Hydraulic Control Opening for Sensor-Free Fluid Level Regulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing level control systems in fluid tanks, particularly in cleaning devices like dishwashers, require significant additional effort and equipment, leading to increased costs and susceptibility to malfunctions, as they often rely on sensors and complex mechanisms to maintain fluid levels, which can result in inefficient water usage and operational disruptions.
Innovation Solution
A device with a hydraulic control opening in a delivery line that automatically regulates fluid flow into the tank, preventing excessive loss by closing when the minimum level is reached and allowing flow back in when the level falls, thus maintaining the fluid level without sensors or moving components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If sensors and complex mechanisms are used to maintain fluid levels, then level control precision is improved, but device complexity and susceptibility to malfunctions increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the level control function from complex sensor-based systems and implements it through a simple hydraulic mechanism integrated into the delivery line. The control opening in the delivery line directly responds to fluid level changes without requiring external sensors or control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the fluid itself to control the delivery mechanism. When the fluid level drops, the reduced hydrostatic pressure automatically opens the control opening in the delivery line, allowing fluid to flow back and replenish the level, creating a self-regulating system.
2Reliability
If constant supply of water is provided to maintain device function, then operational reliability is improved, but water consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system establishes a feedback mechanism where the fluid level in the tank directly controls the delivery line operation. The control opening responds to level changes by allowing fluid to flow back when the level drops, creating a closed-loop system that maintains level without constant external supply.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of constantly supplying new water, the system recovers and returns fluid to the tank when levels drop. The delivery line allows fluid to flow back into the tank, recovering the fluid that would otherwise be lost and reducing the need for continuous water supply.
3Manufacturing precision
If cleaning fluid is drained away with separated dirt, then treatment effectiveness is improved, but fluid level in reservoir decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the treatment function with the level control function in a single integrated system. The delivery line with its control opening serves both to treat the fluid by separating dirt and to control the fluid level by allowing replenishment flow when levels drop.
Solution Approach 2:
The delivery line is designed to perform multiple functions: it conveys treated fluid away from the tank, allows fluid to flow back when levels drop, and provides a control mechanism for level regulation. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate level control equipment.
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
This solution provides a simple, cost-effective, and reliable level control that minimizes equipment complexity and water consumption, ensuring continuous operation of cleaning devices by maintaining the fluid level without sensors or moving parts, thereby enhancing functional reliability.
Implementation Method 1
A control opening is located in the control section, which is hydraulically connected to the fluid tank, in particular is arranged within the fluid tank or within a control tank hydraulically connected to the fluid tank
Implementation Method 2
The control opening is designed to prevent, at least to a large extent, fluid from flowing from the delivery line into the fluid tank when the fluid level in the tank exceeds a minimum threshold. Furthermore, the control opening is designed to allow fluid from the delivery line into the fluid tank when the fluid level falls below this minimum threshold
Data Source
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Figure 2
AI summary
The device (164) has a conveying line (182) comprising a control opening (188) hydraulically connected to pressureless fluid tanks (132, 144). The control opening prevents the fluid from flowing out of the conveying line and into the fluid tanks, when a minimum level (190) in the fluid tanks is exceeded. The control opening allows the fluid to flow out of the conveying line and into the fluid tanks, when the minimum level in the fluid tanks is fallen below. A control section (186) is arranged within the fluid tanks or within a control tank hydraulically connected to the fluid tanks. Independent claims are also included for the following: (1) a cleaning device comprising two cleaning zones (2) a method for controlling fluid level in a fluid tank.