Automated flowable material dispensers and related methods for dispensing flowable material
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automated flowable material dispensers are often large, complex, prone to wear, and inconsistent in dispensing, leading to user frustration and waste, with issues in placement, actuation, and substrate absorption.
Innovation Solution
An automated flowable material dispenser with a solenoid valve assembly and biasing member, allowing for a compact design, consistent dispensing, and easy container replacement, featuring a solenoid valve assembly and electronic controller for precise control of dispensing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If automated dispensing mechanism includes numerous components (motor, drivetrain, pump), then dispensing capability is achieved, but device complexity increases and reliability decreases due to wear and failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the complex motorized drivetrain and pump components from the dispensing mechanism, replacing them with a simple solenoid valve assembly that directly controls material flow from the container. This eliminates multiple moving parts while maintaining automated dispensing functionality through electronic solenoid control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical pump and drivetrain system with an electronically controlled solenoid valve system. The solenoid uses electromagnetic fields rather than mechanical linkages to actuate the dispensing action, significantly reducing mechanical complexity and wear-prone components.
2Extent of automation
If automated dispensing mechanism uses pump and mechanical components, then flowable material can be moved, but reliability decreases due to wear and degradation over time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a solenoid valve assembly that can be easily replaced as a disposable or serviceable unit, eliminating the need to maintain complex mechanical pumps and drivetrains. The simple solenoid mechanism has fewer wear points and can be quickly swapped if failure occurs.
Solution Approach 2:
By substituting electromagnetic solenoid actuation for mechanical pump systems, the patent eliminates wear-prone mechanical contacts, seals, and moving parts that degrade over time, significantly improving long-term reliability.
3Manufacturing precision
If dispenser is configured to dispense consistent amount of material, then dispensing precision improves, but device complexity increases to ensure consistency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates sensors that detect the presence and position of the container, providing feedback to the control system to ensure consistent dispensing amounts. The solenoid valve operation is controlled based on this feedback to maintain precise dispensing without complex mechanical adjustment mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent achieves dispensing consistency by controlling the solenoid valve actuation parameters (duration, frequency, pressure) rather than through complex mechanical metering mechanisms. This allows precise control of material flow through electronic parameter adjustment.
4Area of stationary object
If dispenser design is compact for convenient placement, then ease of placement improves, but device complexity may increase to achieve compact integration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the container, solenoid valve assembly, and control electronics into a single integrated compact unit. The solenoid valve is positioned directly within the container assembly, eliminating the need for separate material transport mechanisms and reducing overall footprint while maintaining simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent nests the solenoid valve assembly within the container structure, with the valve integrated into the container wall or base. This nested arrangement allows the dispensing mechanism to occupy minimal space within the overall dispenser footprint without adding external complexity.
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 dispenser ensures consistent and efficient dispensing of flowable materials, allowing for even application and absorption by substrates, with improved user experience and reduced waste.
Implementation Method 1
The automated dispensing mechanism may include a motor, a drivetrain, a pump, a tube, and/or other components configured to move the flowable material from the container to the dispensing nozzle
Implementation Method 2
The biasing member may be configured to bias the flowable material container toward the solenoid valve assembly and to move the flowable material container from an unactuated configuration to an actuated configuration
Data Source
AI summary
An automated flowable material dispenser for dispensing flowable material from a flowable material container is provided. In one embodiment, the dispenser may include a dispenser housing configured to receive the flowable material container therein, a solenoid valve assembly positioned within the dispenser housing, and a biasing member configured to bias the flowable material container toward the solenoid valve assembly and to move the flowable material container from an unactuated configuration to an actuated configuration. The dispenser housing may define a dispensing opening along a bottom end of the dispenser housing and may be configured to move between an open configuration and a closed configuration. The solenoid valve assembly may be positioned above the dispensing opening and configured to control dispensing of the flowable material from the dispenser.