Liquid Supply Apparatus Air Venting Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional liquid supply apparatuses for endoscope reprocessing experience air entry into the supply conduit when the liquid feeding section is stopped, leading to uneven liquid discharge volumes due to reverse flow of liquid, which necessitates pre-ventilation to release air.
Innovation Solution
A liquid supply apparatus with a control section that measures elapsed time since the liquid feeding section stopped, operating it for a predetermined time to reverse-flow liquid back into the tank, ensuring air is vented and maintaining consistent discharge volume by adjusting preliminary liquid feeding time based on elapsed time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the liquid feeding section is stopped for a predetermined time before discharge, then air venting is achieved and liquid discharge consistency is improved, but the overall processing time increases and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary air venting action by operating the liquid feeding section for a predetermined time before actual discharge. This preliminary action removes air bubbles from the supply conduit, ensuring consistent liquid discharge volume and preventing discharge failures, while the control section optimizes this preliminary operation duration to balance reliability improvement with productivity maintenance
2Reliability
If the liquid feeding section operates continuously to prevent air entry, then liquid discharge consistency is maintained, but liquid returns to the storing tank by reverse flow and causes uneven discharge volume
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic operation of the liquid feeding section, alternating between operating states and stopped states. During stopped periods, liquid returns to the storing tank through reverse flow; during operating periods, the feeding section replenishes the supply conduit and discharges liquid. This periodic cycle prevents air accumulation while maintaining discharge consistency, with the control section optimizing the timing and duration of each cycle
3Measurement precision
If air venting process is extended to ensure complete air removal, then liquid discharge accuracy is improved, but the time required for air venting increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control section implements feedback control by monitoring the air venting process and adjusting the liquid feeding section operation duration based on detected conditions. The system determines when air venting is sufficiently complete and stops the preliminary operation at the optimal moment, ensuring accurate liquid discharge while minimizing the time required for air removal
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 ensures accurate and consistent liquid discharge without air bubbles, reducing the consumption and time required for air venting, enhancing the reliability of the liquid supply process.
Implementation Method 1
the liquid in the supply conduit returns to the storing tank, which allows entering of air into the supply conduit
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid supply apparatus includes: a storing tank configured to store a liquid; a supply conduit through which the liquid remained inside the supply conduit flows reversely into the storing tank by a predetermined amount over time, the supply conduit having a first end portion connected to the storing tank; a liquid feeding section which is arranged at the storing tank or the supply conduit, and which is configured to feed the liquid from the storing tank to a second end portion of the supply conduit; a time measuring section which measures an elapsed time from stop of the liquid feeding by the liquid feeding section; and a control section which is connected to the liquid feeding section and the time measuring section and which is configured to drive the liquid feeding section for a predetermined time based on a length of the elapsed time.