Membrane Dispensing Device for Precision Liquid Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for dispensing liquids, such as food products, face challenges including difficulty in cleaning due to complex constructions, slow operation, potential for liquid solidification, high maintenance needs, and inability to accurately dispense small quantities, especially in food processing where hygiene and precision are critical.
Innovation Solution
A device with a container and multiple dispensing openings connected by a membrane that can be displaced between sealing and open positions using a medium-filled control system, minimizing mass inertia and allowing for precise and high-speed dispensing of liquids, with features like heating and blending to maintain liquid consistency and reduce resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a complex construction with narrow feed channels, cylinders and pistons is used for dispensing liquid, then a predetermined quantity of liquid can be dispensed, but the device becomes difficult to clean and requires high maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the complex mechanical drive means (cylinders, pistons, narrow feed channels) from the dispensing system. Instead, it uses a flexible membrane that can be directly actuated by pressure variations from a medium-filled control system, thereby simplifying the overall device construction while maintaining dispensing precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the traditional mechanical piston-cylinder system with a membrane-based system actuated by pressure variations from a medium-filled control system. This substitution eliminates narrow feed channels and complex mechanical components, making the device easier to clean and maintain while preserving the ability to dispense precise quantities of liquid.
2Manufacturing precision
If alternating pattern of movement of the piston is used during dispensing, then a predetermined quantity of liquid can be dispensed, but the device functions slowly
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses periodic pressure variations from a medium-filled control system to actuate the membrane, enabling rapid and precise control of liquid dispensing. This periodic action allows the membrane to quickly transition between sealed and open positions, achieving both high dispensing speed and precise quantity control without the slow alternating piston movement.
3Quantity of substance
If large liquid storage capacity and high resistance channels are used, then liquid can be supplied to the dispensing opening, but accurate dispensing of very small quantities becomes impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the liquid supply system by providing individual liquid channels for each dispensing opening. This segmentation allows precise control of liquid flow to each opening independently, enabling accurate dispensing of very small quantities while maintaining adequate liquid storage capacity in the container.
4Reliability
If mechanical drive means are used to displace the membrane, then the membrane can be moved between positions, but the mass inertia increases reducing displacement speed
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces mechanical drive means with a medium-filled control system that uses pressure variations to displace the membrane. This substitution eliminates the mass inertia associated with mechanical components, allowing the lightweight membrane to be displaced at high speed between sealed and open positions while maintaining reliable positioning control.
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
Enables precise, high-speed, and efficient dispensing of liquids with minimal maintenance, reducing the risk of solidification and wear, and allowing for accurate dosing and decoration of substrates with improved hygiene and resolution.
Implementation Method 1
at least one membrane which connects onto the dispensing openings and which is displaceable between a first sealing position, in which the dispensing openings are covered by the membrane, and a second opened position in which the dispensing openings are left clear by the membrane. The device is also provided with a medium-filled control system which connects to the membrane such that the membrane is displaceable between the first and the second position by means of pressure variation on the medium.
Data Source
AI summary
Device and method for dispensing a liquid, comprising a liquid container; a plurality of dispensing openings connecting to the liquid container for controlled dispensing of the liquid to a substrate, and at least one membrane which connects onto the dispensing openings and which is displaceable between a first sealing position, in which the dispensing openings are covered by the membrane, and a second opened position in which the dispensing openings are left clear by the membrane, which device is also provided with a medium-filled control system which connects to the membrane such that the membrane is displaceable between the first and the second position by means of pressure variation on the medium.