Liquid Dispensing Apparatus Use History Tracking

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing liquid dispensing systems often reuse discharging devices intended for single-use, leading to potential contamination and inefficiencies.

Innovation Solution

A liquid dispensing apparatus and system that includes a chemical liquid discharging device with a piezo jet method, where the use history of each device is tracked to prevent reuse by determining if the device has been previously used before discharging, ensuring single-use compliance and maintaining hygiene.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the discharging device is designed for single-use to prevent contamination, then hygiene and reliability are improved, but device complexity increases due to tracking mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovehygieneVSAvoidtracking mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a single-use discharging device that is discarded after one use to ensure hygiene and prevent contamination. The device includes a use history tracking mechanism that records whether the device has been used, and the controller prevents reuse by checking this history. This disposable approach with tracking ensures reliability while managing the complexity through automated monitoring.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a feedback mechanism where the controller checks the use history of the discharging device before allowing operation. The use history information is read from storage, and based on this feedback, the controller either permits or prevents device operation. This feedback loop ensures that only unused devices can discharge liquid, maintaining hygiene standards.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Productivity

If the discharging device is reused after single use, then productivity is improved, but contamination risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice utilizationVSAvoidcontamination
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a single-use discharging device that is discarded after one use to ensure hygiene and prevent contamination. The device includes a use history tracking mechanism that records whether the device has been used, and the controller prevents reuse by checking this history. This disposable approach with tracking ensures reliability while managing the complexity through automated monitoring.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies preliminary anti-action by preventing the harmful effect of contamination before it can occur. The controller checks the use history before allowing device operation and blocks reuse of previously used devices. This preventive measure eliminates the possibility of contamination from reused devices while maintaining productivity through proper device management.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

3Reliability

If use history tracking is implemented to prevent reuse, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesingle-use complianceVSAvoidtracking system
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a feedback mechanism where the controller checks the use history of the discharging device before allowing operation. The use history information is read from storage, and based on this feedback, the controller either permits or prevents device operation. This feedback loop ensures that only unused devices can discharge liquid, maintaining hygiene standards.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The discharging device automatically tracks its own use history through integrated sensors and storage mechanisms. The device self-monitors whether it has been used and provides this information to the controller without requiring external tracking systems. This self-service approach maintains reliability while minimizing additional complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 effectively prevents the reuse of previously used discharging devices, ensuring contamination prevention and maintaining the integrity of the dispensing process by only using devices that have not been previously used, thereby enhancing operational safety and efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

A liquid dispensing apparatus and system that includes a chemical liquid discharging device with a piezo jet method

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPiezo jet method: Piezoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentEP3447498B1Liquid dispensing apparatus and system
Publication Date: 2024.10.30 RISO TECH CORP
  • EP3447498B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3447498B1 patent drawingFigure 2~4
  • EP3447498B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

According to one embodiment, a liquid dispensing apparatus includes a base to which a liquid discharging device for discharging a liquid is to be mounted, an interface configured to communicate with an external device, a driving circuit to supply driving voltages to an actuator of the liquid discharging device, and a control unit configured to acquire a use history of the liquid discharging device from the external device through the interface, and cause the driving circuit to supply a discharge voltage to the actuator if the acquired use history indicates the liquid discharging device has not been used.