Liquid mixing device with electronic control of high dynamic regulation and operating method thereof
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional liquid mixing devices with manual control systems are inadequate in maintaining consistent water temperature and flow due to delays in sensor calculations and actuator responses, leading to potential thermal shocks and safety issues from pressure and temperature variations in water supply lines.
Innovation Solution
A liquid mixing device with an electronic control system utilizing high-dynamic ultrasound measurements for quasi-instantaneous flow and temperature determination, combined with proportional solenoid valves and an auxiliary temperature sensor to rapidly adjust flow and temperature parameters, ensuring precise regulation and safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional mechanical manual control systems are used for liquid mixing, then device complexity is reduced, but temperature and flow regulation precision deteriorates due to sensor calculation delays and actuator response delays
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical manual control systems with an electronic control system that uses ultrasound transducers for flow measurement and proportional solenoid valves for actuation. This substitution eliminates mechanical linkages and reduces response delays by using electronic signals instead of mechanical movements for control adjustments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses ultrasound transducers to create an acoustic copy or representation of the fluid flow state, measuring flow velocity through sound wave propagation time differences. This non-contact measurement method provides instantaneous flow data without the delays associated with traditional mechanical flowmeters.
2Speed
If conventional temperature sensors with thermal inertia are used, then manufacturing complexity is reduced, but temperature regulation speed deteriorates due to thermal inertia delays
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional temperature sensors with thermal inertia with ultrasound-based temperature measurement. The ultrasound transducers measure temperature through the speed of sound in the fluid, which varies with temperature, providing instantaneous readings without thermal mass delays.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the speed of sound in the fluid as an intermediary parameter to measure temperature. Instead of directly measuring temperature with a sensor that undergoes thermal changes, the system measures sound propagation time and calculates temperature from this intermediate measurement, eliminating thermal inertia effects.
3Speed
If proportional solenoid valves are used for flow regulation, then regulation dynamic response is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses proportional solenoid valves to replace traditional mechanical flow control valves. The solenoid valves are actuated by electronic signals from the microprocessor, providing rapid and precise flow regulation without the mechanical linkages and manual adjustments of traditional systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a closed-loop feedback system where the microprocessor continuously monitors flow measurements from the ultrasound transducers and adjusts the proportional solenoid valve positions accordingly. This feedback mechanism ensures accurate flow regulation while compensating for variations in supply pressure and temperature.
4Reliability
If manual control systems are used, then ease of operation is maintained, but reliability of temperature and flow stability deteriorates under supply line variations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements an automatic control system that self-regulates the mixing process without requiring manual user intervention. The microprocessor continuously monitors flow and temperature conditions and automatically adjusts the proportional solenoid valves to maintain stable output, making the system self-correcting and reliable under varying supply conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses continuous feedback from ultrasound flow measurements and temperature sensors to automatically adjust control valve positions. This closed-loop control ensures stable temperature and flow output even when supply line conditions vary, eliminating the need for manual adjustments while maintaining reliability.
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 device achieves immediate and precise regulation of water temperature and flow, effectively mitigating the risks of thermal shocks and ensuring user comfort by providing rapid responses to changes in supply conditions, even under extreme variations.
Implementation Method 1
uses the principle of ultrasound measurement, which enables performing a high number of measurements in a short time interval... The propagation speed of a sound wave in a specific direction and sense in a liquid depends on several factors, among them the liquid wherein it is propagated
Implementation Method 2
uses the principle of ultrasound measurement, which enables performing a high number of measurements in a short time interval, possibly being in the order of up to hundreds of hertz
Implementation Method 3
regulation of the partial flow of each one of them by means of high dynamic actuators which vary and adjust the flow of each and every one of the liquids individually... proportional solenoid valves
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a liquid mixing device which has a control system and electronic regulation, in charge of receiving the parameters set with respect to the liquid which is expected to be supplied by the tap or supply means whereto said device is connected and which acts on the regulation means of the different supply lines of liquids to mix to achieve said parameters, which has a high measurement and actuation dynamic thanks to measuring sections with ultrasonic transducers and proportional solenoid valves and a configuration and geometry of said measuring sections which allows having a multitude of reliable measurements per second.