Dosing Device with Optical Empty Level Sensor for Pump Calibration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dosing devices face inaccuracies and measurement uncertainties in determining dosing volumes, particularly due to the lack of effective detection of medium absence in the delivery line, which affects the calibration and performance of the pump.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating an empty level sensor downstream of the pump to detect the absence of medium in the delivery line, transmitting a vacancy signal to the controller, which can generate warnings for low chemical levels and determine the pump's delivery rate for calibration purposes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If flow measuring devices (flowmeters) are used to determine dosing volumes, then measurement capability is provided, but inaccuracies and measurement uncertainties occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical flowmeters with an optical detection system. An optical sensor (light source and light receiver) detects the presence or absence of liquid medium in the delivery line by measuring light transmission or reflection properties, substituting mechanical measurement with optical measurement to eliminate mechanical wear and calibration issues.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an optical intermediary (light beam) as a mediator to detect medium presence. The light beam passes through or reflects off the medium, and changes in light properties indicate whether liquid is present in the delivery line, providing indirect but accurate measurement without direct mechanical contact.
2Device complexity
If no detection system is used, then device complexity is reduced, but inability to detect medium absence affects calibration and pump performance determination
Solution Approach 1:
The optical detection system uses the delivery line itself as part of the sensing mechanism. The delivery line transmits light and the medium's presence or absence modifies light transmission, allowing the system to self-diagnose medium presence without requiring separate complex sensing infrastructure.
3Measurement precision
If an empty level sensor is added downstream of the pump, then medium absence detection capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The optical sensor system serves multiple functions: it detects medium presence, determines pump delivery rate during calibration, monitors dosing volume, and provides feedback for control. This multi-functionality justifies the added complexity by consolidating multiple measurement needs into a single integrated system.
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
This solution provides more reliable information about the pump's performance and metered volumes, enabling precise dosing and compensation for temperature and aging-related influences, thus improving the accuracy and efficiency of the dosing process.
Implementation Method 1
The empty level sensor can be designed as an optical sensor... The empty level sensor can easily determine by the changed reflection or transmission behavior of the medium located in the delivery line, in contrast to the reflection or transmission behavior of air, whether there is liquid medium in the delivery line
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates, inter alia, to a dosing device (10) for conveying at least one medium (11a, 11b, 11c) along a conveying line (12) from at least one inlet (13, 18a, 18b, 18c) to at least one outlet (14, 42a, 42b, 42c) with the aid of a pump (15) which can be addressed by a controller (16). The special feature consists, among other things, in the fact that an empty level sensor (17) is provided downstream of the pump, with which an empty level in the delivery line can be detected.