Liquid Dispenser Sensor Unit With Vacuum Reservoir Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sensor units for liquid dispensers do not facilitate a reliable and secure exchange of liquid reservoirs, often leading to unintentional detachment or improper handling.
Innovation Solution
A sensor unit with an annular wall structure and a circumferential seal forms a pressure chamber with a vacuum mechanism to securely attach to the liquid reservoir, ensuring it remains attached until manually released.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a sensor unit is detachably mounted on the liquid reservoir using conventional methods (e.g., connecting rings with magnetic or mechanical fasteners), then the sensor unit can be exchanged between different liquid reservoirs, but the attachment is not secure enough and may detach unintentionally during handling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies pneumatic principles by creating a vacuum within the pressure chamber formed by the annular wall structure. The vacuum suction force generated by the pressure difference between the vacuum chamber and ambient atmosphere securely attaches the sensor unit to the liquid reservoir base, preventing unintentional detachment while allowing controlled exchange when needed
2Reliability
If the sensor unit is firmly attached to prevent unintentional detachment, then attachment security is improved, but the ability to easily replace the reservoir when empty is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic attachment characteristics where the vacuum seal provides strong holding force during normal handling, but the system allows controlled release when intentional detachment force is applied. The annular wall structure and seal design enable the attachment to transition from a secure state during use to an easily releasable state for replacement, balancing both requirements
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 vacuum mechanism securely holds the reservoir in place, preventing unintentional detachment and allowing easy replacement when desired, enhancing reliability and usability.
Implementation Method 1
together with the shell surface and the bottom section of the liquid storage tank, defines an isolated pressure chamber
Implementation Method 2
creating or increasing a vacuum when the reservoir is withdrawn, thus making removal more difficult
Data Source
Figure 1A~2D
Figure 3A~3C
Figure 4A~4C
AI summary
Sensor unit (10) for attachment to a liquid dispenser (100), wherein the sensor unit (10) is designed for interchangeable attachment to the base section (104) of a liquid reservoir (102). The sensor unit (10) has an annular wall structure (12) that surrounds a receiving chamber (16) for receiving the base section (104) of the liquid reservoir (102), the receiving chamber being closed at the bottom by a receiving chamber base (14). The sensor unit (10) has at least one sensor (23, 24, 25) for detecting the handling of the liquid dispenser (100). Various options are proposed for fastening the liquid storage unit in the sensor unit, in particular one option in which at least one inwardly pointing and radially displaceable clamping surface (50, 52, 54, 56, 58) is provided on the inside of the annular wall structure (12) for securing attachment to a shell surface (106) of the liquid storage unit (102).