Electronic Dosing System with Pressure Feedback for Mosquito Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current dosing systems for mosquito control in limited environments are inefficient due to manual calibration difficulties, liquid wastage, excessive operator load, and safety risks from oily substances, leading to high costs and prolonged intervention times.

Innovation Solution

A dosing system with an electronically actuated pump, injector, and control unit that calibrates liquid dispensing, prevents dripping, and optimizes tank size, featuring a pressure limiting device and geolocation tracking for precise application, reducing waste and operator burden.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual pump control is used for liquid dispensing, then the system is simple to operate, but the dosing precision deteriorates making calibrated dispensing difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanual pump controlVSAvoiddosing precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the manual mechanical pump control system with an electronically actuated pump controlled by a microprocessor. The pump is actuated by electronic signals that precisely control the timing and duration of liquid dispensing, eliminating the imprecision of manual operation while maintaining ease of use through electronic interfaces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates a pressure sensor that detects when liquid reaches the dispensing point and sends feedback signals to the microprocessor. This feedback mechanism automatically stops the pump when the correct dose is delivered, ensuring precise dosing without requiring manual measurement or estimation by the operator.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Productivity

If larger liquid tanks are used to reduce filling frequency, then the number of fillings is reduced, but the operator load and injury risk increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefilling frequencyVSAvoidoperator load
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses a portable liquid container that can be dynamically exchanged or refilled without requiring the operator to carry excessive weight. The container design allows for efficient refilling procedures and includes features like ergonomic handles and balanced weight distribution to minimize operator strain during handling and movement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates automatic monitoring of liquid levels through pressure sensors and microprocessor control. When the liquid level is low, the system can automatically alert the operator or even initiate the refilling process, reducing the need for frequent manual interventions and minimizing the physical burden on operators.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Productivity

If the pump generates over-pressure for liquid exit, then the liquid can be dispensed effectively, but liquid wastage occurs after treatment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveliquid dispensing effectivenessVSAvoidliquid wastage
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The pressure sensor detects when liquid reaches the dispensing point and immediately sends a stop signal to the microprocessor, which cuts off the pump operation. This feedback mechanism ensures that liquid dispensing stops precisely when needed, preventing the continuous flow and over-pressure conditions that cause wastage in manual systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The electronic control system replaces the manual pump control that cannot quickly respond to stop dispensing. The electronically actuated pump can be precisely controlled to maintain over-pressure only during the exact dispensing window, then immediately release pressure to prevent drippage and wastage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Device complexity

If the nozzle is positioned in intermediate location on the tubular member, then the system structure is simplified, but correct treatment of some trap doors requires removing covers

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenozzle positioning structureVSAvoidintervention time
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses an extendable tubular member with the nozzle that can be dynamically adjusted in length and position. The tubular member can be extended to reach deeper into trap doors or repositioned as needed, allowing the nozzle to be placed in the optimal position for each specific treatment scenario without requiring structural modifications or cover removal.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The dispensing system is segmented into modular components including the tubular member, nozzle, and positioning mechanisms that can be independently adjusted. This segmentation allows flexible configuration of the nozzle position relative to the tubular member, enabling access to various trap door types without compromising the simplified overall structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 calibrated, waste-free dispensing of mosquito control products, reducing costs, improving operator safety, and optimizing treatment efficiency by minimizing tank size and intervention time while ensuring precise application and tracking of treatment areas.

Implementation Method 1

the pump causes an over-pressure of the liquid in the tubular member so as to allow the exit thereof through the dispenser

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOver-pressure generation: Pressure Increase

Implementation Method 2

oily pesticides forming a film on the water surface to be treated altering the surface tension thereof and thus preventing larvae and pupae from breathing above the water surface

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSurface tension alteration: Surface Tension

Data Source

PatentEP3406137B1Dosing device
Publication Date: 2021.10.27 COOP SOCIALE LA PIEVE SOC COOP ONLUS
  • EP3406137B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

Dosing plant (1) for dosing a liquid (L); the dosing plant (1) comprising at least one tank (20) for the liquid (L) ; a dispensing member (32) hydraulically connected to the tank (20) and supplied, in use, by a pump (40) electrically actuated and hydraulically connected to the tank (20) through a supply pipe (50) and to the dispensing member (32) through a dispensing pipe (52); a power supply device (60) is electrically connected to the pump (40) for the actuation thereof; a control device (70) being electrically connected to the power supply device (60) and electronically connected to the pump (40) in order to control the operation thereof; The dispensing member (32) comprises an injector (34) electrically connected to the power supply device (60) and electronically connected to the control device (70) in order to dose the liquid (L) in a calibrated manner and to optimize the use thereof.