Liquid product distribution assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing product dispensing devices lack a comprehensive system for selectively delivering liquid products to multiple sites within a building, often resulting in empty containers and inefficient supply management.
Innovation Solution
A product dispensing device comprising a set of reservoirs, supply lines, pumps, feeder lines, and communicators that allow for fluidic communication and demand-driven delivery of liquid products through outlet ports, with control modules and pressure gauges for efficient distribution and pressure regulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a comprehensive system with multiple reservoirs, pumps, and communicators is implemented, then product availability and supply management efficiency are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into multiple independent modules including separate reservoirs for different liquid products, individual pumps for each product type, and distributed communicators at various outlet ports. Each module can operate independently while contributing to the overall system function, allowing the complex system to be managed through modular components rather than a monolithic structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The communicators serve multiple functions by both detecting liquid demand requests from users and transmitting actuation signals to the appropriate pumps. The system architecture allows a single comprehensive system to handle multiple liquid products, multiple delivery locations, and both sensing and actuation functions through integrated components that perform multiple roles.
2Loss of substance
If demand-driven delivery with communicators and pumps is implemented, then product freshness and reduced waste are improved, but use of energy increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs communicators positioned at outlet ports that automatically detect when liquid is demanded and initiate the pumping action only when needed. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for continuous pumping or manual intervention, allowing the system to respond autonomously to user demands and deliver liquid products only when required, thereby reducing waste while minimizing energy consumption to pump operation times.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of continuous operation, the pumps are activated periodically only when liquid demand is detected by the communicators. This periodic action pattern allows the system to remain energy-efficient by keeping pumps inactive during periods of no demand while ensuring liquid products are delivered promptly when needed, thus reducing both energy consumption and product waste from stagnation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If selective delivery to multiple outlet ports is enabled, then adaptability to different building sizes is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The distribution system is segmented into multiple feeder lines, each connected to specific outlet ports in different locations. This segmentation allows the system to be configured for various building sizes and layouts by selectively activating or deactivating specific feeder lines and outlet ports, providing adaptability without requiring a complete redesign of the entire system.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates dynamic control through communicators and pumps that can be selectively activated based on demand. The dynamic nature of the system allows it to adapt to different building configurations and sizes by enabling or disabling specific delivery paths as needed, rather than requiring a fixed, static configuration for each building type.
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 that liquid products are nearly always available by enabling demand-based delivery and efficient supply management, accommodating various building sizes and reducing the need for frequent container changes.
Implementation Method 1
a set of pumps, to which a set of feeder lines is attached... each pump is in fluidic communication with at least one feeder line
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid product distribution assembly for on demand dispensing of liquid products includes a set of reservoirs, to which a set of supply lines is attached, a set of pumps, to which a set of feeder lines is attached, and a set of communicators. Each reservoir is configured to hold a respective liquid product and is in fluidic communication with at least one supply line. Each supply line is operationally engaged to a respective pump and each pump is in fluidic communication with at least one feeder line. Each communicator is positioned proximate to an outlet port of a respective feeder line and is in communicative engagement with an associated pump. The communicator is positioned to communicate a liquid demand request to the associated pump to actuate the associated pump so that an associated liquid product is delivered through the outlet port.