Drop-By-Drop Fluid Nozzle and Pump Control for Consistent Metering

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fluid dispensing methods, such as using a plastics bottle for ocular vaccination, result in variable droplet size and number due to user-dependent pressure and angle, leading to inconsistent metering and difficulty in calculating vaccine requirements for large animal populations.

Innovation Solution

A device with a pump actuated by an actuating element, featuring a fluid channel tapering and a non-return valve, ensures defined droplet formation and size by controlling pump cycles, temperature, and inclination, with adjustable settings for droplet count and size, and includes a counter and display for precise dispensing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If manual pressure on a plastics bottle is used for dispensing, then the device is simple and easy to manufacture, but the droplet size and number vary due to user-dependent pressure and angle

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimplicity of deviceVSAvoidconsistency of droplet size and number

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the manual mechanical pressure system with an electric pump system. The pump is controlled by a control unit that regulates the dispensing of liquid drops, eliminating the variability introduced by manual pressure application. This substitution of mechanical control with an electromechanical system ensures consistent droplet size and number while maintaining ease of manufacture through the use of standard pump components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Manufacturing precision

If pump cycles are used to convey defined fluid quantity, then consistent droplet size and number are achieved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconsistency of droplet size and numberVSAvoidcomplexity of pump control system

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit implements a feedback mechanism that monitors the pump operation and adjusts the number of pump cycles based on temperature measurements and desired droplet specifications. The system measures the temperature of the liquid, determines the appropriate pump running time from stored data, and controls the pump to deliver the exact required quantity. This feedback loop ensures consistent droplet formation while managing device complexity through automated control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The control unit stores predetermined pump running times for different temperatures and droplet specifications before operation begins. When the pump needs to be actuated, the control unit simply retrieves the pre-calculated running time corresponding to the current temperature and droplet size requirements, eliminating the need for real-time complex calculations and simplifying the control process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Manufacturing precision

If temperature measurement and compensation are implemented, then dispensing accuracy is improved under varying temperatures, but the device complexity and energy consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccuracy of fluid quantity dispensingVSAvoidenergy consumption of temperature sensing and compensation

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system compensates for temperature effects by changing the operational parameter of pump running time based on measured temperature. The control unit stores multiple pump running time values corresponding to different temperatures. When the liquid temperature changes, the system selects the appropriate pre-determined running time from storage, maintaining accurate droplet dispensing without requiring complex real-time adjustments or additional energy-intensive heating/cooling mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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

Ensures consistent droplet size and number, minimizing variations, allowing for accurate and reproducible dispensing of fluids like vaccines or medicines, particularly suitable for ocular vaccination of animals.

Implementation Method 1

a pump (12) which is fluidically connected to the fluid connector (7)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPump: Pump

Implementation Method 2

the droplet formation is ensured, in particular, by the fluid channel tapering in the direction of the outlet surface since the second cross-sectional surface is smaller than the first cross-sectional surface

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid flow through tapered channel:

Data Source

PatentUS12514978B2Device for dispensing a fluid drop-by-drop

Publication Date: 2026.01.06 HENKE SASS WOLF

AI summary

A device for dispensing a fluid drop-by-drop can include a fluid connector to supply the fluid to be dispensed, a pump which is fluidically connected to the fluid connector, an outlet nozzle which is fluidically connected to the pump, an actuating element, and a control unit. When the actuating element is actuated, the control unit activates the pump which pumps the supplied fluid to the outlet nozzle for dispensing drop-by-drop. The outlet nozzle has an outlet opening and a fluid channel which extends as far as the outlet opening and which, in the direction of the fluid from the pump as far as the outlet opening, has a first channel portion with a first cross-sectional surface and a second channel portion with a second cross-sectional surface adjoining the first channel portion. The second cross-sectional surface can be smaller than the first cross-sectional surface.