Wash Solution Dispensing With Siphon Mixing for Stable Detergent Concentration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current car wash facilities face challenges in maintaining consistent wash solution concentration due to seasonal variations and pressure fluctuations, requiring manual adjustments and leading to inefficiencies and increased costs.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus with a system of tanks and valves that uses flow meters and siphons to control the ratio and timing of water and detergent chemical supply, ensuring a consistent detergent concentration, and a remote control system for automated adjustments based on seasonal needs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If manual adjustment procedures are used to change wash solution concentration for seasonal variations, then adaptability to different seasons is improved, but loss of time and increase in operational costs worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the wash solution concentration by automatically changing the flow rates of water and detergent chemical based on pre-programmed seasonal parameters. The control system modifies operational parameters in real-time without manual intervention, allowing the car wash facility to adapt to different seasonal requirements efficiently.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates flow meters that continuously monitor and provide feedback on the actual flow rates of water and detergent chemical. This feedback loop enables the control system to verify and adjust the mixing ratios automatically, ensuring accurate concentration maintenance without manual verification using measuring cups.
2Measurement precision
If manual verification measurements are conducted to check wash solution concentration, then measurement precision is improved, but productivity and operational efficiency worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces manual mechanical measurement methods (using measuring cups) with automated electronic flow measurement and control. Flow meters electronically monitor and record the exact volumes of water and detergent chemical, providing precise concentration verification without interrupting operations or requiring manual intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system acts as an intermediary between the mixing process and the verification process. It receives data from flow meters, calculates the actual concentration, and automatically adjusts the mixing ratios accordingly, eliminating the need for operators to manually sample and measure the wash solution.
3Adaptability or versatility
If pressure fluctuations in service water occur, then adaptability to varying water pressure is improved, but manufacturing precision of wash solution concentration worsens
Solution Approach 1:
Flow meters continuously monitor the actual flow rates of water and detergent chemical, providing real-time feedback to the control system. When pressure fluctuations cause deviations from the target concentration, the control system automatically adjusts the valve positions and pump speeds to maintain the correct mixing ratio, compensating for pressure variations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically responds to pressure fluctuations by continuously adjusting operational parameters. The control system modifies pump speeds and valve openings in real-time based on feedback from flow meters, ensuring that the wash solution concentration remains precise despite varying water pressure conditions.
4Manufacturing precision
If automated control systems are implemented to maintain wash solution concentration, then manufacturing precision is improved, but device complexity worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The control system performs multiple functions: it monitors flow rates, calculates concentrations, adjusts valve positions, controls pump speeds, and logs operational data. By consolidating these functions into a single integrated control unit, the system achieves high manufacturing precision without proportionally increasing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system is designed to be self-regulating, automatically adjusting the wash solution concentration without continuous operator intervention. The control system monitors its own performance through flow meter feedback and makes real-time corrections, reducing the need for complex manual control mechanisms and simplifying the overall system architecture.
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 reliable and automated control of detergent concentration, reducing manual intervention, maintenance costs, and ensuring consistent wash quality across seasons by precisely mixing and dispensing wash solutions.
Implementation Method 1
The second tank (7) is provided with siphon means (13) for conveying the wash solution into the first tank (8)
Implementation Method 2
The valve (6) is equipped with a nozzle member (not shown), which operates on ejector principle drawing in detergent from a chemical tank (9) via a pipe (10)
Data Source
Figure 1~3
AI summary
The invention relates to an apparatus (1) and a method for dispensing a wash solution, which is to be conveyed into a washing device, at a desired concentration of detergent chemical. The apparatus comprises a first tank (8) for a wash solution at a desired concentration. The tank includes elements (3, 5, 4, 6, 18, 19) for supplying the first tank with an aqueous solution of supply water and a detergent chemical, elements (2) for measuring the total amount of supply water, and elements (11, 12) for conveying the wash solution at a desired concentration from the first tank (8) into a washing device. The supply water passed through the measuring elements (2) is divided into partial flows along at least two lines (3, 18; 4, 19), which are provided with valve elements (5, 6) for adjusting the partial flows of supply water at a desired ratio between the lines. At least one line (4, 19) for the partial flows of supply water is connected to a detergent chemical supply (10) for conveying the detergent chemical along with water into the tank (8), and at least one second line (3, 18) is intended for the supply of plain water. The apparatus comprises at least one second tank (7), which is equipped with a siphon (13) and into which at least a detergent chemical-containing partial flow is adapted to be conveyed and conducted further into the first tank (8) by way of the siphon (13). The second tank (7) is provided with a first surface level sensing element (16) which indicates the attainment of a certain design volume in the second tank (7), whereby the water quantity measuring elements (2) register the indication moment about the attainment of a design volume and the amount of water which has flown through the measuring elements at the indication moment and which provides a basis for determining the concentration of a detergent chemical in the second tank (7).