Flow Meter Outlet Orientation for Pulsating Water Dampening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing detection devices for liquid flow in household appliances, particularly those integrated with vibration pumps, face challenges in accurately monitoring pulsating water flow due to the use of flexible tubes, which lead to stagnation and increased system dimensions.
Innovation Solution
A detection device comprising a flow meter with an impeller and conductivity sensor, designed to dampen pulsating water flow by optimizing the outlet orientation and integrating the sensor downstream, eliminating the need for flexible tubes and reducing overall dimensions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If flexible tubes are used to connect the detection device with the pump, then the device can accommodate pump pulsations, but the system dimensions increase and water stagnation occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the flexible tube from the system by integrating the pump directly into the detection device housing. The pump is positioned such that its outlet is in direct communication with the flow meter's measuring chamber, eliminating the need for intermediate flexible tubing while maintaining pulsation accommodation capabilities through the integrated design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the pump, detection device, and flow meter into a single integrated assembly. The pump housing is merged with the detection device housing, creating a compact unit where the pump outlet directly communicates with the measuring chamber, thereby eliminating separate flexible tube connections and reducing overall system dimensions.
2Reliability
If flexible tubes are used to connect the detection device with the pump, then the device can accommodate pump pulsations, but water stagnation occurs in the tube
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the flexible tube from the system by integrating the pump directly into the detection device housing. The pump is positioned such that its outlet is in direct communication with the flow meter's measuring chamber, eliminating the need for intermediate flexible tubing while maintaining pulsation accommodation capabilities through the integrated design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent ensures continuous water flow through the integrated design where the pump outlet directly communicates with the measuring chamber. This eliminates dead zones and stagnation areas that would exist in flexible tube connections, maintaining continuous useful action of water circulation without interruption or stagnation.
3Reliability
If the outlet is oriented parallel to the axis of rotation of the impeller, then the pulsating water flow is dampened, but the flow path becomes longer
Solution Approach 1:
The patent orients the outlet parallel to the axis of rotation of the impeller rather than radially outward. This dimensional change in outlet orientation allows the water flow to exit in the axial direction, taking advantage of the impeller's rotational axis alignment to naturally dampen pulsations while maintaining a compact flow path within the measuring chamber.
4Device complexity
If the flow meter and conductivity sensor are integrated, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision may be affected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the flow meter and conductivity sensor as separate functional modules within the same housing. The flow meter measures water flow through the measuring chamber while the conductivity sensor independently measures water conductivity in the outlet flow. This segmented integration maintains measurement precision by avoiding interference between sensing mechanisms while reducing overall device complexity through unified housing and coordinated operation.
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
Effectively dampens pulsating water flow, preventing stagnation and reducing system dimensions, while accurately monitoring water flow without the need for flexible tubes, enhancing operational efficiency and reliability.
Implementation Method 1
a flow meter (12) configured to be crossed by a flow of water
Implementation Method 2
detection means (26) configured to detect the rotation of the impeller (25) by detecting a variation occurring in the magnetic field generated by the permanent magnet (28)
Implementation Method 3
outlet (24) oriented parallel to the axis of rotation X-X of the impeller (25), configured to dampen the pulsating water flow generated during the operation of the vibration pump (100)
Implementation Method 4
a conductivity sensor (14) intended for being crossed by the flow of water
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
The detection device (10) is intended, in particular, for a household appliance. For example, the detection device (10) is intended for being connected to and/or integrated with a pump (100). The detection device (10) comprises a flow meter (12) that includes a hollow casing (18) internally defining a cavity (20) and comprising an inlet (22) configured to receive the flow of liquid into the cavity (20) and an outlet (24) configured to deliver the flow of liquid out of the cavity (20). There is an impeller (25) rotatably supported by the hollow casing (18) in the cavity (20) and configured to be rotatably driven by the flow of liquid around an axis of rotation (x-x). Detection means (26) are provided which are configured to detect a rotation of the impeller (25) and output a flow signal (S1) indicative of the rate of the flow of liquid as a function of the rotation of the impeller (25). The outlet (24) is radially spaced apart from the axis of rotation (x-x) of the impeller (25) .