Handheld Fluid Dispenser with Motor-Driven Plunger for Accurate Dosing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid dispensers for medicaments in agriculture face issues such as hand strain, inaccurate dosing, over-dosing, and lack of electronic recording, with existing solutions being bulky, cumbersome, or reliant on manual operation.
Innovation Solution
A handheld fluid dispenser with a variable volume chamber and dosing components, integrated into a single hand piece, featuring a plunger, motor, controller, and sensors that automatically adjust the volume based on animal weight, allowing precise dosing and electronic recording.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual applicators are used to dispense fluid medicament, then the device is simple and portable, but hand strain and fatigue occur when treating large numbers of animals
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical pumping system with an automated motor-driven pump. The motor is integrated into the handpiece and drives a piston or diaphragm to automatically dispense the fluid medicament through the nozzle, eliminating the need for manual pumping action while maintaining portability.
Solution Approach 2:
The handpiece is designed as a multi-functional integrated unit that combines the motor, pump mechanism, fluid reservoir, and dispensing nozzle into a single portable device. This allows the device to perform both automated dispensing and remain easily transportable by a single operator.
2Quantity of substance
If the applicator is set to suit heavier animals, then larger doses can be delivered, but over-dosing occurs and medicament is wasted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates an adjustable dosing mechanism that allows the operator to dynamically change the dispensing volume to match the specific weight category of each animal. The motor control system can be programmed with different dose volumes corresponding to different animal weight classes, enabling precise dosing for each individual animal rather than using a fixed dose for all animals.
Solution Approach 2:
The dosing parameter (volume dispensed) is made variable through electronic control of the motor-driven pump. The system allows adjustment of dispensing parameters such as stroke length, pump speed, or valve timing to precisely control the volume of medicament delivered, matching the dose to the animal's weight requirements.
3Measurement precision
If valves are designed to shut off fluid immediately, then dosing accuracy improves, but the applicator becomes too difficult to operate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual valve operation with an electronically controlled solenoid valve or motor-controlled pump shutdown mechanism. The controller precisely controls the timing of valve closure or pump cessation to achieve accurate dosing without requiring the operator to manually adjust valve settings or timing, thereby maintaining ease of operation while improving dosing precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates electronic control that monitors the dispensing process and automatically adjusts valve timing or pump operation to achieve precise dosing. The controller receives feedback from sensors or programmed parameters to optimize the shutdown timing, eliminating the need for manual adjustment while maintaining operational simplicity.
4Loss of information
If electronic recording systems are added to record animal identity and dosing information, then data tracking improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The handpiece integrates the electronic recording system as a multi-functional component that combines data acquisition (animal ID scanning), dosing control, and information storage into a single unit. The microcontroller serves multiple functions including motor control, valve timing, and data management, reducing overall system complexity despite adding recording capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses an intermediary microcontroller or microprocessor unit that acts as a mediator between the mechanical dispensing components and the electronic recording system. This intermediary handles both the precise control of the pump/valve for accurate dosing and the management of data recording, simplifying the integration of these functions while maintaining device manageability.
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 dispenser reduces hand strain, ensures accurate dosing by adjusting volume based on animal weight, and provides electronic recording, minimizing over-dosing and medicament wastage while being portable and ergonomic.
Implementation Method 1
a variable volume chamber with a plunger disposed within the chamber and a chamber inlet and outlet, the inlet and outlet communicating directly with a common chamber volume, wherein the plunger translates in a linear direction relative to the chamber along a common longitudinal axis
Implementation Method 2
a power source and a motor that drives translation movement of the plunger thereby causing a change in volume in the chamber
Implementation Method 3
at least one sensor for measuring a varied second or intermediate position of the plunger
Implementation Method 4
the at least one controller receiving a measured weight input based on the weight of an animal to which the fluid is to be applied and, controlling the volume expelled and from the chamber corresponding to the animal weight by varying the plunger position
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
Described herein is a dispenser for dispensing fluid that, integrated into one hand piece, comprises a variable volume chamber with a plunger disposed within the chamber and a chamber inlet and outlet. The inlet and outlet communicate directly with a common chamber volume and the plunger translates in a linear direction relative to the chamber along a common longitudinal axis to expel fluid from the chamber (expel stroke) and/or draw fluid into the chamber (drawing stroke). The plunger is linked to a controller, a power source and a motor that drives translation movement of the plunger. The dispenser described herein offers a variety of advantages over the art including accurate dosing without the user having the manually regulate the dose amount – the amount to be dosed is related to the volume of fluid in the chamber which can be pre-set or varied automatically using sensors and controllers.