Venturi Dispensing Control for Accurate Concentrate Dilution
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dispensing systems for industrial solutions face challenges in handling and diluting concentrated substances inaccurately and inconsistently, posing safety risks and inefficiencies due to user discretion in chemical mixing and storage requirements.
Innovation Solution
A dispensing system that includes a container filling apparatus with a Venturi body assembly, controlled by a pressure sensor and controller, to accurately and consistently mix additives with a base ingredient, such as water, and output the mixture to a receiving container, with features like data indicators and a controller to ensure proper dispensing conditions are met.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of stationary object
If concentrated substances are shipped in smaller portions, then shipping and storage space is reduced, but handling and dilution accuracy become problematic
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses automated sensors and controllers to perform the dilution process without manual intervention. The concentrate container automatically dispenses the correct amount of concentrate based on sensor feedback, eliminating the need for users to manually measure and mix chemicals while reducing storage space requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates sensors that monitor the dilution process and provide feedback to the controller. This feedback mechanism ensures accurate measurement and control of concentrate dispensing, maintaining precise dilution ratios even when working with small portions of concentrated substances.
2Adaptability or versatility
If users are responsible for mixing chemicals, then flexibility is increased, but safety risks and improper mixing increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system automates the chemical mixing process, with the concentrate container and dispensing system working autonomously to mix chemicals in the correct proportions. This eliminates user error and safety risks associated with manual chemical handling while maintaining the ability to dispense various solutions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an intermediary automated dispensing mechanism between the user and the chemicals. This intermediary system handles all chemical mixing operations, providing a safe barrier that prevents direct user contact with hazardous substances while ensuring consistent, safe mixing practices.
3Device complexity
If manual dispensing is used, then system complexity is reduced, but dosing accuracy and consistency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The concentrate container is designed to work autonomously with the dispensing system, automatically controlling its own dispensing operations through integrated sensors and controllers. This self-service capability achieves precise dosing accuracy without requiring complex external control systems or manual intervention.
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 system provides precise and consistent mixing and dispensing of substances, reducing safety risks and improving inventory management by ensuring accurate dosing and preventing misuse or theft, while optimizing storage and handling.
Implementation Method 1
As the additive is flowed through the vacuum manifold, vacuum pressure in the pressure manifold can be measured by a pressure sensor
Implementation Method 2
The container filling apparatus can include a vacuum manifold and a Venturi body assembly (VBA). The additive can be flowed through the vacuum manifold and into the VBA. In the VBA, the additive can be mixed with water or other base ingredient
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are disclosed to mix a base ingredient, such as water, with an additive, such as a cleaning concentrate. A dispensing system of the disclosure can include a container filling apparatus. The container filling apparatus can include one or more source containers that contain an additive to be mixed with water or other base ingredient. The container filling apparatus can include a vacuum manifold and a Venturi body assembly (VBA). The additive can be flowed through the vacuum manifold and into the VBA. In the VBA, the additive can be mixed with water or other base ingredient, and output to a receiving container. As the additive is flowed through the vacuum manifold, vacuum pressure in the pressure manifold can be measured by a pressure sensor. A controller can input pressure data from the pressure sensor over the course of a dispense event. Over the course of a dispense event, flow of additive can be varied or modulated based on the pressure data. The flow of additive can be provided, as controlled by the controller, in a sequence of pulses. The length of a pulse, in a dispense event, can be adjusted based on observed pressure data in prior pulses.