Fruit Press Juice Extraction with Load-Cell Filling Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fruit press devices struggle to consistently fill bottles of varying sizes with juice without risking contamination from misdirected juice flows, as the distance between the container receptacle and the dispensing valve is predetermined by design, making it difficult to maintain consistent filling conditions.
Innovation Solution
A device with a load cell-supported holder and a level sensor controls a dispensing valve based on measurement signals to ensure consistent filling, using a telescopically displaceable outlet spout and an actuator to direct juice into the bottle, while monitoring the filling process with a control unit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the distance between the container receptacle and the dispensing valve is predetermined by design, then the device structure is simple, but it is difficult to maintain consistent filling conditions for bottles of varying sizes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the outlet spout telescopically displaceable relative to the container base. This allows the distance between the juice outlet and the bottle opening to be dynamically adjusted for different bottle sizes, while maintaining consistent filling conditions. The spout can extend or retract to match the required distance, providing adaptability without requiring complete redesign for each bottle size.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback control through load cells that measure the weight of the bottle during filling. The control unit receives signals from the load cells and automatically controls the dispensing valve to stop filling when the target weight is reached. This feedback mechanism ensures consistent filling conditions and prevents overfilling, while the level sensor provides additional feedback to monitor the juice level in the container.
2Reliability
If the dispensing valve is positioned at a fixed distance from the container receptacle, then the device is easier to manufacture, but juice flows may become misdirected causing contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The telescopic outlet spout allows the dispensing position to be dynamically adjusted to maintain optimal alignment with the bottle opening regardless of bottle size. This prevents misdirected juice flows that could cause contamination, while the telescopic mechanism itself is a relatively simple component that does not significantly complicate manufacturing.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit acts as an intermediary between the load cell measurements and the dispensing valve control. It processes the weight signals and automatically adjusts the valve operation to ensure precise filling control, preventing juice overflow and misdirection that could lead to contamination.
3Manufacturing precision
If weight-based filling control is implemented, then filling precision is improved, but additional measurement devices increase device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The load cells provide real-time weight feedback during the filling process, allowing the control unit to precisely control the filling volume. The feedback loop automatically stops filling when the target weight is reached, ensuring high precision without requiring complex manual measurement procedures. The level sensor adds another layer of feedback to prevent overfilling.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual filling and measurement methods with an automated electronic control system. The load cells and control unit substitute for manual weighing and volume measurement, providing precise filling control through electronic feedback rather than mechanical adjustment mechanisms.
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
Ensures consistent filling of bottles of all sizes by accurately determining the filling volume and preventing overfilling, thereby preventing contamination from misdirected juice flows.
Implementation Method 1
the container holder is supported by at least one load cell, allowing the respective filling volume to be determined based on weight measurement
Implementation Method 2
This level sensor, which can be a capacitive distance sensor, for example, detects the remaining fill height above the already filled volume of juice
Data Source
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AI summary
A device for extracting juice from a juice container (1) of a fruit press is described, having an outlet (3) which is connected to the juice container (1), has a removal valve (6) and is located above a vessel receptacle (16). In order to provide advantageous structural conditions, it is proposed that the vessel receptacle (16) forms a holder (17) which receives a hanging bottle (15) by the neck thereof, is supported on at least one weighing cell (20) and is assigned at least one filling level sensor (21), and that the removal valve (6) can be activated by a control device (22), which is connected to an input unit (23), depending on the measurement signals of the weighing cell (20) and of the filling level sensor (21).