Fluid Dosing Device Elastic Body Expansion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid measuring devices face challenges such as tube collapse in peristaltic pumps, scale formation in piston volumetric pumps, and accuracy issues in 'time/pressure' and flowmeter systems, along with concerns about mechanical part damage and operator safety due to fluid contact.
Innovation Solution
A fluid measuring device featuring a central body with a connection for suction and delivery ducts, an elastic body that expands to occupy a measuring volume, and a casing that defines an external chamber for precise measurement, while minimizing contact between the fluid and mechanical parts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If peristaltic pumps are used to measure fluids, then the system can handle various fluid types, but the tube collapses due to continuous pressure from pressing members, compromising measurement accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a peristaltic pump with a rigid or semi-rigid tube instead of a flexible tube, acting as an intermediary that maintains tube integrity under pressure while still allowing peristaltic action. This resolves the contradiction by preventing tube collapse (maintaining precision) while preserving the ability to handle various fluid types (versatility).
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a rigid or semi-rigid tube structure that replaces the traditional flexible tube, eliminating the collapse issue while maintaining the peristaltic pumping mechanism's ability to handle different fluid types through controlled deformation of the tube wall by pressing members.
2Power
If piston volumetric pumps are used to measure dense and viscous liquids, then high prevalence is achieved, but scale forms on mechanical parts, preventing correct fluid passage and affecting measurement accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the piston and chamber components that are prone to scale formation, replacing them with a peristaltic pumping mechanism using a rigid or semi-rigid tube. This eliminates the surfaces where scale forms, maintaining the ability to handle dense and viscous liquids while preventing measurement errors due to encrustations.
Solution Approach 2:
The rigid or semi-rigid tube can be designed as a disposable component that is replaced when scale or contamination occurs, eliminating the need for complex cleaning systems and ensuring continuous measurement accuracy without affecting the pump's prevalence capability.
3Quantity of substance
If 'time/pressure' measuring systems are used, then large volumes of fluid can be measured, but accuracy and precision are compromised due to inertia of checks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the electronic control system with inertia-based checks with a peristaltic pumping system that uses controlled mechanical deformation of a rigid or semi-rigid tube. This provides direct mechanical measurement of fluid displacement, eliminating the accuracy issues associated with electronic sensor inertia while maintaining the ability to measure large volumes.
4Quantity of substance
If flowmeter measuring systems are used to measure large volumes of fluid, then measurement capacity is achieved, but accuracy and precision problems arise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces flowmeter systems with electronic sensors and complex control algorithms with a simple peristaltic pumping mechanism using a rigid or semi-rigid tube. The measurement is based on direct mechanical displacement of a known volume, providing inherent accuracy and precision while maintaining the ability to measure large volumes through extended operation.
5Ease of operation
If mechanical parts are used in contact with fluids, then pumping and measurement functions are achieved, but damage to mechanical parts and risk to operators occur due to fluid contact
Solution Approach 1:
The rigid or semi-rigid tube acts as an intermediary between the pressing members and the fluid, providing a barrier that protects mechanical components from direct fluid contact. This eliminates damage to mechanical parts and reduces operator risk while maintaining the pumping and measurement functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The tube structure serves as a protective barrier that isolates the fluid from mechanical parts, preventing corrosion and damage while allowing the transmission of mechanical force for pumping. This can be combined with disposable tube designs that eliminate contamination risks entirely.
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 device achieves high precision and accuracy in measuring fluids with different chemical-physical characteristics, operates under sterile conditions, reduces risk of mechanical damage, and simplifies cleaning and sterilization.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic body which is expandable outside the containment portion between a first rest configuration, in which the elastic body adheres to the containment portion, and a second expanded configuration, in which the elastic body is expanded until it occupies the measuring volume of the external chamber
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The measuring device for a fluid to be measured comprises a central body (11, 11', 11") which in turn comprises a connection portion (11a, 11a', 11a") for connection to at least one suction duct (40) and at least one delivery duct (41) of the fluid, a containment portion (11b, 11b', 11b") which defines an internal cavity (5, 5") for a clearance volume (VN) of fluid and comprises a plurality of openings (112, 112', 112a", 112b") for the passage of fluid outside thereof, as well as a casing (13, 13', 13") mounted externally to the containment portion (11b, 11b', 11b"). An outer chamber (6) adapted to contain a measuring volume (VDOS) of the fluid is defined between the casing (13, 13', 13") and the containment portion (11b, 11b', 11b"). The measuring device further comprises an elastic body (12, 12', 12") fitted externally to the containment portion (11b, 11b', 11b") and retained for an annular portion (121, 121', 121 ") between the central body (11, 11', 11") and the casing (13, 13', 13").