Description:DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND
[0001] Unless otherwise indicated herein, the materials described in this section are not prior art to the claims in this application and are not admitted to being prior art by inclusion in this section.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The subject matter in general relates to devices for fluid transfer. More particularly, but not exclusively, the subject matter relates to a device for dynamic control of fluid transfer.
DISCUSSION OF THE RELATED FIELD
[0003] The device in focus is mainly used in laboratories for transferring chemicals and biological materials, among others. One of the traditional ways of transferring such fluids is by way of tubes, wherein a user manually draws the fluids into tubes by way of suction and then retains the fluid within the tubes until dispensing the fluid from the tube. One of the major disadvantages with such approach is that the quantity of the fluid drawn into the tubes is not precise and would not aid scenarios which require precise quantities of fluids to be drawn and transferred. In addition, in cases where chemicals are to be transferred, chances of chemical beings sucked into mouth of users are high, which is not only harmful to the user but is also deadly in some cases.
[0004] In light of this, numerous devices are now available in the market designed for transferring fluids. However, the devices currently available in the market enable drawing of fluid without offering any customization to the user in terms of functionality. The devices currently available in the market usually have a setup with a single configuration, wherein the device is preconfigured to transfer fluids. One of the disadvantages of having a setup with a single configuration is that the user may still not be able to draw fluids into the device accurately as the configuration of the setup is predefined and is not customizable.
[0005] In view of the disadvantages discussed above, there is a need for a device with a dynamic control for transferring fluids which can provide a user the options of customizing the configuration which would suit the instant requirement.
SUMMARY
[0006] In one aspect of the embodiment, a device for dynamic control of fluid transfer is provided. The device comprises of a main body, a processing module, a first actuator, a second actuator and a third actuator. The main body is configured to be connected to a fluid retaining member for transferring of fluid. The processing module is connected to a motor for controlling speed of the motor for transferring the fluid through the fluid retaining member. The third actuator is configured for setting a predetermined speed for transferring fluid through the fluid retaining member. The processing module is connected to the first actuator, the second actuator and the third actuator, wherein a first flow of the fluid into the fluid retaining member at the predetermined speed is enabled with a single actuation of the first actuator, a second flow of the fluid from the fluid retaining member at the predetermined speed is enabled with a single actuation of the second actuator, and subsequent double actuation of the first actuator or the second actuator changes the speed of the respective first flow or the second flow of the fluid from the predetermined speed to a reduced speed. The speed of the first flow or the second flow of the fluid is changed back to the predetermined speed from the reduced speed with a single actuation of the first actuator or the second actuator, respectively.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0007] Embodiments are illustrated by way of example and not limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which like references indicate similar elements and in which:
[0008] FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a device 100, in accordance with an embodiment;
[0009] FIG. 1B is yet another perspective view of the device 100, in accordance with an embodiment;
[0010] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the device 100 with its internal components exposed, in accordance with an embodiment;
[0011] FIG. 3A-3B is a flow chart depicting operation of the device 100 in power mode, in accordance with an embodiment; and
[0012] FIG. 4 is a flow chart depicting operation of the device 100 in gravity mode, in accordance with an embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0013] The following detailed description includes references to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of the detailed description. The drawings show illustrations in accordance with example embodiments. These example embodiments, which may be herein also referred to as “examples” are described in enough detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the present subject matter. However, it may be apparent to one with ordinary skill in the art, that the present invention may be practised without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures and components have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects of the embodiments. The embodiments can be combined, other embodiments can be utilized, or structural, logical, and design changes can be made without departing from the scope of the claims. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.
[0014] In this document, the terms “a” or “an” are used, as is common in patent documents, to include one or more than one. In this document, the term “or” is used to refer to a nonexclusive “or,” such that “A or B” includes “A but not B,” “B but not A,” and “A and B,” unless otherwise indicated.
[0015] In the embodiments that shall be discussed, components may define a circular cross section. However, the components may not be limited to circular profile and may define any geometrical cross-section or combination of different geometrical cross-sections.
[0016] Referring to FIGS. 1A-1B and FIG. 2, a device 100 for dynamic control of fluid transfer is disclosed, in accordance with an embodiment. The device 100 comprises of a main body 102, a PCB comprising of a processing module, a first actuator 202, a second actuator 204, a third actuator 206, a motor, a pump and a battery 208, wherein the motor and the pump may be integral and may not be separated components.
[0017] In an embodiment, the main body 102 comprises of three portions viz., a handle portion 104, a middle portion 106 and a connecting portion 108. The handle portion 104 and the middle portion 106 may be configured to encompass most of internal components required for the functioning of the device 100. The connecting portion 108 may be configured to enable detachable engagement of a fluid retaining member 110 with the device 100.
[0018] In an embodiment, the handle portion 104 of the device 100 may be, but not limited to, configured to encompass the battery 208 and the PCB, the first actuator 202 and the second actuator 204. The battery 208 may be configured to power the motor along with other internal components disclosed in the foregoing.
[0019] In an embodiment, the first actuator 202 and the second actuator 204 may be disposed towards a front side of the handle portion 104 in a manner that at least a portion of the first actuator 202 and the second actuator 204 are received within the handle portion 104 of the device 100 thereby exposing other end of the first actuator 202 and the second actuator 204 to users. Ends of the first actuator 202 and the second actuator 204 opposite to the ones exposed to the users are encompassed by the handle portion 104 of the device 100. The first actuator 202 and the second actuator 204 may be connected to micro switches, which in turn may be operably connected to the PCB.
[0020] In an embodiment, the third actuator 206 may be provided towards an upper side of the middle portion 106 of the device 100. The third actuator 206 may be provided with a potentiometer, which in turn may be connected to the PCB comprising the processing module. The third actuator 206 may be provided with a visual marking that enables a user to determine the position of the third actuator 206 and thereby determine the speed at which the device 100 is set.
[0021] In an alternate embodiment, the device may be provided with magnetic sensors or hall effect sensors in lieu of micro switches.
[0022] In an embodiment, both motor and pump may be an integral part of a single device like an air diaphragm pump.
[0023] In an alternate embodiment, the motor may be disposed within the device 100. The motor may in turn may be coupled with the pump, wherein the motor may be configured to run the pump. The pump may be disposed adjacent to the motor within the device 100. The pump, in turn, may be operably connected to the connecting portion 108 of the device 100. The pump may be configured to enable transferring of the fluids by way of drawing in/drawing out the fluid into/from the fluid retaining member 110 respectively.
[0024] In an embodiment, a charging port 210 may be provided towards a lower side of the handle portion 104 of the device 100. The charging port 210 may be configured to be internally connected to the battery 208. This setup may enable a user to recharge the battery 208 whenever necessary. A battery being provided within the device 100 offers portability.
[0025] In an embodiment, towards the upper side of the middle portion 106 of the device 100, on a side exposed to a user, a notification centre 212 may be provided. The notification centre 212 may be configured to provide a user with information related to, but not limited to, battery percentage.
[0026] In an alternate embodiment, device 100 may be provided with a display that may be configured to provide a user with information related to, but not limited to, battery percentage.
[0027] In an embodiment, the device 100 may be provided with a dedicated button 214 for switching operating mode of the device 100. A single actuation of the dedicated button 214 may switch the operation of the device 100 from one mode to another. Similarly, another single actuation of the dedicated button 214 may switch the operation of the back to the previous mode. In addition, the device 100 may be provided with an indicator that may be configured to indicate the mode of operation of the device 100, when the dedicated button is actuated.
[0028] In an embodiment, the first actuator 202, the second actuator 204, the third actuator 206, the battery 208, the charging port 210 and the motor, among others may be operably and electrically connected.
[0029] In an embodiment, the motor may be, but not limited, to an air diaphragm pump.
[0030] In an embodiment, the pump may be, but not limited to, a vacuum pump.
[0031] In an embodiment, the fluid retaining member 110 may be long hollow tube that may be provided with a provision for detachably attaching itself to the device 100 on one end.
[0032] In an embodiment, the fluid retaining member 110 may be made of, but not limited to, completely transparent material.
[0033] In an embodiment, the main body 102 may be provided with a provision similar to the one provided on one end of the fluid retaining member 110, which enables the fluid retaining member 110 to be detachably engaged to the device 100.
[0034] In an embodiment, the motor may be configured to operate at its maximum speed. The speed of the motor may be varied by varying voltage supply to the motor. The speed of the motor may be increased by stepping up the voltage supply to the motor. In a similar manner, the speed of the motor may be reduced by stepping down the voltage supply to the motor.
[0035] In an embodiment, the device 100 may be configured to be operated at different motor speeds. The device 100 may be configured to be operated at, but not limited to, at least two motor speeds i.e., a predetermined speed and a reduced speed. The predetermined speed may be maximum operational speed of the motor for a particular requirement that may be defined/set by a user during operation of the device 100, wherein the predetermined speed may be equal to or less than the maximum operational speed of the motor. The predetermined speed may be changed based on the requirement.
[0036] In an embodiment, the reduced speed of the motor may be, but not limited to, ten percent of the maximum operational speed of the motor.
[0037] In an embodiment, the PCB may be configured to store the predetermined speed defined/set by user. The PCB may be further configured to store multiple predetermined speeds.
[0038] In an embodiment, a pre-programmed PCB may be employed, wherein the PCB may be configured to execute different instructions for the functioning of the device 100.
[0039] In an embodiment, the processing module that is part of the PCB may be implemented as appropriate in hardware, computer-executable instructions, firmware, or combinations thereof. Computer-executable instruction or firmware implementations of the processing module may include computer-executable or machine-executable instructions written in any suitable programming language to perform the various functions described. The processing module may be configured to receive inputs from the user via any one of the three actuators and thereby execute the respective function.
[0040] In an embodiment, the device 100 may be configured to transfer fluid by way of a first flow or a second flow, wherein the first flow may be drawing the fluid into the fluid retaining member 110 and the second flow may be drawing out the fluid from the fluid retaining member 110. Both the first flow and the second flow may be achieved with the pump.
[0041] Having described the structural configuration of the device 100 in detail, the operation of the device 100 will be discussed in greater detail.
OPERATION
[0042] The device 100 discussed in the foregoing may be configured to be operated in two modes viz., power mode or gravity mode. Each of the modes will now be discussed in greater detail.
POWER MODE
[0043] In an embodiment, the device 100 is configured to operate in a power mode, wherein the operation of transferring the fluid is achieved completely with the assistance of the device 100, wherein both the first flow and the second flow are carried out employing the air diaphragm pump of the device 100.
[0044] Referring to FIG. 3A-3B, operation of the device 100 in power mode is disclosed, in accordance with an embodiment.
[0045] In an embodiment, at step 302 a predetermined speed of the motor for the device 100 is set by a user using the third actuator 206. For example, the user, based on the requirement, sets a predetermined speed of the motor. Let’s say the user sets the predetermined speed of the motor to be 50 percent of the maximum operating speed of the motor. By setting the predetermined speed of the motor to 50 percent of its maximum operating speed, the device 100 is now configured to cap the operation of the motor at 50 percent of its maximum speed until the predetermined speed is changed by the user.
[0046] At step 304, the device 100 is set to power mode by actuating a dedicated button 214. A single press of the dedicated button 214 enables the device 100 to be work in power mode. The indicator is configured to be disabled (switched OFF) thereby indicating that the device 100 is now working in power mode.
[0047] At step 306, the first flow of fluid at the predetermined speed is achieved by actuating the first actuator 202 once. For example, the device 100 is configured to achieve the first flow of fluid i.e., drawing the fluid into the fluid retaining member 110 at the predetermined speed (50 percent of the maximum operational speed of the motor).
[0048] At step 308, subsequent double actuation of the first actuator 202 is determined by the device 100.
[0049] At step 310, the first flow of fluid at a reduced speed is achieved by subsequent double actuation of the first actuator 202. For example, during operation, when the first flow of fluid is being carried out at the predetermined speed, the user can actuate the first actuator 202 twice to reduce the speed of the motor. When the user actuates the first actuator 202 twice, the device 100 is configured to drop the voltage supply to the motor, thereby reducing the speed of the motor from the predetermined speed to reduced speed which can be, but not limited to, 10 percent of its maximum operational speed. The first flow of fluid is thereby achieved at the reduced speed. This enables the user to draw the fluid into the fluid retaining member 110 precisely as the speed of the motor is significantly reduced.
[0050] At step 314, the motor continues to operate at the predetermined speed if device 100 does not detect subsequent double actuation of the first actuator 202. In this case the first flow of the fluid continues at the predetermined speed until the device 100 detects double actuations of the first actuator 202.
[0051] At step 312, single actuation of the first actuator 202 is determined by the device 100.
[0052] At step 314, the speed of the motor is changed back to the predetermined speed from the reduced speed with a single actuation of the first actuator 202. For example, during operation, when the device 100 is operating at the reduced speed, the user, if required, can change the speed of the motor from the reduced speed to the predetermined speed with a single actuation of the first actuator 202. The first flow of fluid is thereby achieved at the predetermined speed.
[0053] At step 316, the second actuator 204 is actuated once to achieve the second flow of fluid at the predetermined speed. For example, when the user actuates the second actuator 204 once, the device 100 is configured to switch from the first flow to the second flow to thereby enable the second flow of fluid at the predetermined speed. This allows the user to draw the fluid out from the fluid retaining member 110 which was drawn in and retained in the fluid retaining member 110.
[0054] At step 318, subsequent double actuation of the second actuator 204 is determined by the device 100.
[0055] At step 320, the second flow of fluid at a reduced speed is achieved by subsequent double actuation of the second actuator 204. For example, during operation, when the second flow of fluid is being carried out at the predetermined speed, the user can actuate the second actuator 204 twice to reduce the speed of the motor. When the user actuates the second actuator 204 twice, the device 100 is configured to drop the voltage supply to the motor, thereby reducing the speed of the motor from the predetermined speed to reduced speed which can be, but not limited to, 10 percent of its maximum operational speed. The second flow of fluid is thereby achieved at the reduced speed. This enables the user to draw the fluid out from the fluid retaining member 110 precisely as the speed of the motor is significantly reduced.
[0056] At step 324, the motor continues to operate at the predetermined speed if device 100 does not detect subsequent double actuation of the second actuator 204. In this case the second flow of the fluid continues at the predetermined speed until the device 100 detects subsequent double actuation of the second actuator 204.
[0057] At step 322, single actuation of the second actuator 204 is determined by the device 100.
[0058] At step 324, the speed of the motor is changed back to the predetermined speed from the reduced speed with a single actuation of the second actuator 204. For example, during operation, when the device 100 is operating at the reduced speed, the user, if required, can change the speed of the motor from the reduced speed back to the predetermined speed with a single actuation of the second actuator 204. The second flow of fluid is then thereby achieved at the predetermined speed.
[0059] At step 326, the process may be repeated from step 306 wherein the first actuator 202 may be actuated once to then achieve the first flow of fluid at the predetermined speed and furthermore. For example, when the user actuates the first actuator 202 once, the device 100 is then configured to switch to the first flow from the second flow to thereby enable the first flow of fluid at the predetermined speed, thereby enabling the user to draw the fluid into the fluid retaining member 110.
[0060] In an embodiment, the device 100 may be configured to be operated at the predetermined speed throughout the operation or may be configured to operate at the reduced speed throughout the operation.
GRAVITY MODE
[0061] Having provided the operation of the device 100 in the power mode, the operation of the device 100 in the gravity mode is now provided in greater detail.
[0062] In an embodiment, the device 100 is configured to operate in a gravity mode, wherein the operation of transferring the fluid is achieved partially with the assistance of the motor in the device 100 and partially without the assistance of the motor in the device 100.
[0063] In an embodiment, the first flow of the fluid (drawing the fluid into the fluid retaining member 110) may be achieved by operating the motor and the second flow of the fluid (drawing the fluid out from the fluid retaining member 110) may be achieved via gravity without operating the motor.
[0064] Referring to FIG. 4, operation of the device 100 in gravity mode is disclosed, in accordance with an embodiment.
[0065] In an embodiment, at step 402 a predetermined speed of the motor for the device 100 is set by a user using the third actuator 206. For example, the user, based on the requirement, sets a predetermined speed of the motor. Let’s say the user sets the predetermined speed of the motor to be 50 percent of the maximum operating speed of the motor. By setting the predetermined speed of the motor to 50 percent of its maximum operating speed, the device 100 is now configured to cap the operation of the motor at 50 percent of its maximum speed until the predetermined speed is changed by the user.
[0066] At step 404, the device 100 is set to gravity mode by actuating the dedicated button 214. A single press of the dedicated button 214 enables the device 100 switch to gravity mode. The indicator is configured to light up (switched ON) thereby indicating that the device 100 is now working in gravity mode.
[0067] At step 406, the first flow of fluid at the predetermined speed is achieved by actuating the first actuator 202 once. For example, the device 100 is configured to achieve the first flow of fluid i.e., drawing the fluid into the fluid retaining member 110 at the predetermined speed (50 percent of the maximum operational speed of the motor).
[0068] At step 408, subsequent double actuation of the first actuator 202 is determined by the device 100.
[0069] At step 410, the first flow of fluid at a reduced speed is achieved by subsequent double actuation of the first actuator 202. For example, during operation, when the first flow of fluid is being carried out at the predetermined speed, the user can actuate the first actuator 202 twice to reduce the speed of the motor. When the user actuates the first actuator 202 twice, the device 100 is configured to drop the voltage supply to the motor, thereby reducing the speed of the motor from the predetermined speed to reduced speed which can be, but not limited to, 10 percent of its maximum operational speed. The first flow of fluid is thereby achieved at the reduced speed. This enables the user to draw the fluid into the fluid retaining member 110 precisely as the speed of the motor is significantly reduced.
[0070] At step 414, the motor continues to operate at the predetermined speed if device 100 does not detect subsequent double actuation of the first actuator 202. In this case the first flow of the fluid continues at the predetermined speed until the device 100 detects subsequent double actuation of the first actuator 202.
[0071] At step 412, single actuation of the first actuator 202 is determined by the device 100.
[0072] At step 414, the speed of the motor is changed back to the predetermined speed from the reduced speed with a single actuation of the first actuator 202. For example, during operation, when the device 100 is operating at the reduced speed, the user, if required, can change the speed of the motor from the reduced speed to the predetermined speed with a single actuation of the first actuator 202. The first flow of fluid is thereby achieved at the predetermined speed.
[0073] At step 416, the second actuator 204 is actuated once to cut off the power supply to the motor to thereby achieve the second flow of fluid. In the instant case the second flow of the fluid is by gravity and not with the assistance of the motor which is achieved by cutting off the power supply to the motor when the second actuator 204 is actuated once. This allows the user to draw the fluid out from the fluid retaining member 110 which was drawn in and retained in the fluid retaining member 110.
[0074] At step 418, the process may be repeated from step 406 wherein the first actuator 202 may be actuated once to then achieve the first flow of fluid at the predetermined speed. For example, when the user actuates the first actuator 202 once, the device 100 is then configured switch from the second flow to the first flow to thereby enable the first flow of fluid at the predetermined speed, thereby enabling the user to draw the fluid into the fluid retaining member 110.
[0075] In an embodiment, the method of device 100 for dynamic control of fluid transfer is disclosed. The method comprises of providing the device 100 with a main body 102 that may be configured to be connected to a fluid retaining member 110, providing a processing module that may be configured to be connected to a motor for controlling speed of the motor for transferring fluid through the fluid retaining member 110, providing a first actuator 202, a second actuator 204 and a third actuator 206, wherein the third actuator 206 may be configured to set a predetermined speed of transferring the fluid through the fluid retaining member 110, and the first and the second actuator 204 may be configured to achieve a first flow of fluid and a second flow of fluid, respectively. The first flow of fluid at the predetermined speed may be achieved by a single actuation of the first actuator 202. The second flow of fluid the predetermined speed may be achieved by a single actuation of the second actuator 204. The first flow or the second flow of fluid at a reduced speed may be achieved by subsequent double actuation of the first actuator 202 or the second actuator 204, respectively.
[0076] The processes described above is described as a sequence of steps. This was done solely for the sake of illustration. Accordingly, it is contemplated that some steps may be added, some steps may be omitted, the order of the steps may be re-arranged, or some steps may be performed simultaneously.
[0077] Although embodiments have been described with reference to specific example embodiments, it will be evident that various modifications and changes may be made to these embodiments without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the system and method described herein. Accordingly, the specification and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense.
[0078] Many alterations and modifications of the present invention will no doubt become apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art after having read the foregoing description. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. It is to be understood that the description above contains many specifications, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention but as merely providing illustrations of some of the personally preferred embodiments of this invention.
, Claims:CLAIMS
I/We claim:
1. A device (100) for dynamic control of fluid transfer comprising:
a main body (102) configured to be connected to a fluid retaining member (110) for transferring of fluid;
a processing module connected to a motor for controlling speed of the motor for transferring the fluid through the fluid retaining member (110);
a first actuator (202);
a second actuator (204); and
a third actuator (206) for setting a predetermined speed for transferring fluid through the fluid retaining member (110), wherein:
the processing module is connected to the first actuator (202), the second actuator (204) and the third actuator (206);
a first flow of the fluid into the fluid retaining member (110) at the predetermined speed is enabled with a single actuation of the first actuator (202);
a second flow of the fluid from the fluid retaining member (110) at the predetermined speed is enabled with a single actuation of the second actuator (204);
subsequent double actuation of the first actuator (202) or the second actuator (204) changes the speed of the first flow or the second flow of the fluid from the predetermined speed to a reduced speed; and
the speed of the first flow or the second flow of the fluid is changed back to the predetermined speed from the reduced speed with a single actuation of the first actuator (202) or the second actuator (204).
2. The device (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the predetermined speed is equal to or less than maximum operational speed of the motor.
3. The device (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein,
the first flow is drawing the fluid into the fluid retaining member (110); and
the second flow is drawing out the fluid from the fluid retaining member (110).
4. The device (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the device (100) comprises a battery (208) for powering the motor of the device (100).
5. The device (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the speed of the motor is changed by varying voltage supply to the motor.
6. The device (100) as claimed in claim 5, wherein:
the speed of the motor is increased by stepping up the voltage supply to the motor; and
the speed of the motor is reduced by stepping down the voltage supply to the motor.
7. The device (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the motor is connected to a pump, wherein the pump is configured to enable transferring of the fluid through the fluid retaining member (110).
8. The device (100) as claimed in claim 1, comprises of a dedicated button (214), wherein single actuation of the dedicated button (214) is configured to switch mode of operation of the device (100).
9. A method of a device (100) for dynamic control of fluid transfer comprising:
providing a main body (102) configured to be connected to a fluid retaining member (110) for transferring of fluid;
providing a processing module connected to a motor for controlling speed of the motor for transferring the fluid through the fluid retaining member (110);
providing a first actuator (202);
providing a second actuator (204); and
providing a third actuator (206) for setting a predetermined speed for transferring fluid through the fluid retaining member (110), wherein:
the processing module is connected to the first actuator (202), the second actuator (204) and the third actuator (206);
a first flow of the fluid into the fluid retaining member (110) at the predetermined speed is enabled with a single actuation of the first actuator (202);
a second flow of the fluid from the fluid retaining member (110) at the predetermined speed is enabled with a single actuation of the second actuator (204); and
subsequent double actuation of the first actuator (202) or the second actuator (204) changes the speed of the first flow or the second flow of the fluid from the predetermined speed to a reduced speed.
10. The method as claimed in claim 8, wherein a single actuation of the first or the second actuator (204) changes the speed of the motor back to the predetermined speed from the reduced speed.