Device for determining a fill level of a container which can be filled with a liquid and/or a granulate, filling assembly for filling the container and use of the determined fill level to determine the amount of an additive to be added to the liquid and/or granulate
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for determining the filling volume of containers filled with liquids or granules are not accurate and efficient, often leading to overflow issues, especially when different container sizes are used, and require costly coding or recognition units.
Innovation Solution
A device utilizing a reflection light barrier with a beam source and sensor that can rotate to determine the fill level and geometry of containers, allowing for precise dosing and preventing overflow, regardless of container size, without the need for special coding or recognition units.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual interruption options are provided to prevent overflow, then user control is improved, but device complexity increases and operation becomes less automated
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses automatic recognition of container geometry and material properties to self-regulate the filling process, eliminating the need for manual intervention. The control unit automatically adjusts filling parameters based on sensor data about container size and material characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors filling progress using sensors that detect material level and container fill state, providing real-time feedback to the control unit which adjusts the filling process accordingly to prevent overflow without requiring user intervention.
2Measurement precision
If special containers with coding or recognition units are used, then container identification accuracy is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces complex mechanical or electronic recognition units in containers with optical sensors that read geometric and optical properties of standard containers. The sensor system detects container shape, size, and material properties using light reflection and transmission characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of requiring unique coding in each container, the system creates an optical 'copy' or model of the container's geometric and optical properties through sensor measurement, using this model to determine appropriate filling parameters.
3Productivity
If fixed filling volumes are used, then dispensing speed is improved, but adaptability to different container sizes decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts filling volume and rate based on real-time detection of container geometry and material properties. The control unit modifies filling parameters during the dispensing process to optimize both speed and adaptability to different container types.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes key filling parameters such as volume, rate, and pressure based on detected container characteristics and material properties, allowing rapid adaptation to different container sizes while maintaining high dispensing efficiency.
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
Enables accurate and cost-effective determination of filling volumes, allowing for individual filling based on container capacity, preventing overflow and eliminating the need for special containers with coding or recognition units, while supporting customer-specific billing through a customer card detection system.
Implementation Method 1
A device for determining a filling level of a liquid and/or a granulate in a container and/or a size of the container, having a reflective photoelectric sensor with a beam source and a sensor, the reflective photoelectric sensor being designed to move from the beam source into one opposite the reflective photoelectric sensor positionable opening of a container beam emitted holds a level of a liquid and/or granules in the container
Implementation Method 2
A device for determining a filling level of a liquid and/or a granulate in a container and/or a size of the container, having a reflective photoelectric sensor with a beam source and a sensor
Data Source
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AI summary
A device (112) for detecting the contents of a container (102) that can be filled with a liquid and/or granules (106) and/or for detecting the size of a container that can be filled has a reflective light barrier (116) with a beam source (122) and a Sensor (124), wherein the reflective light barrier (116) is designed to use a beam (126) emitted by the beam source (122) into an opening (110) of a container (102) that can be positioned opposite the reflective light barrier (116) to determine a fill level (118) of a liquid and/or a granulate (120) in the container (102) and/or the size of the fillable container.