431B2 patent drawingFigure 3~5

AI summary

The invention relates to a dosing device comprising: weighing scales having a weighing chamber (16); a processor (32); a climate module (34) arranged in the weighing chamber (16); a data transmission path via which data can be exchanged between the climate module (34) and the processor (32); and a mixture formula display (30). The invention also relates to a climate module for electrically coupling to a dosing device according to one of the preceding claims in a detachable manner, said climate module (34) forming a complete sub-assembly and comprising an air pressure sensor (62), an air humidity sensor (54), and an air temperature sensor (52), as well as a portion of a data transmission path via which data can be sent to a processor external to the climate module. The invention further relates to a method for dosing a formula using a dosing devise of this type, wherein, while dosing the substances to be combined, the surrounding conditions are detected and the mixing ratio is directly or indirectly adjusted based on said surrounding conditions.