Portable Backpack Sprayer with Automated Mixing Chamber
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing portable spray devices for pesticides, insecticides, and fungicides face issues with inconsistent pressure leading to imprecise dosing, require manual dilution of concentrates, and involve complex cleaning processes, which can result in inaccurate application and user safety risks.
Innovation Solution
A portable backpack spray device with separate containers for a diluent and pesticide concentrate, featuring electric pumps, a flow meter, and a mixing chamber with a sieve to ensure a constant mixing ratio, eliminating the need for manual dilution and simplifying cleaning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If manual dilution of concentrate is performed by the user, then the device can be used with concentrated active ingredients, but the user may come into unwanted contact with the active ingredient and dosing accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the dilution function from the user's manual operation and transfers it to an automated system. The concentrate is stored separately in a reservoir and automatically diluted with water from a water tank through a mixing chamber, eliminating the need for users to manually handle and measure concentrates.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary dilution of the concentrate before application. The concentrate is pre-mixed with water in the mixing chamber at defined ratios, so that when the mixture is sprayed, the correct dosage is already prepared, eliminating the need for users to perform precise manual measurements.
2Stability of the object's composition
If pressure in the tank is kept constant using an electric pump, then spray pattern consistency improves, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the liquid delivery system into separate pathways for water and concentrate, each with its own pump. The first pump delivers water to the mixing chamber, while the second pump delivers concentrate to the mixing chamber. This segmentation allows independent control of each fluid stream, simplifying the pressure regulation mechanism for each.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates a control unit that receives signals from pumps and adjusts their operation to maintain constant pressure. The control unit monitors the spraying process and regulates pump operation to ensure consistent pressure and spray pattern, providing automatic feedback control.
3Stability of the object's composition
If tank is designed to be pressure-resistant for constant pressure application, then spray consistency improves, but tank weight and material requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the liquid storage into separate tanks: a water tank and a concentrate reservoir. Only the water tank needs to be pressure-resistant, while the concentrate reservoir can be simpler since the concentrate is delivered by a pump at controlled pressure. This segmentation reduces the overall weight and material requirements compared to a single pressure-resistant tank for both liquids.
4Manufacturing precision
If mixing chamber includes sieve with small mesh size, then mixing quality and dosing precision improve, but flow resistance and pump energy requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent specifies a mesh size parameter for the sieve in the mixing chamber in the range of 10 μm to 500 μm, with preferred ranges of 50 to 250 μm and most preferably 80 μm to 120 μm. This optimized parameter range ensures adequate mixing and dosing precision while minimizing excessive flow resistance that would require higher pump energy.
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 device provides precise and consistent application of active ingredients, reduces user exposure to hazards, and allows for easy switching between different active ingredients without complex cleaning, ensuring accurate dosing and compliance with regulations.
Implementation Method 1
a flow meter (2) for measuring the flow of the first liquid (11) from the first container (10) towards the spray nozzle (30)
Implementation Method 2
a first (15) and a second (25) electrically operated pump for conveying the first and the second liquid from their containers towards the spray nozzle (30)
Implementation Method 3
a mixing chamber (80) with an inlet for the first liquid, an inlet for the second liquid and an outlet for a mixture of the first and second liquid
Implementation Method 4
the mixing chamber (80) comprises a sieve with a mesh size in the range of 10 μm to 500 μm, more preferably 50 to 250 μm, most preferably 80 μm to 120 μm, through which the second liquid is forced into the first liquid
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
The invention relates to the application of liquid active substances with the aid of a portable spray device. The subject matter of the present invention is a portable device for applying active substances, and a method for applying active substances with the aid of a portable spray device.