Wireless Fluid Dispensing Control With Leak-Resistant Valve and Nozzle
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current fluid management systems face issues such as reliance on PC-based software that is vulnerable to operating system and hardware failures, cumbersome PIN entry and work order selection processes, valve seal displacement and leakage, and nozzle leakage due to contaminants and pressure imbalances, leading to inefficiencies and maintenance challenges.
Innovation Solution
A fluid management system with a fluid management controller that communicates wirelessly with components, authorizes dispense events, and collects data, featuring a trigger control mechanism controlled by user identification, a valve design with improved seal engagement, and a nozzle with a cone-shaped passage for enhanced sealing, along with a handheld meter design that allows for user interface orientation adjustment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If PC-based software is used to control fluid management systems, then centralized control and data aggregation are achieved, but system reliability deteriorates due to operating system and hardware failures
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides control functions into two independent segments: a centralized PC-based management system for data aggregation and a standalone fluid management controller for critical dispensing operations. This segmentation allows the PC to provide centralized control capabilities while the independent controller maintains system reliability by operating autonomously without depending on PC availability.
Solution Approach 2:
The fluid management controller acts as an intermediary device between the PC-based software and the fluid dispensing hardware. It receives authorization from the PC but can independently control the dispensing process, thereby mediating between centralized control requirements and reliability needs by providing a buffer that isolates critical operations from PC failures.
2Reliability
If PIN entry and work order selection processes are required, then authorization control is achieved, but operational efficiency deteriorates due to cumbersome manual input
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces the mechanical manual input process (typing PINs and selecting work orders) with an automated identification process using RFID tags or barcodes. Users simply present their identification to the controller, which automatically retrieves authorization data, thereby maintaining security while dramatically improving operational efficiency by eliminating time-consuming manual entry.
3Ease of manufacture
If traditional valve seal design is used, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but seal displacement and leakage occur under fluid pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The valve seal interface is designed with a conical geometry instead of a traditional flat or cylindrical shape. This conical configuration provides a self-centering effect that maintains consistent seal engagement under varying fluid pressures, preventing seal displacement and leakage while remaining manufacturable using standard machining processes.
4Device complexity
If nozzle design without pressure compensation is used, then manufacturing complexity is reduced, but nozzle leakage occurs due to pressure imbalances
Solution Approach 1:
The nozzle incorporates a pressure compensation mechanism that automatically adjusts the sealing parameter based on fluid pressure conditions. When pressure imbalances occur, the mechanism modifies the contact pressure between sealing surfaces to maintain effective sealing, thereby preventing leakage without requiring complex additional components.
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid management system includes a fluid management controller and a fluid dispenser. The controller authorizes control of the one or more fluid management components over a wireless interface. A dispensing meter can be activated by an authentication device. The fluid meter includes a cartridge valve with a valve cartridge and a valve stem. The cartridge valve guides the valve stem and provides the only sealing surface for the dynamic seals and control seal disposed on the valve stem. The handheld meter dispenses through a nozzle, which includes an overmolded stem tip that generates a laminar fluid flow as the fluid exits the nozzle. The handheld fluid meter includes circuitry configured to invert the orientation of a visual output provided by a display of the handheld fluid meter to facilitate installation of the handheld fluid meter for use in an oil bar application.