Variable Weight Float Liquid Level Control Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid level control devices for plants are limited in their ability to adjust to different water consumption requirements without increasing parts or cost, often requiring disassembly or multiple devices, and lack supervision-free operation.
Innovation Solution
A liquid level control device with a second float having a variable weight, modifiable through substances added or removed from an internal chamber, allowing cyclic control of liquid levels without electricity or pumps, and featuring a nozzle diameter greater than 2 mm to reduce blockages.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the second float has a fixed weight, then the device structure is simple and reliable, but the liquid level control range is limited and cannot accommodate different plant water consumption requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The second float is designed with a variable weight capability through an internal chamber that can have substance added or removed. This dynamic adjustment allows the float's weight to change based on the required liquid level control range, enabling the device to adapt to different plant water consumption requirements without changing the overall device structure
Solution Approach 2:
The weight parameter of the second float can be modified by adding or removing substance from its internal chamber. This parameter change enables the float to operate at different density thresholds, thereby expanding the controllable liquid level range while maintaining the same physical device structure
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple devices or disassembly is required to adjust for different plants, then the liquid level control can be customized, but the cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The second float with variable weight serves multiple functions: it can be adjusted to control different liquid level ranges for different plant types. This single component replaces the need for multiple specialized devices, as one float can be reconfigured to perform what previously required several different devices
Solution Approach 2:
The substance storage chamber is nested within the second float structure. This nested design allows the substance to be stored inside the float itself, enabling weight adjustment without adding external components or requiring disassembly of the device
3Volume of moving object
If a nozzle with smaller diameter is used, then the device is more compact, but blockages are more likely to occur
Solution Approach 1:
The nozzle diameter parameter is optimized to be greater than 2mm, changing the flow characteristics to reduce blockage likelihood. This parameter adjustment maintains device compactness while improving reliability by preventing particle accumulation that would occur in smaller diameter nozzles
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 adjustable liquid levels to accommodate various plants' needs with minimal parts and cost, maintaining reliability and operation without supervision, while preventing constant water saturation.
Implementation Method 1
a first float arranged in the first chamber such that the flow of liquid into the first chamber raises the first float and displaces air in the first chamber via the vent
Implementation Method 2
a second float arranged such that, in use, when the second float is in a first position, the second float positions the second closure member to close the vent to block air from flowing from the first chamber via the vent to escape to atmosphere
Implementation Method 3
air is trapped in the first chamber to maintain the liquid level in the first chamber at a level so as to maintain the first float in its second position
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a liquid level control device (20) for location in a vessel to control the liquid level in the vessel. The liquid level control device (20) comprises: a first chamber (22) including: an opening (26) to allow movement of liquid between the first chamber (22) and the vessel; a vent (28) to allow egress of air from the first chamber (22); and an inlet (30) connectable to a liquid source (34); a first flow controller including a first float (36) arranged in the first chamber (22) such that the flow of liquid into the first chamber (22) raises the first float (36) and displaces air in the first chamber (22) via the vent (28), the first flow controller including a first closure member (40) movable to selectively close and open the inlet (30), the first float (36) further arranged in the first chamber (22) such that, in use, when the first float (36) is at a first position when the liquid level in the first chamber (22) is at or below a first predetermined level, the first float (36) positions the first closure member (40) to open the inlet (30) to allow liquid into the first chamber (22) via the inlet (30), and when the first float (36) is at a second position when the liquid level in the first chamber (22) is at or above a second predetermined level, the first float (36) positions the first closure member (40) to close the inlet (30) to block liquid from entering into the first chamber (22) via the inlet (30); and a second flow controller including a second float (42) and further including a second closure member (46) movable to selectively close and open the vent (28), the second float (42) arranged such that, in use, when the second float (42) is in a first position, the second float (42) positions the second closure member (46) to close the vent (28) to block air from flowing from the first chamber (22) via the vent (28) to escape to atmosphere, and when the second float (42) is in a second position, the second float (42) positions the second closure member (46) to open the vent (28) to allow air to flow from the first chamber (22) via the vent (28) to escape to atmosphere, wherein the first and second floats (42) are arranged such that, in use, when the first float (36) is in its second position and the second float (42) is in its first position, air is trapped in the first chamber (22) to maintain the liquid level in the first chamber (22) at a level so as to maintain the first float (36) in its second position, and wherein the second float (42) includes a hollow body with an internal chamber (48) for storing a substance (54), the hollow body configured so that the internal chamber (48) is accessible from the exterior of the hollow body to permit addition and removal of a substance (54) into and from the internal chamber (48), the second float (42) configured to have a variable weight modifiable through selective addition and removal of a substance (54) into and from the internal chamber (48).