Orbital Pump Liquid Metering via Pressure Profile Analysis

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Solution Overview

Problem

Orbital pumps used for metered liquid provision face challenges in precise control and operation, as the amount of liquid delivered is difficult to set and control effectively using standard operating variables.

Innovation Solution

A method involving an orbital pump with a pressure sensor and Hall sensor, where the pump's eccentric movement and pressure profile are monitored to determine the angular position, allowing for precise liquid delivery by identifying characteristic features in the pressure signal, such as sudden drops and peaks, to ensure accurate metering.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If an orbital pump is used for liquid delivery, then the pump can convey liquid effectively, but the quantity of liquid delivered cannot be precisely controlled based on operating input parameters

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveliquid delivery quantityVSAvoidcontrol precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies feedback by monitoring the pressure profile at the pump outlet and using characteristic features (peaks and valleys) to determine the angular position of the eccentric. This feedback loop allows the control unit to adjust operating parameters based on actual pump performance, enabling precise control of liquid delivery quantity despite the inherent difficulties of controlling orbital pumps with standard input parameters alone.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Measurement precision

If the angular position of the eccentric is monitored using only a Hall sensor, then changes in angular position can be detected, but the absolute angular position cannot be determined accurately

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveangular position detectionVSAvoidabsolute position information
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses the pressure profile as an intermediary to determine the absolute angular position of the eccentric. The characteristic features in the pressure profile (peaks and valleys) serve as reference points that provide absolute position information. This intermediary measurement method complements the Hall sensor's ability to detect angular changes, together providing complete angular position information without losing absolute position data.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 method enables precise control and metering of liquid delivery, ensuring consistent and reliable operation of the pump, even under varying pressure conditions, thereby improving the accuracy and reliability of liquid provision.

Implementation Method 1

The pump has at least one Hall sensor that can detect changes in the angular position of the eccentric

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHall effect: Hall Effect

Implementation Method 2

Monitoring the pressure profile at the pump outlet over time during pumping using at least one pressure sensor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure detection:

Data Source

PatentEP3262300B1Method of operating a device for the provision of a liquid dosage
Publication Date: 2021.09.22 VITESCO TECHNOLOGIES GMBH
  • EP3262300B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3262300B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3262300B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for operating a device (16) for the dosed supply of a liquid, at least having at least one pump (1) for the delivery of the liquid, wherein the pump (1) has a pump housing (2) with at least one inlet (3) and at least one outlet (4), wherein an eccentric (5) is arranged on the pump housing (2) and wherein a deformable diaphragm (7) is arranged between the pump housing (2) and the eccentric (5), wherein the deformable diaphragm (7) and the pump housing (2) delimit at least one delivery path (8) from the at least one inlet (3) to the at least one outlet (4) and form at least one seal (9) of the delivery path (8), wherein, for the purposes of delivering the liquid, the at least one seal (9) can be displaced along the delivery path (8) by way of a movement of the eccentric (5). The pump further has at least one pressure sensor (10) which is connected to the outlet of the pump. According to the invention, a liquid is delivered by means of the pump (1) in step a) of the method. According to the invention, a time curve (12) of the pressure at the outlet (4) of the pump (1) is monitored during delivery by the at least one pressure sensor (10) in step b) of the method. According to the invention, an angle position (13) of the eccentric (5) of the pump (1) is detected using at least one characteristic feature (14, 15) of the time curve (12) at the outlet (4) in step c) of the method.