Inline Brix-Sensing Mixing Valve for Precise Fluid Ratio Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid mixing systems for soft drinks and other applications lack real-time, inline control over the mixing ratio of fluids based on Brix degrees, leading to inconsistencies in final product quality and potential for fraud detection.
Innovation Solution
A valve with an integrated optical sensor using the critical reflection angle technique for measuring Brix degrees, which allows for miniaturization, cost-effectiveness, and high reading speed, enabling real-time regulation of fluid flow rates and distinguishing between different drink types.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional optical refractometers are used for measuring Brix degrees, then measurement accuracy is maintained, but device complexity and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple optical functions (emitter, receiver, waveguide, and measurement) into a single integrated sensor unit. The optical waveguide integrates the emitter component housing, receiver component housing, and measurement prism into one element obtainable by injection moulding, eliminating the need for separate lenses and complex optical assemblies while maintaining measurement accuracy through the critical reflection angle technique.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and eliminates unnecessary optical components (lenses, complex mirrors) from the traditional refractometer design. By using the critical reflection angle technique with a simplified optical waveguide structure, the invention removes extraneous elements that contribute to device complexity while preserving the essential measurement function.
2Device complexity
If traditional optical devices with lenses are used, then comprehensive optical functionality is achieved, but miniaturisation and integration become difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The optical waveguide integrates the emitter component housing, receiver component housing, and measurement prism into one element obtainable by injection moulding, achieving miniaturisation and facilitating direct integration into the valve body for real-time inline measurement.
3Manufacturing precision
If real-time inline measurement is implemented, then mixing ratio control precision is improved, but response time requirements increase system complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor provides autonomous real-time measurement of Brix degrees directly at the mixing point, with the integrated valve and sensor system self-regulating the mixing ratio through feedback control without requiring external complex measurement systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a closed-loop feedback system where the optical sensor continuously measures Brix degrees of the mixed fluid and provides real-time signals to control the valve actuators, automatically adjusting the mixing ratio to maintain precise control based on the desired drink specification.
4Reliability
If conventional measurement systems are used, then system reliability is maintained, but ability to detect fraud and ensure quality consistency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The real-time feedback from the integrated optical sensor enables continuous monitoring and verification of the mixing ratio, ensuring consistent product quality and providing detectable signals for fraud prevention by comparing actual measurements against expected values for different drink types.
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 solution provides precise control over the mixing ratio, ensures consistent product quality, and allows for real-time fraud detection by accurately measuring Brix degrees in-line, even with carbonated beverages, and differentiating between drink types.
Implementation Method 1
Measurement through the critical reflection angle technique. This measurement methodology allows a high level of miniaturisation and integration
Implementation Method 2
the optical sensor works in the absence of lenses, since it exploits an optical wave guide directly obtained in a single element
Implementation Method 3
the geometry of the optical wave guide, which is also an integral part of the fluidic body, has been suitably studied in order to ensure a laminar flow that does not provide fluid stagnation areas
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention describes a valve for dosing and mixing two fluids comprising two respective inlet ducts, a double chamber for controlling the flows, at least one actuator configured to regulate the flow rates of the two fluids to be mixed, an electronic control unit and a Brix degrees optical sensor, arranged on the mixing duct of the mixture of the two fluids and operatively connected to the electronic control unit. The optical sensor is configured to send a measurement and control signal to the electronic control unit to drive the actuator so as to proportionally control the flow rates of the two fluids and, therefore, regulate the mixing ratio of the two fluids. The optical sensor is made in the shape of a casing provided with an inlet duct for mixing the two fluids exiting from the valve, as well as with an outlet duct for mixing the two fluids exiting from the optical sensor. Between the inlet duct of the optical sensor and the outlet duct of the optical sensor there is a measurement chamber provided with a plurality of optical components arranged to perform the optical reading of the Brix degrees directly on the flow of the mixture of the two fluids that passes through the measurement chamber.