Rotating Turret Fluid Dispensing System for Vaping Mixtures
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid dispensing systems for electronic cigarettes and other applications face challenges in efficiently managing and dispensing multiple fluids, including tangling and damage of fluid lines, limited user control over flavor selection, and large footprint requirements, which hinder efficient mixing and distribution.
Innovation Solution
A fluid management system with a turret assembly and actuation mechanism that rotates and translates to align nozzles with containers, coupled with a controller for precise fluid dispensing and recipe management, allowing users to select and create custom flavor mixtures within a compact footprint.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional fluid dispensing systems are used to dispense multiple fluids, then fluid mixing can be achieved, but fluid lines become tangled and damaged, reducing reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the fluid dispensing function into multiple independent nozzle units arranged in a grid pattern. Each nozzle can be independently actuated, allowing selective fluid dispensing without requiring complex fluid line routing. This segmentation eliminates the tangling and damage issues associated with traditional fluid lines while maintaining reliable multi-fluid dispensing capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a universal dispensing platform where a single nozzle assembly can handle multiple fluids through selective actuation. The system provides multi-functionality by enabling the same physical infrastructure to dispense different fluids based on digital control signals, eliminating the need for separate fluid lines for each fluid type and thereby preventing tangling and damage.
2Productivity
If large-scale fluid dispensing systems are implemented, then high throughput can be achieved, but the system occupies large space, increasing footprint
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from traditional linear or radial nozzle arrangements to a two-dimensional grid pattern. This dimensional change allows multiple nozzles to be packed more efficiently in a compact area, increasing the number of simultaneous dispensing points without proportionally increasing the system footprint. The grid arrangement maximizes space utilization while maintaining high throughput capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system merges multiple fluid dispensing functions into a single integrated nozzle assembly. By combining multiple nozzles and fluid handling capabilities into one compact unit, the system achieves high productivity without requiring the large spatial separation typically needed in traditional systems. The merged design reduces overall footprint while maintaining dispensing throughput.
3Manufacturing precision
If precise fluid alignment is achieved through complex positioning mechanisms, then dispensing accuracy improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The nozzle assembly is designed with self-aligning features that automatically position the nozzles relative to the container without requiring complex external positioning mechanisms. The system achieves precise alignment through inherent mechanical design characteristics such as guide rails, self-centering mechanisms, or container-attached alignment features, thereby maintaining manufacturing precision while minimizing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary positioning of the nozzle assembly before the actual dispensing operation. By pre-aligning the nozzles with the container in a separate preparation step using simple mechanical guides or fixtures, the system achieves precise dispensing accuracy without requiring complex real-time positioning mechanisms during the dispensing process itself.
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid management and dispensing system and method. The system is used to at least partially fill containers with fluids according to a recipe. The filled containers may then be used in conjunction with, for example, “vaping” devices (e.g., electronic cigarette devices) to provide desired flavors to a consumer. The system includes a rotatable turret assembly with nozzles, a rotational motor, and a linear actuator. A container to be filled is positioned at a delivery station. The system can actuate the rotational motor to rotate the turret assembly to a desired circumferential location. The system can actuate the linear actuator to translate the turret assembly to a desired lateral location. After a particular nozzle of the turret assembly is aligned with a container, the fluid can be dispensed into the container. The dispensing system may be connected to a network, which may provide recipes for the fluid mixtures.