Dispenser Vacuum Switch Dosing Pump Precision Dilution

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing dispensers lack precision in achieving accurate dilution rates and multiple product dispensing capabilities, particularly in critical applications like hospital disinfection, where incorrect dilution can render disinfectants ineffective.

Innovation Solution

A dispenser system incorporating a vacuum switch and dosing pump combination, with a venturi port and operator valves, allows for controlled dilution and multiple product dispensing by activating a control device to manage the flow of diluent and liquid product, enabling precise concentration control and multiple dilution rates.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If an aspirator is used to create vacuum and pull product into diluent stream, then the system is simple and easy to operate, but the dilution rate is not precise and dispensing accuracy is poor

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedispensing accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A vacuum switch is introduced as an intermediary device between the aspirator vacuum source and the dosing pump control system. The vacuum switch detects the vacuum level and triggers the dosing pump to dispense precise amounts of product, thereby achieving accurate dispensing without directly modifying the aspirator mechanism itself.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the purely mechanical aspirator-based dosing mechanism with a hybrid system that incorporates an electronically controlled dosing pump. The pump uses motorized control to precisely meter product delivery, substituting mechanical estimation with electronic precision while maintaining the simple aspirator vacuum source.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a simple aspirator system is used, then the device is easy to manufacture and operate, but it cannot achieve multiple dilution rates or dispense multiple products

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemultiple product capabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The dosing pump is designed with a multi-position valve system that can selectively connect to different product containers. This allows a single pump mechanism to dispense multiple different products by simply changing the valve position, providing universal functionality without requiring separate pumping systems for each product.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates a selectable vacuum source mechanism that can dynamically switch between different vacuum levels or sources. This dynamic capability allows the same basic system to achieve multiple dilution rates by adjusting the vacuum pressure, enabling versatility without manufacturing multiple fixed systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Productivity

If vacuum pressure is increased to improve product pickup, then dispensing speed increases, but dilution precision decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedispensing speedVSAvoiddilution precision

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The vacuum switch provides feedback about the vacuum level in the system. When the vacuum reaches a predetermined threshold indicating sufficient product pickup, the switch triggers the dosing pump to activate. This feedback mechanism ensures that product transfer is complete before dosing begins, maintaining precision regardless of vacuum pressure variations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary product pickup through the aspirator before the dosing pump activates. The vacuum switch monitors this preliminary action and only triggers the precision dosing phase after sufficient product has been transferred to the mixing chamber, ensuring that high-speed vacuum pickup does not compromise final dosing accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 system ensures accurate and precise dispensing of use solutions with adjustable dilution rates and multiple product capabilities, enhancing the effectiveness of disinfectants and improving cleaning outcomes in critical environments.

Implementation Method 1

The aspirator has a diluent inlet, a diluent outlet and a venturi port. Flow of diluent through the aspirator creates a vacuum

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVenturi effect: Venturi Effect

Data Source

PatentUS8286831B2Dispenser having vacuum switch controlled pump with bleed valve

Publication Date: 2012.10.16 ECOLAB USA INC

AI summary

A dispenser 10 creates a use solution. The dispenser 10 includes a diluent inlet for receiving a source of diluent. A first aspirator 38 is in fluid communication with the diluent inlet. An operator valve 27 controls flow of the diluent. A second aspirator 46 has a diluent inlet, diluent outlet and a venturi port. A vacuum switch 63 is operatively connected to the first venturi port and the flow of the diluent through the aspirator 46 creates a vacuum that activates the vacuum switch. A control board 69 is activated by the vacuum switch and a dosing pump 76 is activated by the control device 69. The dosing pump dispenses a liquid product into the diluent stream, wherein a use solution is made.