Isolation Mechanism Protects Load Cells in Chemical Dispensers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing chemical product dispensers face challenges in accurately measuring and controlling the dispensation of chemical products based on weight, particularly due to impact forces during loading, which can damage weight measurement instruments like load cells.
Innovation Solution
A chemical product dispenser with an isolation mechanism that lifts the product holder from a lowered position fully supported by load cells to a raised position fully supported by the isolation mechanism, unlocking a door for loading and reducing impact forces on the load cells.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the product holder is fully supported by load cells during loading, then accurate weight measurement is achieved, but impact forces can damage the load cells
Solution Approach 1:
The isolation mechanism is activated before loading the chemical product to raise the product holder to a raised position where it is supported by the isolation mechanism rather than the load cells. This preliminary action prevents impact forces from reaching the load cells during the subsequent loading operation, while still allowing accurate weight measurement when the holder is in the lowered position
Solution Approach 2:
The isolation mechanism acts as an intermediary between the product holder and the load cells. When activated, it transfers the support function from the load cells to itself, thereby protecting the load cells from impact forces while maintaining the ability to perform accurate weight measurements when needed
2Reliability
If the isolation mechanism raises the product holder to protect load cells, then impact protection is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The isolation mechanism is integrated with the existing door operation of the dispenser. The door's opening motion automatically activates the isolation mechanism through mechanical linkage, allowing the system to protect the load cells without requiring separate controls or additional user actions. This self-service approach minimizes the increase in operational complexity
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 isolation mechanism effectively protects load cells from impact forces during loading, ensuring accurate weight measurement and minimizing damage, while allowing for controlled dispensation based on weight changes.
Implementation Method 1
a cam operatively connected to the actuator, and a lift plate configured to engage with the cam wherein rotation of the actuator produces a corresponding rotation of the cam such that an eccentric portion of the cam engages the lift plate
Data Source
AI summary
A chemical product dispenser that controls dispensation of a chemical product based on a change in weight of the chemical product remaining in the dispenser includes an isolation mechanism. The dispenser includes a weight measurement instrument, such as one or more load cells, that measure the weight of the chemical product remaining the dispenser. The isolation mechanism is configured to lift the chemical product from a lowered position in which the weight of the chemical product is fully supported by the load cell(s) to a raised position in which the weight of the chemical product is fully supported by the isolation mechanism. When in the raised position, the dispenser may be loaded with a supply of chemical product with a reduced risk of damage to the weight measurement instrument.