Removable Fluid Container Verification for Contamination-Free Recycling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for recycling fluids from vehicle engines and closed circulation systems are inefficient, particularly in identifying and separating different types of fluids for appropriate recycling, leading to waste and resource inefficiency due to the high cost of synthetic oils and derivation from non-renewable resources.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus that utilize a processor, data obtainer, characteristic determiner, and fluid provider to verify the type and condition of fluids in removable containers by comparing actual characteristics with stored data using identifiers, ensuring appropriate recycling processes without mixing different fluids.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If fluid recycling is performed without verification, then processing speed is improved, but fluid contamination and recycling quality deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocessing speedVSAvoidrecycling quality
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary verification of fluid characteristics and container identity before recycling processing begins. The processor compares measured fluid characteristics against expected values stored in memory, and verifies container identifiers, to determine whether the fluid is suitable for recycling before the recycling process starts, preventing contamination while maintaining efficient processing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Measurement precision

If fluid characteristics are tested and verified, then recycling accuracy is improved, but processing time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverecycling accuracyVSAvoidprocessing time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs only the necessary verification steps - measuring key fluid characteristics and comparing them against expected values - rather than exhaustive testing. The processor determines suitability based on whether measured characteristics fall within acceptable ranges, providing sufficient accuracy for recycling decisions without excessive processing time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Ease of operation

If different fluid types are mixed, then processing simplicity is improved, but recycling effectiveness deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocessing simplicityVSAvoidrecycling effectiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses feedback from fluid characteristic measurements and container identifier verification to control the recycling process. The processor receives measured characteristics, compares them against expected values stored in memory, and uses this feedback information to determine whether to proceed with recycling, ensuring appropriate fluid handling without complex manual sorting.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

4Measurement precision

If container identity is verified using identifier, then fluid identification accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefluid identification accuracyVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses an identifier on the container as an intermediary to provide information about the fluid type and expected characteristics. The processor reads the identifier and uses it to retrieve expected characteristic values from memory, serving as a mediator between the container and the fluid verification process, improving identification accuracy without requiring direct complex analysis of the fluid itself.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3146252B1Apparatus and method
Publication Date: 2023.02.15 CASTROL LTD
  • EP3146252B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1b
  • EP3146252B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2c
  • EP3146252B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An apparatus comprising: an identity determiner configured to determine an identity of a removable fluid container; a characteristic determiner configured to obtain a first characteristic based on testing the fluid of the fluid container; a data obtainer configured to obtain a second characteristic based on the identity; and a processor configured to control a fluid provider to provide fluid from the removable fluid container based on the comparison of the first characteristic and the second characteristic.