Peristaltic Pump Dosing System for Viscous Liquid Precision
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Solution Overview
Problem
Viscous liquids like syrups are difficult to measure accurately due to varying viscosities, leading to inconsistent flavor strength and messy manual dispensing, especially when adding to small openings like carbonated water bottles.
Innovation Solution
A dosing system with a peristaltic pump and Hall Effect sensor to control the dispensing of viscous liquids, combined with an RFID system for tracking syrup characteristics and pre-defined dispensing schedules, ensuring precise and controlled dispensing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If manual dispensing of viscous liquids is used, then the device complexity is low, but the measurement precision and dispensing accuracy deteriorate due to varying viscosities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical dispensing with an automated peristaltic pumping system that uses controlled mechanical compression of a flexible tube to dispense viscous liquids. The pump applies precise rotational force to rollers that compress the tube in a controlled sequence, enabling accurate measurement and dispensing of syrups with varying viscosities without manual intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates sensors that automatically detect syrup viscosity and adjust dispensing parameters without user input. The Hall Effect sensor detects the position of the pump head relative to the tube, and the system self-regulates the pumping speed and pressure based on the detected viscosity, eliminating the need for manual calibration or adjustment.
2Ease of operation
If manual shaking of bottles is used to dispense remaining syrup, then the ease of operation is improved, but the manufacturing precision deteriorates due to uncontrolled syrup release
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual bottle shaking with an automated peristaltic pumping system that maintains consistent, controlled mechanical action on the dispensing tube. The pump's rotational rollers apply uniform compression forces, eliminating the uncontrolled variations introduced by manual shaking and ensuring precise dispensing accuracy throughout the entire syrup supply cycle.
Solution Approach 2:
The peristaltic pump provides continuous, uninterrupted dispensing action through its rotating rollers that continuously compress and release the tube in a smooth cyclic motion. This continuous controlled action replaces the intermittent, variable-force manual shaking, ensuring consistent dispensing precision from full to empty container without interruption or loss of control.
3Productivity
If high pumping speed is used to increase productivity, then the productivity is improved, but the reliability deteriorates due to effervescence and messy dispensing
Solution Approach 1:
The peristaltic pump operates through periodic cyclic compression and relaxation of the tube by rotating rollers. This periodic action creates controlled pulses of fluid movement rather than continuous high-speed flow, allowing the system to maintain high overall productivity while preventing effervescence through gentle, rhythmic dispensing that gives carbonated liquids time to settle between pulses.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts pumping parameters including roller speed, compression force, and pulse frequency based on syrup viscosity and desired dispensing rate. By changing these parameters in response to real-time conditions, the system maintains optimal reliability and control stability across varying productivity requirements, preventing effervescence even at higher dispensing speeds.
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
The system provides accurate and mess-free dispensing of viscous liquids, ensuring the right amount of syrup is added to achieve desired flavor strength, reducing waste and maintaining hygiene by preventing cross-contamination and effervescence.
Implementation Method 1
a peristaltic pump to push against the dispensing tube and to cause the viscous liquid to open the lower valve
Implementation Method 2
a Hall Effect sensor to measure the strength of a front sensor magnet of the pump and to determine the presence of the dispensing tube
Data Source
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AI summary
A dosing system including a dispensing tube to dispense a viscous liquid from a holding container to an output container, the tube includes an upper and a lower valve and a peristaltic pump to push against the dispensing tube and to cause the viscous liquid to open the lower valve.