Submerged Product Storage with Float-Regulated Water Level Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing storage devices for immersed products, such as plants and fresh herbs, require significant user attention for water level maintenance and are prone to overflow, leading to inefficiencies and losses, especially in commercial settings.
Innovation Solution
A storage device with a tank system featuring partitions and a float-regulated water supply and drainage system that allows for automatic water level management, accommodating products of different sizes and enabling partial manual drainage, reducing user intervention and ensuring consistent water levels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a simple tank with bottom support is used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the user must periodically check water level and manually maintain it, increasing user time loss and operational complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The tank is equipped with an automatic water level control system that includes a float valve mechanism. The float rises and falls with water level, automatically opening or closing the inlet valve to maintain optimal water level without user intervention. This self-regulating mechanism eliminates the need for periodic manual checking and maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The float valve system provides continuous feedback on water level conditions. As water level changes, the float responds immediately, triggering automatic valve opening or closing to correct the level. This closed-loop feedback system ensures consistent water level maintenance throughout operation.
2Extent of automation
If the tank is equipped with automatic water level control, then user monitoring is reduced, but the device complexity increases due to additional control mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The float valve mechanism is a self-actuating system where the float's buoyancy automatically controls the valve without external power sources, motors, or electronic controls. This mechanical self-service approach achieves automation while minimizing added complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The automatic control function is extracted from complex electronic or mechanical systems and implemented through a simple float valve mechanism. By removing unnecessary components and using only essential elements (float, valve, inlet pipe), the system achieves automation with minimal complexity.
3Quantity of substance
If the tank bottom is positioned at predetermined distance from support, then water storage capacity is maximized, but the device cannot accommodate products of different sizes effectively
Solution Approach 1:
The tank interior is divided into multiple compartments by vertical partitions at different heights. These segments create varying water levels in each compartment, allowing the system to accommodate products of different sizes. The segmentation enables flexible adaptation while maintaining overall water storage capacity through the cumulative volume of all compartments.
4Ease of operation
If manual drainage is provided, then water can be drained, but the drainage process requires user intervention and time
Solution Approach 1:
An automatic drainage system with sensor detection and automated valve control is implemented. The system preliminarily detects when drainage is needed and automatically initiates the drainage process through motor-controlled valves, eliminating the need for user intervention and reducing drainage time.
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 operates substantially automatically, preventing water overflow and maintaining optimal water levels, thus reducing user time and effort while accommodating various product sizes, ensuring efficient and consistent immersion conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a float (58), allowing regulation of the water supply (52, 56)
Implementation Method 2
the bottom (12) of the control compartment (23) is dug with an opening (59) for automatic drainage through a neck (60)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A storage device (1) comprises a member (10) which forms a vessel which is provided with partition walls (20) which extend over only a portion of the height of the vessel so as to delimit so-called main liquid retention compartments (22), retention means (70, 170) which are capable of retaining pots (80, 85) for receiving the products in relation to the member (10) so that products received in these pots can be at least partially submerged in liquid contained in the retention compartments, and liquid supply means (50, 52, 56, 57). According to the invention, this device further comprises control means (54, 58) which are capable of controlling the liquid supply means. The presence of these control means allows effective use of the storage device, while restricting the operations necessary for using it.