Scale system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for measuring powder quantities, such as those used in preparing baby food, are prone to errors due to manual handling and miscounting, leading to inconsistencies in dosing.
Innovation Solution
A scale system with a base housing, weighing surface, and sensor that detects the mass of a powder container, providing real-time feedback on the quantity removed through a display device, ensuring accurate measurement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual scooping and counting is used to measure powder, then the operation is simple and quick, but the measurement precision deteriorates due to overfilling, underfilling, and miscounting errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical scooping and counting system with an automated electronic weighing system. The scale continuously monitors the powder mass and provides real-time feedback, eliminating the need for manual estimation and counting while ensuring precise dosage measurement.
Solution Approach 2:
The scale provides continuous real-time feedback on the powder mass during the scooping process. The display shows the current mass and can indicate when the target dosage is reached, allowing the user to adjust the powder amount dynamically to achieve precise measurement.
2Measurement precision
If scoop scales are used to control powder amount, then the measurement precision improves, but the device complexity increases and ease of operation deteriorates due to manual alignment requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The scale performs the measurement function automatically without requiring the user to manually align or calibrate the device. The weighing sensor continuously monitors the mass, and the system self-adjusts to provide accurate readings regardless of how the powder is added.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical alignment-dependent scoop scale system with an electronic weighing system that uses sensors to detect mass directly, eliminating the need for manual alignment and simplifying the operation while maintaining precision.
3Device complexity
If traditional measuring methods are used, then the device complexity remains low, but the reliability deteriorates due to inability to prevent dosing errors
Solution Approach 1:
The scale provides continuous real-time feedback on the powder mass, allowing the user to see exactly how much powder has been added. This feedback mechanism prevents dosing errors by making the measurement transparent and controllable throughout the process.
Solution Approach 2:
The scale can be set with a target dosage before the measurement begins. The system then monitors the powder addition in real-time and can alert the user when the target is reached or when an error is detected, preventing incorrect dosing before it occurs.
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 scale system reduces the risk of errors by providing precise measurements and alerts for incorrect dosing, ensuring the right amount of powder is used.
Implementation Method 1
a weighing sensor which detects a mass of the powder container filled with powder and/or a mass of the powder container with the remaining powder
Data Source
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AI summary
A scale system (10) for measuring a powder quantity is described, said scale system (10) comprising a base housing (20) for stationary placement, a weighing surface (30) movable relative to the base housing (20), and a weighing sensor (58) that measures the mass of a powder container (80) on the weighing surface (30). The scale system (10) comprises an evaluation device (50), which is designed to evaluate sensor data from the weighing sensor (58) and to generate output data. The scale system comprises a display device (90) which is designed to output the output data. According to the invention the evaluation device (50) is configured to determine during a stepwise removal of a partial mass from the weighing surface (30) the partial mass already removed by comparing the mass currently measured by the weighing sensor (58) with a previously recorded reference mass (110) prior to the removal. The evaluation device (50) generates output data on basis of the partial mass already removed and displays said output data on the display device (90), said output data reflecting the partial mass removed since the recordation of the reference mass (110) and said output data comprising a growing output value (100, 102) representing the removed partial mass.