Dosing apparatus

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing metering devices lack the ability to accurately verify the proper execution of metering processes and obtain information about the conveyed medium, leading to potential inaccuracies in flow rate and medium type determination, especially with moving parts causing imprecise measurements and mechanical stress.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a heating element and temperature sensors in the metering device to detect temperature changes, allowing the measuring device to determine medium conveyance through the fluid line and transmit information to the control unit, enabling precise determination of flow rates and medium types without moving parts.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If moving parts are used in the metering device to convey medium, then the metering process can be performed, but measurement precision deteriorates due to mechanical stress and imprecise measurements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemetering process executionVSAvoidflow rate and medium type determination accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical measurement systems with a thermal measurement system. A heating element heats the medium in the fluid line, and temperature sensors detect temperature changes caused by medium flow. This thermal-based measurement method eliminates mechanical stress and contact wear, providing precise flow rate and medium type determination without the drawbacks of mechanical measurement systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the measurement parameter from mechanical displacement or force to temperature. By heating the medium and measuring temperature changes, the system obtains accurate information about medium conveyance, flow rate, and medium type without using mechanical measurement components that suffer from wear and imprecision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If moving parts are used in the metering device, then medium conveyance is achieved, but reliability deteriorates due to mechanical stress and potential failures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemedium conveyance capabilityVSAvoiddevice operation stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical measurement and detection systems with a thermal field-based system. The heating element and temperature sensors create a contactless measurement approach that eliminates mechanical wear, friction, and associated failures, significantly improving device reliability while maintaining medium conveyance capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Device complexity

If traditional measurement methods are used without temperature sensing, then device complexity is reduced, but information about medium conveyance is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement system structureVSAvoidmedium conveyance and flow rate information

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a thermal measurement system that uses a heating element and temperature sensors to detect medium conveyance information. This approach provides comprehensive data about flow rate and medium type through temperature changes, eliminating information loss while the electronic temperature sensing adds minimal structural complexity compared to sophisticated mechanical measurement systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 solution provides precise and reliable determination of medium types and flow rates, reduces mechanical stress, and allows for maintenance-free operation with fast response times, ensuring accurate metering processes.

Implementation Method 1

The heating element can apply thermal energy to the medium present in the fluid line

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal energy transfer: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

the at least one temperature sensor—in particular arranged at a distance from the heating element—can measure the temperature present there

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTemperature measurement: Thermistor

Data Source

PatentUS20230116564A1Dosing apparatus

Publication Date: 2023.04.13 HERBERT SAIER GMBH

AI summary

A metering device for metering and supplying media via a fluid line to at least one target apparatus, in particular to an industrial textile washing machine, wherein the metering device is connected to at least one container which is filled with a medium. The metering device has a control unit which, in order to carry out a metering process with the aid of at least one pump, causes a specific volume of medium to be removed from the container and a conveyance of this volume towards the target apparatus. The fluid line has at least one heating element and at least one temperature sensor connected to a measuring device, wherein, by way of the measuring device, with the aid of a measurement value output by the temperature sensor, information about a performed conveyance of the medium through the fluid line can be determined and transmitted to the control unit.