Fluid Dispensing with Pump-Flow Meter Volume Verification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for dispensing bulk fluid products face challenges such as inefficiency, environmental impact, and inaccuracies in measuring and dispensing, particularly in refill systems, which are labor-intensive and lack scalability due to the need for manual weighing and standardized accuracy requirements.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing a positive displacement pump, flow meter, and controller to accurately measure and dispense fluid products into any container, ensuring precise volume control and automatic processing, reducing the need for scales and minimizing environmental waste by allowing refill into generic containers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If reusable containers are used in a refill system, then environmental impact is reduced, but the system becomes more complex requiring sanitization facilities and standardized container management
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the container from the refill system, allowing customers to use their own containers instead of provided reusable containers. This eliminates the need for container sanitization facilities and standardized container management while still reducing environmental impact through bulk dispensing.
Solution Approach 2:
The system accepts any container type from the customer, making the dispensing system universally compatible with various container formats. This multi-functionality approach simplifies the system by removing the need for specialized container handling infrastructure.
2Measurement precision
If manual weighing methods are used to measure fluid volume, then measurement capability is provided, but the process becomes labor-intensive and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual weighing methods with an automated pump-based dispensing system that directly measures and dispenses fluid volume. The pump system eliminates the need for scales and manual weighing operations, significantly reducing labor requirements and time while maintaining measurement accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically performs volume measurement and dispensing without requiring manual intervention for weighing operations. The automated pump system handles the entire dispensing process independently, improving productivity while maintaining precision.
3Ease of operation
If pre-packaged reusable containers are used, then refill capability is provided, but accuracy requirements for standardized weighing and measurement become more difficult to meet
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces imprecise manual weighing methods with an automated pump system that provides precise volume control. The pump-based system naturally delivers accurate measurements without requiring complex weighing infrastructure, making it easier to meet standardized accuracy requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates flow meters and controllers that continuously monitor and adjust the dispensing process to ensure accurate volume delivery. This feedback mechanism maintains measurement precision while simplifying the overall system operation.
4Measurement precision
If multiple steps for weighing and measuring are implemented, then measurement accuracy is improved, but the process becomes more time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple measurement and dispensing functions into a single integrated pump system. The flow meter and controller work together with the pump to simultaneously achieve accurate measurement and rapid dispensing, eliminating the need for separate weighing and measuring steps that would consume additional time.
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 provides accurate and efficient dispensing of bulk fluids, reducing waste and labor, while meeting regulatory standards for volume accuracy and streamlining the purchasing process through automated labeling and inventory management.
Implementation Method 1
a positive displacement pump in fluid communication with a reservoir and a dispenser. The positive displacement pump is configured to extract the fluid from the reservoir and transfer the fluid toward the dispenser
Implementation Method 2
a flow meter in fluid communication with the positive displacement pump. The flow meter is configured to measure a volume of the fluid extracted by the positive displacement pump from the reservoir and transferred toward the dispenser
Data Source
AI summary
The following disclosure relates to a system for dispensing fluid. The system includes: a positive displacement pump configured to extract fluid from a reservoir and transfer the fluid toward a dispenser: a flow meter configured to measure a volume of the fluid extracted by the positive displacement pump from the reservoir and transferred toward the dispenser; and a controller configured to compare a volume associated with a rate of displacement of the positive displacement pump with the measured volume of fluid by the flow meter. The controller is also configured to determine whether a difference between the volume associated with the rate of displacement of the positive displacement pump and the measured volume of fluid dispensed from the system via an outlet of the dispenser is less than a predefined threshold such as to provide an accurate volume of dispensed fluid from the system.