Suction Lance Float-Based Fill Level Measurement for Dosing Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dosing systems for media, such as liquids in containers, lack the ability to continuously measure the fill level, only providing information when the container is empty, which limits efficient dosing and inventory management.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a float body within the suction lance that moves along its axial extension and actuates different switches of an electronic measuring system, allowing for continuous level measurement across the entire container height.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If only an empty message signal is provided when the container is completely empty, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision and information availability about the fill level deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The continuous fill level measurement range is segmented into multiple discrete measurement zones along the axial extension of the suction lance. Different switches are positioned at different heights to detect specific fill level thresholds, transforming a continuous measurement problem into discrete detectable segments that can be identified by the float body at different positions.
Solution Approach 2:
The float body acts as an intermediary element that translates the continuous fill level information into discrete switch actuation events. As the float body moves with the liquid level, it sequentially activates different switches, serving as a mediator between the liquid level and the electronic measuring system.
2Measurement precision
If multiple switches are arranged along the axial extent of the suction lance to enable continuous level measurement, then the measurement precision is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The float body serves multiple functions simultaneously: it follows the liquid level, actuates different switches at different positions, and provides continuous fill level information throughout the measurement range. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components for each measurement task.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the dynamic movement of the float body along the axial extension of the suction lance to enable fill level detection at any height. The float body's position changes dynamically with the liquid level, allowing the same physical component to provide measurement information across the entire range without requiring multiple stationary sensors.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the float body can move over the entire axial extent of the suction lance, then the adaptability and measurement range are improved, but the reliability and stability of the measurement system worsen due to increased exposure to harmful factors
Solution Approach 1:
The suction lance provides a protective enclosure that guides and protects the float body as it moves through the liquid. The lance structure shields the float body from external harmful factors while allowing it to move freely along the axial extension to detect fill levels throughout the entire measurement range.
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
Enables precise determination of the fill level at any point, allowing for optimized dosing and timely reordering of media, improving operational efficiency and inventory management.
Implementation Method 1
the suction lance has a float body, which is arranged to be movable along the axial extension of the suction lance between a base area of the suction lance and a head area of the suction lance
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4b
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The invention relates, among other things, to a system (10) for dosing media (14), comprising at least one container (13) for receiving a medium, a dosing device (17) having a pump (18), and a target vessel (23), wherein the medium (14) can be extracted from the container (13) and supplied to the target vessel (23) by actuating the pump (18) with the aid of a suction lance (12) that can be inserted into the container (13) and placed on a base (58) of the container. A particular feature is that the suction lance has a float (37) which is movably arranged along the axial extent of the suction lance between a foot region (63) and a head region (62) of the suction lance, and which actuates different switches (53a, 53b, 53c, 53d) of a measuring electronics (51) in different axial positions.