Fluid Dispensing Device with Segmented Pump and Pressurized Air Phases
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dispensing devices face challenges in accurately and precisely dispensing small amounts of fluid with high repeat accuracy.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a two-phase process where a pump initially dispenses the majority of the fluid, followed by a pressurized air phase using a buffer channel portion under positive pressure, with a dispensing valve alternately opening and closing to output the remaining fluid in a controlled manner.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a pump is used to dispense fluid continuously, then the dispensing speed is high, but the precision for small fluid amounts deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The dispensing process is divided into two distinct phases: a pump dispensing phase for high-speed bulk fluid delivery, and a pressurized air dispensing phase for precise small-amount delivery. This segmentation allows each phase to optimize for its specific function, resolving the contradiction between speed and precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically switches between two different dispensing mechanisms (pump and pressurized air) based on the required fluid amount. The transition from pump-driven flow to pressure-driven flow enables the system to adapt its dispensing characteristics to achieve both high speed for large volumes and high precision for small volumes.
2Device complexity
If a pump dispenses fluid directly to the output opening, then the process is simple, but the repeat accuracy for small amounts deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The dispensing channel is segmented into a pump dispensing phase and a pressurized air dispensing phase, with a buffer channel portion separating the two mechanisms. This structural segmentation enables the system to maintain simplicity while achieving high repeat accuracy through the coordinated action of both phases.
Solution Approach 2:
Pressurized air acts as an intermediary mechanism between the pump and the final fluid output. The pressurized air phase provides fine control over small fluid amounts, enhancing repeat accuracy without significantly complicating the overall system architecture.
3Manufacturing precision
If pressurized air is applied to the entire dispensing channel, then small fluid amounts can be dispensed precisely, but the energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
Pressurized air is applied only partially to the buffer channel portion containing the remaining fluid, rather than to the entire dispensing channel. This partial application of pressure achieves precise dispensing of small amounts while minimizing energy consumption by limiting the pressurized air's action to only where needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The dispensing channel is functionally segmented so that the pump handles the majority of fluid delivery (80-99%), and pressurized air handles only the remaining small portion. This segmentation reduces the overall energy required compared to using pressurized air for the entire dispensing process.
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 precise and repeatable dispensing of both large and small fluid amounts, achieving up to 90% of the target volume during the pump phase and ensuring high precision and efficiency in fluid output.
Implementation Method 1
a pump connected into the dispensing channel which pump is sucking the fluid to be dispensed via a supply opening of the dispensing channel from a fluid reservoir
Implementation Method 2
applying pressurised air to a buffer channel portion of the dispensing channel which is upstream of the output opening, which buffer channel portion is separated both from the output opening and from the pump and is filled with fluid sucked by the pump such that the buffer channel portion including a fluid buffer volume confined therein is placed under pressure
Data Source
AI summary
A dispensing device which has a dispensing channel extending between a supply opening and an output opening into the course of which a pump, a selection valve and a dispensing valve are connected. The selection valve is also connected to a pressurised air source. The dispensing device allows a dispensed output of a fluid, wherein a buffer channel portion is filled by the pump in a pump dispensing phase, to which buffer channel portion pressure is applied from the pressurised air source during a pressurised air dispensing phase such that a precise fluid output is subsequently possible by clocked actuation of the dispensing valve until the target fluid amount has been reached.