Compound Dispenser Control for Resuming Interrupted Dosing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dispensers for compound-containing containers face issues with interrupted applications, leading to chemical compound wastage and user dissatisfaction due to the inability to dispense the correct amount after interruptions such as battery depletion or user interaction.
Innovation Solution
A dispenser with a control unit that calculates and dispenses the missing amount of compound during an interrupted application run, using a sensor to detect push rod movement and a memory module to store and update the missing amount, allowing for seamless continuation of the application without waste.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the dispenser is designed to dispense a preselected amount of compound for one application run, then the dispensing process is simple and reliable, but the application cannot be resumed after interruption leading to compound wastage
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit stores the dispensed amount information in advance during the application process. When interruption occurs, this stored information enables the system to calculate the missing amount and resume dispensing from where it left off, rather than starting over or wasting compound.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor detects push rod movement and provides feedback to the control unit about the actual dispensed amount. This feedback mechanism allows the control unit to track the dispensing progress in real-time and calculate the missing amount after interruption, enabling precise resumption of the application.
2Loss of substance
If the dispenser tracks and calculates missing amount after interruption, then compound wastage is reduced, but the device complexity increases due to additional control unit functions
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit performs multiple functions: it controls the motor, stores dispensed amount information, calculates missing amount, and controls resumption of dispensing. By making the control unit multi-functional, the patent avoids adding separate dedicated components for each function, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically tracks dispensed amount, calculates missing amount, and manages resumption without requiring external intervention or complex additional subsystems. The control unit handles all these tasks internally, making the system self-sufficient and avoiding unnecessary complexity.
3Measurement precision
If the sensor detects push rod movement continuously, then the missing amount can be calculated accurately, but the energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor continuously detects push rod movement during the dispensing process, ensuring that dispensed amount information is tracked without interruption. This continuous detection provides accurate measurement data for calculating the missing amount after any interruption, maintaining measurement precision throughout the application.
Data Source
AI summary
A dispenser for compound-containing containers includes a receiving chamber for a container; at least one push rod displaceable relative to the receiving chamber; a motor for moving the at least one push rod; a control unit for controlling the motor; a main switch; an operation selection switch for setting a selected amount of the compound to be dispensed in one application run; and a sensor configured to detect movement of the push rod. The control unit is configured to store a missing amount of the compound when one application run is interrupted. The dispenser dispenses the missing amount of the compound when the main switch is actuated for finishing the interrupted application. If an application run gets interrupted, for example due to empty battery, the missing amount of the compound is dispensed instead of the preselected amount. This function allows the application to proceed without additional chemical or compound wastage.