Multi-Vessel Liquid Injection with Independent Piston Stroke Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing liquid injection systems face challenges in efficiently and accurately supplying a liquid to multiple vessels simultaneously, requiring precise control over piston movement and varying measuring space dimensions, which is costly and difficult to achieve with traditional designs.

Innovation Solution

A liquid injection apparatus with synchronized pistons and stroke conversion mechanisms allows for simultaneous operation of multiple measuring units with a shared driving mechanism, enabling independent control of piston movement through spring-based connecting mechanisms and direct coupling, accommodating varying measuring space sizes for precise and efficient liquid delivery.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If multiple driving mechanisms are used for each measuring unit, then piston movement control precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepiston movement control precisionVSAvoidnumber of driving mechanisms
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention introduces stroke conversion mechanisms that independently adjust the stroke of each piston, segmenting the control function from the driving mechanism. This allows a single driving mechanism to control multiple pistons with different stroke requirements, reducing the number of driving mechanisms while maintaining precise control over each piston's movement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The stroke conversion mechanism acts as an intermediary between the driving mechanism and the pistons. It receives the driving motion and converts it into the required stroke for each measuring unit, enabling precise control without requiring separate driving mechanisms for each unit.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of manufacture

If measuring space dimensions are made uniform, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but precision in accommodating different liquid volumes is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing costVSAvoidliquid volume measurement precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The invention makes the piston stroke dynamic and adjustable through stroke conversion mechanisms. This allows the system to accommodate different liquid volumes by adjusting the stroke length rather than requiring different measuring space dimensions, thereby maintaining manufacturing simplicity while achieving measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the stroke parameter of the pistons to adapt to different liquid volume requirements. By adjusting the stroke length through the stroke conversion mechanism, the system can precisely measure and deliver different volumes without changing the physical dimensions of the measuring spaces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If multiple driving mechanisms are used, then operational independence of each measuring unit is improved, but spatial efficiency and cost-effectiveness are worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational independenceVSAvoidspatial efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The stroke conversion mechanism provides a universal solution that enables a single driving mechanism to operate multiple measuring units independently. Each measuring unit can be adjusted to its required stroke through the conversion mechanism, maintaining operational independence while improving spatial efficiency and reducing costs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Measurement precision

If high precision measuring spaces are manufactured, then liquid delivery accuracy is improved, but manufacturing cost and difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveliquid delivery accuracyVSAvoidmanufacturing difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The invention transitions from static precision (fixed measuring space dimensions) to dynamic precision (adjustable piston stroke). The stroke conversion mechanism allows precise liquid delivery by adjusting the stroke length rather than requiring high-precision manufacturing of the measuring spaces, significantly reducing manufacturing difficulty.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 approach enables rapid and accurate injection of liquid into multiple vessels, reducing the number of driving mechanisms needed, improving spatial efficiency, and maintaining high precision in liquid measurement and delivery, while absorbing manufacturing tolerances in measuring space dimensions, thus enhancing operational efficiency and cost-effectiveness.

Implementation Method 1

a first stroke conversion mechanism which is disposed between the first piston and the driving mechanism and independently converts the first stroke of the driving mechanism

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpring: Spring

Data Source

PatentEP4043728B1Device for supplying liquid
Publication Date: 2024.07.24 NAGANO AUTOMATION CO LTD
  • EP4043728B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4043728B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4043728B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A liquid injection apparatus (1) includes: a first measuring unit (10a) including a first measuring space (13a) inside a first cylinder (11a) and a first piston (12a) moving in the first measuring space (13a); a second measuring unit (10b) including a second measuring space (13b) inside a second cylinder (11b) and a second piston (12b) moving in a second measuring space (13b); a first dispenser (20a) that injects a liquid (19) into a first vessel (90a); a second dispenser (20b) that injects the liquid into a second vessel (90b); a driving mechanism (30) that operates the first piston and the second piston in synchronization; and a first stroke conversion mechanism (60a) which is disposed between the first piston and the driving mechanism, and independently converts a first stroke of the driving mechanism and transmits the converted first stroke to the first piston to control an amount of movement of the first piston independently of an amount of movement of the second piston.