Fluid mixing device

Abstract

The invention relates to a fluid mixing device which mixes a base fluid with one or more additive fluids coming from respective containers, said device being characterised in that it is quick and easy to use and in that no traces are left between uses. The device comprises a first module (1) for extracting at least one first fluid contained in at least one base fluid container (23), a drag, extrusion and discharge mechanism (2), a second module (3) for extracting one or more second fluids or additive fluids from one or more additive containers (24), a mixing tank (4) provided with a hole for the discharge of the final mixture, a battery-powered electronic control board (27), wherein a single stepper motor is used for applying pressure to the base fluid container and the additional fluid container(s), and the drag, extrusion and discharge mechanisms (2) are actuated.

Claims

1. A fluid mixing device comprising an outer casing or housing which comprises: a first module provided with means for extracting at least one first fluid contained in at least one container to a mixing tank, a drag, mechanism provided with means for extrusion and discharge, which operates inside the mixing tank to transform the heterogeneity of the single doses given by each of the containers into a final homogeneous mixture, a second module provided with means for extracting one or more second fluids or additive fluids from one or more additive containers to a mixing tank, the mixing tank is provided with a hole for the discharge of a final mixture, wherein the mixing tank is detachable and removable from the first module and the second module and the end result is characterized as a homogeneous mixture of all individual components, a battery-powered electronic control board, and a single stepper motor wherein the drag mechanism being arranged inside the mixing tank and the mixing tank being located between the first module and the second module, wherein control of the device after pressing just once enables using and obtaining a mixture of fluids, the single stepper motor lifts the container causing the discharge of its contents into the mixing tank; further the one or more additive containers are pressed due to the lifting of the mixing tank discharging their contents into the mixing tank, and the drag mechanism is also operated by said stepper motor at the same time.

2. The fluid mixing device according to claim 1, wherein the first module is located in a lower portion of the device whereas the second module is located in an upper portion of the device.

3. The fluid mixing device according to claim 1, wherein the stepper motor is associated with a main gear through a spindle, wherein the main gear engages with a gear of a drag element which is fixed to the second module through a screwed shaft and allows it to engage with a rack of the drag element, thus producing sliding in a drag, extrusion and discharge direction of the drag element.

4. The fluid mixing device according to claim 3, wherein said first module comprises, a base, guides fixed to the base, a platform movable in the vertical direction along the guides by the action of the spindle and a trapezoidal nut which transform the rotation of the single stepper motor into a lifting and lowering movement of the platform, which allows all the compartments to be actuated at the same time, in the same movement, stops for limiting the lifting movement of the platform, said stops being fixed to the base, a part provided with means, which couples and decouples the drag element during the cycle so that tanks can be compressed when it is completely deployed and discharged when they are still compressed.

5. The fluid mixing device according to claim 1, wherein the second module for discharging the additive containers comprises: a lifting and lowering platform of the mixing tank, which also performs the function of fixing the one or more additive containers, an additive stop part anchored to the outer casing, which causes the additive containers to be pressed, wherein the lifting and lowering platform corresponding to the second module also acts as a support for a portion of the drag system, since it is integral with the mixing tank.

6. The fluid mixing device according to claim 3, wherein the mixing tank has a parallelepiped shape open at one end for movement of the drag element and at the opposite end for the outlet of the final mixture, and the mixing tank comprises an inner space where the mixture is made wherein the upper portion of the mixing tank comprises at least one opening for each inlet from the one or more additive containers, and the fluid container comprises at least one opening for entry of at least one base fluid from at least one base fluid container.

7. The fluid mixing device according to claim 1, wherein the casing is provided with a series of indicator LEDs indicating amount of additive and base fluids, as well as the state of the battery; it also features a capacitive actuation button, and a door for accessing the inside, as well as a dispenser of the final mixture emerging through the door.

8. The fluid mixing device according to claim 1, wherein the device further comprises: a base fluid level sensor board which measures a fluid level available in a tank, an additive fluid level measurement board which is embedded in an additive stop part.

9. The fluid mixing device according to claim 8, wherein each of the level sensor boards comprises a LED emitter and a photoresistor arranged facing the LED emitter.

10. The fluid mixing device according claim 1, wherein the main control board features a microUSB connector for powering the board.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) To complement the description that is being made and for the purpose of helping to better understand the features of the invention according to a preferred practical embodiment thereof a set of drawings is included as an integral part of said description in which the following has been depicted in an illustrative and non-limiting manner.

(2) FIG. 1 shows an isometric perspective view of the device.

(3) FIG. 1A shows how to access the base and additive containers in the device.

(4) FIG. 1B shows the indicator elements and button whereby the user interacts with the device.

(5) FIG. 2 shows a diagram of the modules comprised in the device.

(6) FIG. 2A shows in detail how the drag modules and mixing tank interact.

(7) FIG. 3 shows the drag, extrusion and discharge module of the final fluid.

(8) FIG. 4 shows the drag and extrusion mechanism in the drawn hack or folded position.

(9) FIG. 4A shows a detail of how to fix the components in the drag mechanism.

(10) FIG. 5 shows a detail of the base fluid extraction module by pressing the container.

(11) FIG. 6 shows an exploded view of the base fluid extraction system.

(12) FIG. 7 shows the additive extraction diagram.

(13) FIG. 8 shows the device with the accesses to the inside open and how to interchange the additive and base containers.

(14) FIG. 9 shows a plane of an additive fluid container.

(15) FIG. 9A shows a plane of a base fluid container.

(16) FIG. 10 shows the base fluid and additive extraction process in the sequence from T=0 to T=6, and the subsequent mixing and extruding of the end product.

(17) FIG. 11 shows a series of views and cross sections of the mixing tank.

(18) FIG. 12 shows the distribution of the electronic components in the device.

(19) FIG. 13 describes the operation of the container level sensor, such as the base container sensor board.

(20) FIG. 14 describes the elements with which the user interacts and which are located in the upper portion of the device.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

(21) A Preferred Embodiment of the Proposed Invention is Described Below in View of the Figures.

(22) In FIG. 1, it can be observed that the device object of the invention comprises an outer casing or housing (18) provided with a front access (20). Furthermore, there is a dispensing tab (35) for dispensing the final mixture, as well as indicator LEDs (29) indicating the operating state of the device. It also features a button (22) to actuate the mixing and dispensing process.

(23) In FIG. 1A, the complete system with its only front door (20) in the open position and the front area for user interaction with the device can be observed, where the base and additive containers can be interchanged.

(24) FIG. 1B shows the position of the battery and container level indicator LEDs (29) in the upper surface of the outer casing (18). These are the positions of the LEDs, which are only visible through the casing when they light up, with the surface being completely clear of projections and recesses. Also, the button (22), which is capacitive, is below the outer casing (18) and in it there is a slit for the user to know where it is located.

(25) The main modules of the device and how they are housed inside the casing (18) (FIG. 1) can be observed in FIG. 2. Said modules are: A first module (1) for extracting a first fluid or a base fluid from a base fluid container (23) (FIG. 5) which contains said first fluid or base fluid. A drag, extrusion and discharge mechanism (2) of the final mixture, hereinafter referred to as drag mechanism (2) for the sake of simplification. A second module (3) for extracting second fluids or additive fluids of additive containers (24) (FIG. 8) A mixing tank (4) provided with a hole for the discharge of the final mixture which is connected with the dispensing tab (35).

(26) The drag mechanism (2) is arranged inside the mixing tank (4) and the latter is fixed to the second module (3).

(27) In a complementary manner, the mixing tank (4) can be detached and removed from the rest so as to enable being washed and disinfected if considered necessary.

(28) The complete mechanism and the sensor and button data acquisition are independently managed by a main electronics board, which allows regulating the amount of base fluid and additive fluid.

(29) The nature of the drag system (2), which works like a piston traveling along the entire section of the mixing tank (4), which also has the function of housing the additive containers (24) (FIG. 8) while they are located in the device, can be observed in FIG. 2A.

(30) FIG. 3 shows a detail of the drag mechanism (2) comprising a stepper motor (5) which causes rotation of the main gear (7) of the motor (5) by transmission through the spindle (8). This rotation of the main gear (7) causes rotation of the gear of the drag element (9) which is fixed to the second module (3) (FIG. 2) through a screwed shaft (10) and enables it to engage with the rack of the drag element (6), thus producing sliding in the drag, extrusion and discharge direction of the drag element.

(31) FIG. 4 shows a detail of the drag mechanism (2) withdrawn by the action of the stepper motor (5), which causes rotation of the main gear of the motor (7), this time in the sense opposite the drag direction, by transmission through the spindle (8). This rotation of the main gear (7) causes rotation of the gear of the drag element (9) which is fixed to the second module (3) through a screwed shaft (10) and allows it to engage with the rack of the drag element (6), thus producing the withdraw in the opposite sense of the drag direction.

(32) FIG. 4A shows the anchoring of the main gear (7) with the spindle (8) through a headless screw (11) which passes through the borehole made in both parts, causing a completely integral movement between them.

(33) FIG. 5 shows the first module (1) for extracting a base fluid from the base fluid container (23) consisting of a system for fixing same which also acts as a lifting platform (14) during compression and a resting platform during relaxation. This movement occurs as a result of the rotation of the stepper motor (5), which turns the spindle (8) that transmits such rotation to a nut (12) anchored in the lifting platform (14) and transforms the rotation into an upward or downward linear movement according to the direction of rotation. This platform is supported on two guides (13) which restrict movement to vertical movement and are fixed to the base of the module (17). There are brakes (15) to make the second module (3) stop, where said brakes (15) are also anchored to the base (17) of the module (1). Lastly, the pusher of the drag element (6) which is in charge of engaging and disengaging the drag element during the operating cycle is fixed, allowing compression of the tanks with the drag element being completely withdrawn and discharged at the end of the cycle.

(34) The compression of the base container (23) is exerted on the second module (2) positioned right on it; furthermore, the latter fits with the mixing tank (4) where the base fluid is discharged.

(35) Both the base fluid containers) and additive fluid container(s) are kept pressed until the drag element passes, and once it has passed they are no longer pressed.

(36) FIG. 6 shows an exploded view of said first module (1), which comprises: a base (17). guides (13) fixed to the base (17). a platform (14) movable in the vertical direction along the guides (13) by the action of a spindle (8) and a nut (12) which transform the rotation of the stepper motor (5) into a lifting and lowering movement of the platform (14). stops (15) for limiting the lifting movement of the platform (14), said stops (15) being fixed to the base platform (17). a part (16) which couples and decouples the drag element (6) during the cycle so that the tanks can be compressed when it is completely deployed and discharged when they are still compressed.

(37) The so-called base fluid does not have to be limited to a single fluid, and more than one base fluid container can be arranged and each of the base fluids managed either simultaneously or independently.

(38) FIG. 7 shows the second module (3) for discharging the additive fluids (24) and comprising a lifting and lowering platform (20 of the mixing tank (4), which also performs the function of fixing the additive tanks (24), and an additive stop part (19) anchored to the outer casing (18) (FIG. 1), which causes the additive tanks to be completely pressed. Said pressure is exerted by the first module (1) during its upward movement supported on the guides shared by both modules (13). The lifting and lowering platform (21) corresponding to the second module (3) also acts as a support for a portion of the drag system (2), since it is integral with the mixing tank (4).

(39) FIG. 8 shows how to access the inside of the device and interchange additive containers (24) and base fluid container (23). This system comprises the front door (20), which serves for directly accessing first module (1) and accordingly the base container (23) by introducing one's hand, and the partial retraction of the mixing tank (4), which allows interchanging the additive containers (24) in the vertical direction.

(40) FIG. 9 shows front, plan and cross-sectional views of an additive fluid container (24).

(41) FIG. 9A shows front, plan and cross-sectional views of a base fluid container (23).

(42) FIG. 10 shows the sequence of actions taking place from the time the push button (22) (FIG. 1) in the upper portion of the casing of the device (18) is pressed until the final mixture is obtained in the dispenser (35) of the mixing tank (4).

(43) In the initial position (T=0), the drag mechanism (2) keeps the drag element (6) extended, isolating the mixing tank (4), and the containers are relaxed. After the user presses the button (22), the operating cycle begins (T=1) with a synchronised movement comprising the retraction of the drag element (6) and compression of the containers, with the drag element reaching the fully retracted position and compression of the containers (T=2) having not yet begun. The drag system (2) disengages the drag element before compression of the containers starts, enabling all the fluids, that is, the fluids from the additive containers (24) and the fluid from the base fluid container (23), to be placed in the mixing tank (4) in front of the drag element (6) (T=3). Subsequently, the mechanism starts to move downwards, enabling decompression of the containers, and before the first module (1) and second module (3) start to separate from one another, the drag system (2) again engages the drag element (6) pushing all the fluids out of the mixing tank (4) (T=4). As a final part of the cycle, the drag element (6) extrudes all the fluids through the hole of the mixing tank (4), discharging the mixture into the dispenser (35) arranged for that purpose while the downward movement the first module (1) and second module (3) (T=5) continues until the drag element (6) is fully extended and the containers fully relaxed, reaching the starting point (T=6=0).

(44) FIG. 11 shows the constructive features of the mixing tank (4). It has a parallelepiped shape open at one end for movement of the drag element (6) and at the opposite end for the outlet of the final mixture, and an inner space (33) where the mixture is made being defined. The upper portion of the mixing tank (4) comprises at least one hole (32) for each inlet from the additive fluid containers, whereas for the base fluid container (23) it also features at least one hole (34) for entry of the at least one base fluid from the at least one base fluid container (23). Lastly, it features two extensions in its rear portion which serve as a support when the mixing tank (4) is extracted, enabling additive containers (24) to be changed.

(45) The location of the inlet for the fluids to be mixed inside the mixing tank (4) through the inlet holes for the fluids is such that the inlet holes coincide with the fluid containers.

(46) The section throughout the mixing tank (4) is constant and coincides, with the exception of fitting tolerances, with the section of the drag element (6) for exerting that piston-type drag force described above. The adjoining wall of the tank and the dispensing tab (35) has a concave shape which provides better mixing and discharge of the final mixed fluid.

(47) FIG. 12 shows distribution of the electronic elements in the device which allow capturing data, managing information and outputting operating and information signals to the user.

(48) The four electronic components of the system are described. In the lower portion embedded in the first module (1), on the base fluid platform (14), is the base fluid level sensor board (25) which measures the fluid level available in the tank. The additive fluid level measurement board (26) which is embedded in the additive stop part (19) (FIG. 7) of the second module (3) performs the same function for each of the additives. The main board (27) of the system which is in charge of managing all the information from the sensor boards and informing the user through indicator LEDs (29), in addition to managing the battery charge, is located in the upper portion of the device anchored to the same part as the active ingredient sensor board. Lastly, also anchored to the same additive stop part (19) is the system battery (28), the form and nature of which are not limited to those shown in FIG. 12, although this is a preferred embodiment. The battery is in charge of powering all the electronic systems, starting with the main board, and can be charged through a microUSB connector (36) (FIG. 14) located in the main board (27), where this connector is also preferred but is non-limiting.

(49) FIG. 13 shows the operation of both the base fluid and additive container level sensor boards (25) (26). In the case shown, the base fluid sensor board (25) is observed. In said board there is a bent LED emitter (31) which, before starting the cycle, emits a light signal which is captured by the photoresistor (30) on the opposite side, and depending on the fluid level, said signal arrives with a given intensity or another indicating the level in the container.

(50) FIG. 14 shows the distribution of the components in the main board of the system (27) on the upper surface of the casing (18) in which the indicator LEDs (29), the capacitive button (22) and the microUSB (36) are located.

(51) Possible cases for global operation and user indications are described in detail below. Indicator LEDs (29): These indicate the amount of additive/base fluids of each air-less container in 4 phases (two colours: red/white): WHITE LED on: There is enough of all products and everything is working properly. WHITE LED blinking: The container is running out. RED LED on: Product has run out, or in the case of the base fluid, it has run out or there is no container. LED off: Additive container has not been introduced. In the case of the base container, this state cannot occur and its red indicator LED would also switch on in this situation. Battery (two colours: red/white): LED off: The battery has sufficient charge to work properly. RED LED on: Insufficient battery to work. RED LED blinking: The battery is running out, device must be charged. WHITE LED blinking: Charging and connected to the current. WHITE LED steady: Charged 100% and connected to the current.

(52) Having sufficiently described the nature of the present invention as well as the manner of putting it into practice, it is hereby stated that within its essential features, the invention may be carried out to practice in other embodiments which differ in detail from that indicated by way of example and which will likewise fall under the protection which is sought provided that the fundamental principle thereof has not been altered, changed or modified.