Grip-Pressure Flow Control for Liquid Cleaning Dispensers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Users face inconvenience when using liquid cleansers due to uncontrollable outflow, leading to repeated squeezing and pouring, which reduces convenience and hygiene, especially with solid soap being less hygienic for storage.

Innovation Solution

A cleaning device with a main body housing, pressure sensors, and a flow controller that adjusts the flow limiting area of liquid outlets based on pressure signals, allowing users to control the outflow by gripping pressure, eliminating the need for repeated squeezing and pouring.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If liquid cleanser is used, then hygiene is improved compared to solid soap, but uncontrollable outflow causes repeated squeezing and pouring reducing convenience

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovehygieneVSAvoidconvenience
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The pressure sensor automatically detects user grip force and the flow controller automatically adjusts the flow limiting area accordingly, enabling the system to serve itself without manual intervention for flow control

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The manual mechanical squeezing action is replaced by an automated electronic control system comprising pressure sensors, control modules, and flow controllers that regulate liquid flow based on detected grip pressure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If manual squeezing is used to control liquid flow, then some control is achieved, but repeated squeezing and pouring increases time consumption

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovecontrolVSAvoidtime consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The flow controller maintains continuous liquid flow control as long as the user grips the device, eliminating the need for repeated start-stop squeezing actions and enabling continuous dispensing without time loss

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The pressure sensor provides real-time feedback on grip force to the control module, which continuously adjusts the flow limiting area to match user intent, creating a closed-loop control system that responds immediately to user actions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Device complexity

If simple liquid dispenser is used, then device complexity is low, but intelligence and controllability are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovestructureVSAvoidintelligence
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSExtent of automation

Solution Approach 1:

Basic mechanical dispensing is enhanced by integrating electronic pressure sensors, control modules, and flow controllers that provide intelligent automation while maintaining a relatively simple overall device structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The device autonomously controls liquid flow based on pressure sensor input without requiring external control mechanisms, achieving intelligence through self-regulating flow control

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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

Enhances user convenience and hygiene by allowing controlled liquid outflow, reducing waste and improving the intelligence of using cleaning liquids, while the device can be used for various cleaning tasks.

Implementation Method 1

one or more pressure sensors, arranged on the gripping portion

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure sensing:

Implementation Method 2

the control module is electrically connected to the one or more pressure sensors to drive the flow limiters and change flow limiting area of the flow limiters fitted with the liquid outlet, according to a pressure signal transmitted by the one or more pressure sensors

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFlow control through area adjustment:

Data Source

PatentEP3847935B1Cleaning device, and control method and device thereof
Publication Date: 2023.01.25 BEIJING XIAOMI MOBILE SOFTWARE CO LTD
  • EP3847935B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3847935B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3847935B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention is a cleaning device and a control method device thereof. The cleaning device comprises a main body housing, a cleaning liquid tank, a pressure sensor and a flow controller. By arranging one or more pressure sensor on a gripping portion of the main body housing and movably fitting flow limiters of the flow controller with liquid outlets of the cleaning liquid tank, a control module of the flow controller drives the flow limiter according to a pressure signal transmitted by the pressure sensor, so that the flow limiting area of the flow limiter fitted with the liquid outlet is changed. With the above structural arrangement, when gripping the cleaning device, a user can control the outflow of cleaning liquid by the pressure applied to the pressure sensor by hands during gripping, so that the liquid outflow meets the use requirement at one time. Accordingly, repeated squeezing and pouring are avoided, and the convenience and intelligence for the user in using the cleaning liquid are enhanced.