A dispensing system for dispensing a solid substance being conductive in solution and an according method

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing dispensing systems for soluble solid substances fail to maintain a balanced concentration and stable quality of the solution over time, leading to inconsistent cleaning solutions in professional ware-washing machines.

Innovation Solution

A dispensing system with a circulation line and circulation pump that continuously or intermittently circulates the solution through a circulation line, ensuring a balanced concentration and stable quality by controlling the spraying of solid substances with water, measuring conductivity, and adjusting the operation of pumps and valves via an electronic control unit.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If solid substance concentrate is used for storage and transportation, then volume and weight are saved, but the substance must be brought into solution before use which requires additional devices and processes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestorage volumeVSAvoiddissolution device complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the dissolution function from complex mechanical devices and transfers it to the fluid dynamics of the dispensing system itself. The spray nozzle creates a mist that naturally dissolves the solid concentrate during the dispensing process, eliminating the need for separate dissolution chambers, agitation mechanisms, or heating elements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses its own dispensing operation to accomplish dissolution. The spray mist generated during normal dispensing serves dual purposes: delivering the cleaning solution and simultaneously dissolving the solid concentrate in the reservoir, making the system self-sufficient without external dissolution equipment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Object-affected harmful factors

If solid substance concentrate is stored remotely in a dispensing system, then health risks are avoided, but the solution concentration and quality become unstable over time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehealth risksVSAvoidsolution concentration stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The system maintains continuous or periodic spraying action that constantly dissolves fresh solid concentrate and mixes it into the solution reservoir. This continuous action prevents concentration stratification and degradation, ensuring stable solution quality over time while keeping the hazardous solid concentrate sealed in the remote reservoir.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates sensors that monitor solution properties and provide feedback to the control unit, which adjusts the spraying rate and duration to maintain optimal concentration levels. This closed-loop control ensures consistent solution quality despite variations in temperature, usage patterns, or reservoir levels.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Ease of operation

If spray means is used to dissolve solid substance, then the substance is brought into solution, but the concentration balance and solution quality deteriorate over time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedissolution easeVSAvoidsolution quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the spraying parameters including mist fineness, spray duration, and spray intensity based on real-time feedback from sensors. This dynamic control optimizes dissolution efficiency while preventing over-spraying that could cause concentration imbalance or foam formation, maintaining solution quality throughout operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 maintains a consistent and stable solution concentration, allowing for efficient and residue-free operation, continuous supply, and safe handling of solid substances, while ensuring the quality of the cleaning solution remains uniform and effective.

Implementation Method 1

bringing water from the water supply into contact with the solid substance being inside the first container and the second container such that an amount of the solid substance dissolves

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDissolution: Solvation

Implementation Method 2

a circulation line connected to the solution reservoir and a circulation pump for circulating the solution through the circulation line

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid circulation: Pump

Implementation Method 3

measuring means for measuring the conductivity of the solution inside the solution reservoir

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical conductivity measurement: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentEP2654546B1A dispensing system for dispensing a solid substance being conductive in solution and an according method
Publication Date: 2017.09.20 ECOLAB INC
  • EP2654546B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2654546B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

A dispensing system (10) for dispensing a soluble but solid substance (20) and a corresponding method for dispensing are provide, the dispensing system (10) comprises at least a first container (12) and a second container (14) for keeping a solid substance (20), a solution reservoir (36) for holding a solution (34), at least one spray line (24,26) allocated to each container (12,14) connected to a water supply, at least one spray means (22) allocated to each container (12,14), wherein the spray means (22) is connected to the corresponding spray line (24,26), for bringing water from the water supply (28) into contact with the solid substance (20) being inside the first container (12) and the second container (14) such that an amount of the solid substance (20) dissolves and the thus resulting solution (34) flows into the solution reservoir (36), means, preferably at least one level sensor (38), for measuring the filling height in the solution reservoir (36), measuring means (40) for measuring the conductivity of the solution (34) inside the solution reservoir (36), at least one first discharge line (42), through which the solution reservoir (36) is connectable to a first tank (44), at least one first delivery pump (46) for moving the solution (34) from the solution reservoir (36) through the f irst discharge line (42), and an electronic main control unit (66) for controlling the operation of the dispensing system (10).