Liquid Dispensing Apparatus Capacitance-Based Usage Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing liquid dispensing systems often reuse liquid discharging devices intended for single use, leading to potential contamination and inefficiency.

Innovation Solution

A liquid dispensing apparatus that includes a mounting unit, a driving circuit, and a capacitance measuring circuit to determine the operational state of the liquid discharging device by measuring capacitance, preventing reuse by only dispensing liquid from devices that have not been previously used.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a liquid discharging device is designed for single use to prevent contamination, then contamination prevention is improved, but device reuse is prevented leading to resource waste

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontamination preventionVSAvoiddevice waste

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system measures the capacitance value of the liquid discharging device and uses this feedback information to determine whether the device has been previously used. The controller compares the measured capacitance value against a predetermined threshold to automatically control whether the device can be reused or must be discarded, eliminating the need for manual inspection while ensuring contamination prevention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual inspection methods with an automated electrical measurement system. By substituting mechanical/visual inspection with capacitance measurement using the capacitance measuring circuit, the system achieves automatic detection of device usage status, improving both reliability and operational efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If manual inspection of liquid discharging devices is performed to determine usage status, then device management is simplified, but inspection time and labor are increased

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice managementVSAvoidinspection time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The liquid discharging device performs self-diagnosis by providing its own capacitance value to the measurement circuit. The device essentially inspects itself through the automated capacitance measurement, eliminating the need for external manual inspection while maintaining accurate usage status determination.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual inspection with automated electrical measurement. The capacitance measuring circuit automatically reads the capacitance value from the liquid discharging device, substituting human inspection with an automated system that provides instantaneous results without time loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Measurement precision

If capacitance measurement is performed to automatically determine device usage status, then inspection accuracy is improved, but measurement complexity is increased

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveusage status detection accuracyVSAvoidmeasurement system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses capacitance as a proxy indicator to represent the usage status of the liquid discharging device. Instead of directly measuring complex usage conditions, the system measures the capacitance value which correlates with usage state, simplifying the measurement approach while maintaining detection accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The system transforms the complex usage status determination into a simple parameter measurement by measuring capacitance value changes. By monitoring the capacitance parameter, the system can accurately determine whether the device has been used without needing to analyze complex operational histories or physical states.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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

Ensures the use of fresh liquid discharging devices, preventing contamination and improving operational efficiency by ensuring only unused devices are used for dispensing liquids.

Implementation Method 1

a capacitance measuring circuit configured to measure a capacitance value of the actuator and a controller configured to acquire the capacitance value, compare the capacitance value to a predetermined threshold value

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapacitance: Capacitance

Data Source

PatentUS11351563B2Liquid dispensing apparatus

Publication Date: 2022.06.07 RISO TECH CORP

AI summary

A liquid dispensing apparatus includes a mounting unit on which a liquid discharging device is mounted, a driving circuit to supply driving voltages to an actuator of the liquid discharging device mounted on the mounting unit, a capacitance measuring circuit configured to measure a capacitance value of the actuator and a controller configured to acquire the capacitance value, compare the capacitance value to a predetermined threshold value, and determine whether to supply a first control signal to the driving circuit to drive the actuator of the liquid discharging device to discharge a liquid based on the comparison of the capacitance value to the predetermined threshold value.