Fluid Dispenser Gauge Ring for Level Visibility

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fluid dispensers, especially those with opaque or darkly colored reservoirs, make it difficult to visually determine the fluid level, as the texture of the outer surface or darkness obscures the fluid level inside, hindering easy identification.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a gauge ring that floats on the fluid and is guided axially by a guide tube within the reservoir, allowing for easy visual indication of the fluid level through transparent windows, including magnifying lenses, ensuring the gauge ring does not obstruct fluid dispensing and can indicate full or empty states.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Shape

If the reservoir is made opaque or darkly colored, then the aesthetic appearance is improved, but the fluid level becomes difficult to see

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaesthetic appearanceVSAvoidfluid level visibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The reservoir is segmented into opaque/darkly colored portions for aesthetic appearance and transparent windows for fluid level visibility. The reservoir includes at least one transparent window portion that allows the gauge ring to be observed, while other portions can be opaque or darkly colored to maintain aesthetic appearance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A gauge ring is introduced as an intermediary element that floats on the fluid and is visible through the transparent windows. The gauge ring serves as a mediator that provides fluid level indication without requiring the entire reservoir to be transparent, thus maintaining both aesthetics and functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Difficulty of detecting and measuring

If a conventional follower piston is used to indicate fluid level, then the fluid level can be indicated, but it moves with leaktight friction and may hinder dispensing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid level indicationVSAvoidfluid dispensing

Core Design Contradiction:

Difficulty of detecting and measuringVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The gauge ring utilizes buoyancy (anti-weight principle) to float on the fluid without requiring friction-based contact. The gauge ring is in leaktight contact with the guide tube but moves freely along it, guided axially without friction, thus indicating fluid level without hindering dispensing operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

Solution Approach 2:

A guide tube is introduced as an intermediary element that guides the gauge ring axially without friction. The guide tube receives the gauge ring and ensures it moves only along the axial direction, preventing it from hindering the dispenser outlet while maintaining smooth operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If the reservoir surface texture is modified, then the grip is improved, but the fluid level inside becomes harder to see

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovegripVSAvoidfluid level visibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The reservoir is segmented into different surface zones: portions with textured surfaces for improved grip and transparent window portions for fluid level visibility. The transparent windows are provided without obstructive textures, allowing clear observation of the gauge ring while other portions maintain textured surfaces for grip.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Measurement precision

If the gauge ring is freely movable in the reservoir, then it can indicate fluid level accurately, but it may close the outlet and hinder dispensing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid level indication accuracyVSAvoidfluid dispensing

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of allowing the gauge ring to move freely in all directions (which would hinder dispensing), it is constrained to move only in the axial direction through the guide tube. The guide tube inverts the freedom of movement concept by providing guided axial movement only, ensuring the gauge ring indicates fluid level accurately without blocking the dispenser outlet.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

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

Enables clear and accurate visual monitoring of the fluid level within the reservoir, facilitating easy use and preventing overfilling by allowing the user to see the gauge ring through designated windows, ensuring proper operation of the filling valve and vent passage.

Implementation Method 1

a gauge ring (19) that is engaged freely around the guide tube (21) and floats on or in the fluid (50) in such a manner as to indicate visually the fluid level in the reservoir

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBuoyancy: Archimedes' Principle (Buoyancy)

Data Source

PatentUS9366561B2Fluid product distributor

Publication Date: 2016.06.14 APTAR FRANCE SAS

AI summary

A fluid dispenser comprising:a fluid reservoir (1) that is transparent, at least locally; anda guide tube (21) that extends in the reservoir (1);the dispenser being characterized in that it further comprises a gauge ring (19) that is engaged freely around the guide tube (21) and that floats in the fluid in such a manner as to indicate visually the fluid level in the reservoir.