FI104807B - Device for metered dispensing of liquid - Google Patents

Description

104807

APPARATUS FOR LIQUID DISTRIBUTION - ANORDNING FÖR DOSERING AV VÄTSKA

The invention relates to a dispenser for, for example, dispensing and storing a windscreen washer fluid, which dispenser comprises a liquid container and dispensing apparatus.

5 Good visibility in traffic is a prerequisite for safe travel. Constantly changing weather conditions make it difficult to keep the windscreen and headlights clean, which necessitates the use of washer fluid. Many qualities are also required for a good washing liquid. Usually, the motorist 10, upon detecting the windshield and lamp washer fluid reservoirs, bends to the nearest service station to obtain a couple of bottles of washer fluid, which he pours into the tanks and adds the required amount of water, after which the journey continues. Alternatively, he may have in the trunk of a 15-car vehicle a spare bottle of washing liquid purchased from the Market a little cheaper in advance, the contents of which he ... set aside the detergent tanks.

'' '1 What both procedures have in common is that' 'there are empty plastic bottles, which are hazardous waste and: in the worst case scenario, they will remain for long periods of time' · on the roadside to pollute the environment. The same applies to battery liquids and petroleum products, which are also sold in convenient disposable packaging. There are 25 large volumes of non-recyclable non-recyclable plastic waste management waste containers each year. EC §:> co-operative tighter packaging directives that will come into force in Finland also require **] a reduction in the generation of various types of packaging waste and::: efficient recycling. Under the Directive, the seller of disposable packaging may be obliged to take back used containers. Thus, new solutions to problems need to be sought.

It is an object of the present invention to overcome the above problem of 2,104,807 and to provide a new dispensing device that reduces the need for disposable packaging while enhancing the delivery, dispensing and storage of various service fluids.

The features of the invention are set forth in claim 1.

The invention provides a safe and easy-to-use dispensing machine, which enables the vehicle driver to obtain the desired amount of maintenance fluid without the need for a separate pre-pack, thereby avoiding the generation of additional hazardous waste and the need to dispose of it.

The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figures 1A and 1B are sectional views of a liquid dispensing dispenser according to the invention.

Figure 2 shows the structural components of the dispensing machine of Figure 1.

I I

Figure 3 illustrates the structural design of the dispensing machine of Figure 1. components, axometrically.

; Figure 4 shows the structural components of another embodiment of the device according to the invention.

Figure 1 shows the structural mechanics ·· * of the dispensing machine of Figure 4 in axonometric view.

Figures 1A and 1B show a liquid dispensing dispenser according to the invention in sectional view. The body 9 of the dispensing machine 10 is made of metal surrounded by a housing 8 made of metal or similar ♦ ♦ material. The electronic unit and the monetary apparatus 18 are located in their own protected thermostated state and the reservoir 11, the liquid pump 14 30 respectively. and other mechanics are in their own space. If the apparatus ·, repetition 10 is used for dispensing liquids whose volatile gases can be classified as flammable gases, the apparatus is well ventilated. Similarly, due to flammable gases, the electrical components used are those of the type in question. an approved model for the devices. The device 10 for attaching the body 9 must be of sufficient strength and burglary in use, especially when the device has a separate money container. The dispensing machine 10 can be equipped with burglar and vandalism alarms to minimize the amount of damage.

Figures 2 and 3 show the constructional components of the liquid dispensing machine 10 according to the invention 10 of Figure 1. An interchangeable or fixed fluid container 11 is disposed within the body of the dispensing machine 10. The fluid container 11, of steel or plastic material, has a volume of about 150 liters, which, for windscreen washer 15, for example, represents a total mass of 150 kg. The container 11 is filled with a solution either from larger transport packages, which are so-called. twist packs or directly from the truck's fluid tank ready for use. The filling opening 25 on top of the container 11 is closed by either; · 20 with a lockable screw cap or a separate locking lid.

The fluid reservoir 11 is provided with a separate fluid type sensor 12 which is a rod-like sensor. Sensor 12: '·· operates on electrical conductivity. If the Liquid Type is not the correct dispenser 10, the malfunction light 20 will illuminate. The dispensing machine 10 is operable only when the correct fluid is present in the container 11. The fluid reservoir 11 is further provided with a lower and upper limit sensor 13 for the fluid surface. 30 or a conductivity sensor based on electrical conductivity, or the like. than sensor 12 is. If the liquid level in the reservoir 11 ·: is too low, the dispensing machine 10 will not start and the malfunction light 20 will turn on and the light will only go out when there is liquid, ···. added to the container 11. A measuring glass 24 is mounted on the side of the container 11 to detect the level of the liquid surface in the container.

The gauge 24 may also be replaced by a 104807 4 gauge. If used, the meter may also replace the border sensor 13.

Connected to the fluid reservoir 11 is a fluid pump 14 operating by a pressure coupling on the pipe connection 42. For example, the piston, diaphragm, rubber impeller, centrifugal, lamella, gear, hose, screw or other pump operating in a similar manner has the necessary properties for transferring the fluid to be pumped. The electronics controlling the fluid pump 14 include e.g. own timers 10 providing the required amount of liquid with sufficient accuracy to measuring vessel 27. The amount of liquid dispensed by dispensing machine 10 to vessel 27 can be compared by the customer to the corresponding identification of an officially inspected and approved vessel. If the customer does not receive a sufficient amount of 15 fluids, he or she can make a complaint to the dispenser.

A pressure switch located in the liquid pump 14 protects the system by stopping the pump if the pipe connection 38 for any reason becomes blocked. A malfunction occurs when the indicator light 20 connected to the electronics unit 17 provided with the malfunction diagnostics 20 illuminates. The malfunction indicator light 20 may be illuminated by any of the above or other technical malfunctions.

'/ ·! From the fluid reservoir 11, the solution passes through the tube assembly 38 to a spring-loaded non-return valve 15 which, however, has a certain chemical resistance to the material. The purpose of the non-return valve 15 is to prevent the occurrence of a siphon effect and backflow. Through valve 15, the liquid is led through a dispensing tube 16 passing through control opening 41 of container housing 46 to measuring vessel 27.

The measuring cup 27 serves as a container for the customer to refuel either in the tank of his vehicle or in his own separate container. The measuring vessel 27 is attached to one end of a line about 6 meters or a thin wire, which at its first end is attached to a fishing reel 5 104807 28 having an automatic rewinding of the line passing through the control opening 40 of the container housing 46. Thanks to the rewinding, the container 27 stays in the right place in the dispenser 10 and returns to the next 5 customers for refueling. The measuring vessel 27 is approved by the stabilizer and is marked with volumes such as 1 1 (volume 1) or 0.5 1 (volume 2) with dashed lines. The scales are clearly visible so that the customer can immediately see the amount of fluid they have received. The metering and dispensing vessel 27 is provided with a receptacle sensor 26 for example attached to the receptacle housing 46, for example by a photocell, which ensures that the receptacle is in the correct position so that the liquid can flow freely into the receptacle. If the receptacle 27 is out of position, a note 30 15 will be displayed to verify the correct setting of the measuring receptacle, and the malfunction light 20.

Underneath or in the immediate vicinity of the measuring vessel 27 is located an overflow tube 21, from where the container 27 is filled, any splash liquid is conducted to the overflow 20 container 23. The overflow container 23 is made of metal or plastic and has a volume of 24 , which detects a tank; the level of fluid accumulated overnight.

The electronic unit 17 is provided with dosing apparatus 10 • «·; ; 25 Guiding Electrical Engineering. There is a power supply, timer electronics for two or more batches, and electronics for pump 14. In addition, the unit 17 is provided with the upper and lower limit detector 13 and the vessel detector 26 as well as the security and the like.

30 electronics. The heating element 22 holds the electronic unit • I · \. the temperature of the fryer 17 high enough to allow for moisture; and, for temperature fluctuations, the operation of sensitive electronics is smooth. Element 22 consists of a thermal resistor and. fan controlled by a thermostat. The electrically demanding components of the dispenser 35 are connected to one another by electrical conductors 49.

6 104807

Payment transactions in the dispensing machine 10 may be handled by coin, banknote or card Yxn. The machine 10 may also be connected to a cash register at a gas station. After the payment has been made, the dose button 19 is pressed, after which the dispenser 10 obtains a corresponding amount of liquid into the measuring vessel 27 according to either volume-1 or volume-2. If the dispenser 10 is connected to the card machine or the cash register, the dispenser must have select buttons for selectable volumes; The sil-10 created no need for the dose button 19 because the select buttons act as refueling buttons at the same time. If a plurality of fluid reservoirs 11 are connected to the device 10, there is a refueling button for each fluid type. From the LCD display of the money 29 and the quantity displays 30, the customer sees the total amount of money that he has set as well as the volume of liquid received.

Figures 4 and 5 show structural components of a second embodiment of a dispensing device 10 'according to the invention. A removable 20 or solid fluid container 11 is disposed within the body of the dispensing machine 10 '. The fluid container 11 of steel or plastic material has a volume of about 150 1. The filling opening 25 on the container 11 is closed by either a lockable screw cap or a separate lock. . on deck. The fluid reservoir 11 is provided with a separate liquid-type *:: 25 type sensor 12 which is a rod-like sensor. The sensor 12 operates on the basis of electrical conductivity. The liquid container 11 is further provided with a lower and upper limit sensor 13 for the liquid surface. A measuring glass 24 is mounted on the side of the container 11 to detect the level of the liquid surface in the container.

Connected to the fluid reservoir 11 is a fluid pump 34 operated by a pressure switch via a pipe connection 42, for example a piston, diaphragm or other pump based on a similar principle of operation. Controlled by the fluid pump 34 electronics, the required amount of fluid 35 is conveyed along the tube assembly 38 with sufficient accuracy 7 to a 104807 weighing tank metering and dosing vessel 31. A pressure switch in the liquid pump 34 protects the system by stopping the pump. Any malfunction will cause the indicator light 20 5 to light, indicating that the dispensing machine 10 is not in operation.

From the fluid reservoir 11, the solution passes through the conduit 38 to a standard spring-loaded non-return valve 15 which serves to prevent the occurrence of a siphon and post-flow 10. Through valve 15, the fluid is led through the control port 47 of the weighing tank 31 along the fill pipe 35 to the tank. The weighing container 31 is a container made of plastic or metal resting on the horizontal element 32. The total volume of the container 31 is about 5 liters. The weighing tank 31 is always filled with liquid and tare in standby mode. When refilling the liquid, the horizontal element 32 operates in a so-called. however, the amount of fuel filled is indicated as positive on the quantity display 30. The attachment points for the upper limit fluid 33 sensor, filler 35, and refueling suction tube 36 through the control port 47 on the lid of the weighing tank 31 are located outside the weighing tank 31. stress.

: * · *; 25 The upper limit sensor 33 of the liquid level in the weighing tank 31 functions like the limit sensor 13 of the liquid container 11. The upper limit sensor 33 starts and stops the fluid pump 34 and tare the horizontal element 32 of the horizontal system. the ceiling has been reached. After charging, the dispensing vehicle 10 'is in standby mode. The horizontal element 32 performs * · * all data transmission to the electronic unit 17 required for weighing. The horizontal element 32 is of such a structure that it is accepted by the stabilizer. purpose. In this embodiment, the horizontal element 32 requires a display resolution of 2 g and a spacing of 3000 at a maximum weighing of 6 kg.

8 104807

From the filling tube 35 of the weighing tank 31, the liquid 31 of the tank 31 is replenished. A spring-loaded non-return valve 15 is mounted in the fill pipe 35 to eliminate a siphon effect that would cause the liquid to flow back to the liquid-5 tank 11. During refueling, suction tube 36 sucks liquid from weighing tank 31 with a refill pump 44. The refueling pump 44 functions in the same way as the pump 34, except that the pump 44 is provided with a pressure switch which starts and stops the pump during refueling. When the refueling handle 37 is in the open position, the pump rotates and when it is closed, the pump 44 stops. The refueling pump 44 draws its liquid from the weighing tank 31 through the opening 47 of the tank lid via the suction pipe 36.

A hose reel 43 is provided in the dispensing machine 10 'which is provided with an automatic rewind function. The average number of hoses 48 in the reel 43 is 6 meters. The material 48 of the hose 48 is uncured in frost and does not change in volume due to the pressure exerted by the refueling pump 44. There is a non-return valve 15 '' at the end 37 of the refueling handle 37 of the hose 48 which prevents the fluid contained in the hose from being drained by its own weight. Liquid is supplied through hose 48 only when pump 44 is operating. direction. The refueling handle 37 extending the hose 48 is provided with · 25 a valve actuator with a trigger-type closing and opening mechanism.

The electronics unit 17 is provided with electrical technology controlling the metering apparatus 10 '. There is a power supply, the electronics required for the horizontal element 32 and the pumps 34 and 44. In addition, the unit 17 is connected to the electronics required for the liquid sensors 13 and 33 as well as the safety etc. The heating element 22 keeps the temperature of the electronic unit 17 high enough. 22 consists of a heat resistor and a fan controlled by a thermostat 35 The electrically demanding components of the dispenser 10 'are 9 104807 interconnected by electrical conductors 49.

Payment traffic in the dispensing machine 10 'can be handled by coin, banknote or card and other vending machines 18. After the payment, the dose button 19 is pressed. The dose or refueling button 19 provides a dispensing machine 10 'for refueling after the transaction. Thereafter, a quantity of liquid corresponding to the payment is obtained from the dispenser 10 '. If the device 10 is connected to a plurality of fluid reservoirs 11, each type of fluid has its own refueling button 19. From the money 29 and 29 'and the quantity display 30 LED or liquid crystal display screens, the customer sees the total amount set, the liquid volume 15 units of markka. The display resolution of the amount of money is one penny.

It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that various embodiments of the invention may vary from those set forth below. claims.

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Claims (8)

Dosing device (10, 10 ') e.g. for dispensing and storing flushing fluid for windscreens, the device comprising a liquid container, distribution equipment and a removable or a solid, e.g. made of plastic or metal measuring and metering vessels (27, 31), the vessel (27) having been marked with clearly visible measuring lines for volume indication and / or the vessel (31) resting on a weighing element (32) characterized by: the metering vessel (27, 31) is attached to the metering device by means of a line (39) or equivalent, which is automatically rolled up, or - to the measuring and metering vessel (27, 31), a refueling hose (48) is provided with automatic retraction. . Dispensing device (10, 10 ') according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises an inlet tube (16, 35) provided with a check valve (15). A metering device (10, 10 ') according to claim 1 or ... 2, characterized in that it comprises an electronic unit <17 (17) in which a switching clock is arranged for controlling a liquid pump (14, 34) and electronics for the required amount of liquid in the measuring and dosing vessel (27, - 31), and that the liquid pump (14, 34) has been provided with a pressure connection for interrupting the flow of liquid if all the pipe connection (38) is blocked. . . ·. 25 Dosing device (10, 10 ') according to claim 1, 2 ··· or 3, characterized in that a sensor (·) is placed in the control opening (47) of the measuring vessel (31). · (33) for indicating the upper limit of the liquid surface and a suction pipe (15 ') fitted with a check valve (36), which is connected ....: 30 to a pump (44) equipped with a pressure switch for transporting liquid from the container (31). Dosing device (10, 10 ') according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that the measuring and dosing vessel (27) is provided with a vessel identifier (26) which can be adjusted by means of a case in the vessel case (46). attached recognition means (45) such as a photocell. Dispensing device (10, 10 ') according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that an overflow tube (21) is placed below the measuring and dispensing vessel (27) or in the immediate vicinity thereof, whereby any waste liquid from the vessel (27) loading site 10 of a waste metal container (23) provided with measuring means (24 '). Dosing device (10, 10 ') according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that the measuring and dosing vessel (27) is attached to the other end of a line (39) or small wire, the first end of the line being attached to a rope roll (28), which is provided with automatic roll-up of the rope (39), which runs through the guide opening (40) of the vessel case (46). ... A dosing device (10, 10 ') according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized therein. that a hose reel (43) is provided with a hose reel (43) provided with an automatic winding device for the hose (48), and that: a refueling handle (37) is attached to the hose (48) with a valve control means which works with 25 shutdown and opening mechanisms of this type as a trigger. · · · · 1 ··· • · «· · 1 ♦ · · • · ♦ 1 · •« · «» · · 1 ♦ 1 »• ·