Parallel Link Water Dispenser for Lab Containers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing water dispensers struggle to perform stable and efficient water dispensing into containers of varying sizes and heights, such as beakers, flasks, and tanks, due to limitations in their design and usability.
Innovation Solution
A water dispenser equipped with a parallel link mechanism that allows the water dispensing gun to adjust its height without changing its posture, coupled with a solenoid valve and ultraviolet LED for sterilization, enabling flexible and precise dispensing into different containers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed-position nozzle is used, then the structure is simple, but it cannot adapt to containers of different sizes and heights
Solution Approach 1:
The nozzle is made movable through a parallel link mechanism that allows it to change height and position dynamically. The mechanism includes a movable arm with a motor that drives the nozzle along a guide rail, enabling adaptation to containers of various sizes and heights while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the nozzle height is changed by repositioning the entire dispenser, then adaptability is improved, but the operation becomes complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The dispenser is divided into a fixed main body and a movable nozzle assembly. Only the nozzle portion needs to be adjusted for height changes, while the main body remains stationary. This segmentation allows quick height adjustment by moving only the necessary component, greatly improving operational simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The manual repositioning of the entire dispenser is replaced by an automated motor-driven mechanism. The motor rotates a crank that moves the parallel link mechanism, automatically adjusting the nozzle height without requiring user intervention to move the entire unit.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If ultraviolet irradiation is added for sterilization, then hygiene is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ultraviolet LED sterilization function is merged with the existing nozzle structure. The UV LED is integrated into the nozzle body, allowing sterilization to occur simultaneously with water dispensing without requiring a separate sterilization device or additional operational steps.
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 stable and efficient water dispensing into various containers of different sizes and heights, while reducing viable bacteria through ultraviolet sterilization, improving usability and hygiene in laboratory settings.
Implementation Method 1
an ultraviolet LED disposed so as to irradiate the pure water flowing through the flow channel with ultraviolet rays
Data Source
AI summary
A water dispenser which is connected to a pure water source and used for dispensing pure water includes: an arm mounting unit; a water dispensing gun including a nozzle for discharging pure water; a holding unit for holding the water dispensing gun; and at least two arms connecting the holding unit to the arm mounting unit. The at least two arms constitute a parallel link mechanism in which a trajectory of each arm when the at least two arms move is within the same vertical plane.