Damper-Based Flowmeter for High-Viscosity Liquid Dispensing Accuracy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional beverage preparation machines lack mechanisms to accurately measure the usage amount of liquid materials with viscosity higher than water, leading to inconsistent beverage volume and taste.
Innovation Solution
A material dispensing device comprising a pump, damper device with a buffer chamber and diaphragm, and a flowmeter to measure the liquid material output, which buffers and measures the liquid material flow, ensuring accurate volume control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional beverage preparation machines are used, then the preparation process is simple, but the measurement precision of liquid material usage amount is poor
Solution Approach 1:
A damper device is introduced as an intermediary component between the liquid material container and the beverage preparation system. The damper device includes a buffer chamber that temporarily stores liquid material and a diaphragm that transmits volume information to the control unit, enabling accurate measurement without complicating the overall system architecture
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical flow measurement mechanisms with a diaphragm-based volume detection system. The diaphragm deforms according to the volume of liquid material in the buffer chamber, and this deformation is detected by a sensor or transmitted to the control unit, substituting complex mechanical flow meters with a more reliable volume-based measurement approach
2Manufacturing precision
If manual beverage preparation is used, then the equipment cost is low, but the taste consistency and productivity are poor
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit receives volume information from the diaphragm and automatically controls the dispensing of liquid materials according to predetermined recipes. This feedback mechanism ensures that each beverage receives the exact required amount of ingredients, maintaining consistent taste while enabling automated high-volume preparation
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically measures and dispenses liquid materials based on the diaphragm's volume detection, eliminating the need for manual measurement and pouring. The beverage preparation machine performs the measurement and dispensing functions autonomously, improving both consistency and productivity
3Measurement precision
If liquid material with high viscosity is dispensed, then the beverage variety is rich, but the measurement accuracy and flow control are poor
Solution Approach 1:
The damper device performs preliminary action by filling the buffer chamber with liquid material before the actual dispensing process. The diaphragm is positioned to contact the liquid material in advance, so when the chamber is filled, the diaphragm automatically deforms to indicate the volume, eliminating the need for complex real-time flow control during dispensing
Solution Approach 2:
The measurement function is extracted from the flow control process. Instead of measuring flow rate during dispensing, the system extracts the measurement function to a separate buffer chamber filling stage, where the diaphragm measures the volume of liquid material stored, simplifying the overall control operation
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 solution enables precise control of liquid volume and taste consistency in freshly made beverages, reducing labor and training costs by automating the beverage preparation process.
Implementation Method 1
when a volume of the liquid material within the material buffer chamber exceeds a predetermined amount, the diaphragm deforms to protrude outward
Implementation Method 2
a pump, arranged to operably pressure liquid material whose viscosity is higher than water to push the liquid material forward
Implementation Method 3
a damper device, arranged to operably buffer liquid material flowing through the damper device
Data Source
AI summary
A material dispensing device for dispensing liquid material whose viscosity is higher than water, and a related material output volume detecting device and a related damper device are disclosed. The material output volume detecting device includes: a damper device arranged to operably buffer liquid material flowing therethrough; and a flowmeter arranged to operably measure the flow of liquid material outputted from the damper device. The damper device includes: a damper base having a material buffer chamber; a diaphragm covered on the material buffer chamber; a fastening element positioned on the diaphragm and having a hollow portion; and a restriction element, positioned on the fastening element, and arranged to operably restrain a degree of deformation of the diaphragm.