Flow Rate Sensor Control for Chemical Dispensing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems for dispensing chemical products in swimming pool circulation circuits face issues such as overdosing due to reduced water flow, leading to waste and potential environmental damage, as they fail to adapt to different configurations and do not accurately detect stagnation or flow changes, resulting in unnecessary chemical product distribution.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that utilize flow rate sensors to conditionally activate dispensing devices only when a predetermined flow rate is met, inhibiting dispensing during low or zero flow conditions to prevent overdosing, and allowing for flexible adaptation to various hydraulic circuit configurations, ensuring accurate chemical product dosage based on real-time flow measurements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If dosing pumps continuously dispense chemical products based on detection probes, then water hygiene is maintained, but chemical product waste and overdosing occur during low flow conditions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater hygieneVSAvoidchemical product waste

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses flow rate sensors to provide real-time feedback on water circulation conditions. The control unit receives flow rate signals and adjusts dosing pump operation accordingly, enabling the system to adapt chemical dispensing to actual circulation conditions and prevent waste during low flow periods

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The dosing system transitions from static continuous dispensing to dynamic conditional dispensing. The dosing pumps are activated or inhibited based on real-time flow rate conditions, allowing the system to optimize chemical product usage according to varying circulation demands

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If dosing pumps operate during reduced flow conditions, then chemical product is distributed, but stagnation and overdose occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvechemical product distributionVSAvoidchemical product dosage accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

Flow rate sensors provide continuous feedback on actual water circulation conditions. The control unit compares detected flow rates against threshold values and adjusts dosing pump activation accordingly, ensuring chemical products are only dispensed when adequate circulation exists to prevent stagnation and ensure accurate dosing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces purely time-based or demand-based dosing control with flow-rate-based control. By using flow rate sensors and electronic control logic, the system achieves more precise control over chemical dispensing timing and quantity, substituting mechanical/timing-based dosing with sensor-driven intelligent dosing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Use of energy by moving object

If circulation pumps are turned off to save energy, then energy consumption decreases, but water stagnation occurs leading to detection errors

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoidflow detection accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

Flow rate sensors provide continuous monitoring feedback even when circulation pumps are in minimal operation or off. The control unit receives flow rate information and can distinguish between intentional pump shutdown and actual flow stagnation, preventing false detection errors while maintaining energy savings

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

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 significantly reduces chemical product waste and overdosing risks, maintaining water hygiene while minimizing maintenance needs and environmental impact, ensuring safe and efficient chemical dispensing in swimming pool systems.

Implementation Method 1

detecting, in a circulation hydraulic circuit, a flow rate value of water

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFlow rate detection:

Data Source

PatentUS10961129B2Adjusting method and system for dispensing chemical products

Publication Date: 2021.03.30 SEKO

AI summary

An adjusting method to adjust dispensing of at least one chemical product in a circulation hydraulic circuit having one or more branches (230, 240, 250), wherein at least one dispensing device (D1, D2, D3) is configured to dispense, when activated, at least one respective chemical product in the circulation hydraulic circuit. The method includes detecting liquid flow rates in respective branches of the circuit through respective flow rate sensor devices (F1, F2, F3). If a regular condition occurs, then an activation of the at least one dispensing device is enabled. If an error condition occurs, then an activation of the at least one dispensing device is inhibited for a restoration time (T), wherein at least one detected liquid flow rate causing the error condition is restored to a value not lower than a respective flow rate threshold value plus an additional inhibition time associated to at least one flow rate sensor device.