Introduction
ProblemInability to measure the amount of liquid in an opaque container
InspirationThe failure to detect the amount of beer remaining in a keg
Solution A liquid management system that checks the liquid level in a container, sends low level warnings, and links to a software that stores information about the liquid
Current Competitors
Auper SystemsUses a flow meter Targets bar ownersStarts at $252.00 (for two flow meters)
Siemens (SITRANS LR250)Uses radarTargets industrial needs
Customer Needs
Measurement The ability to measure the amount of liquid left
in a container by weight. The ability to accurately measures the amount
of liquid left in a container.
Liquid Monitoring System Requires little maintenance. Can be used for inventory tracking.
Customer Needs
Liquid Monitoring Device Features The liquid monitoring device is protected from
accidental spills. The liquid monitoring device will not fail after heavy
usage. The liquid monitoring device can be easily installed. The liquid monitoring device provides a warning when
the container is empty. The liquid monitoring system measures the amount of
liquid remaining in a non-transparent container.
Customer Needs
Liquid Management Software Features Special training is not required to be able to
operate the liquid management software. The liquid management software can interface
with a computer. The liquid management software provides a
warning to the user if the container is almost empty.
No user interaction is needed to maintain the liquid management software.
Target Specifications
Metric No.
Need Nos.
Metric Imp. Units
Marginal Value
Ideal Value
1 1,2 Amount of liquid remaining in container 5 kg <0.3 <0.2 2 3 Maintenance 3 hr <0.3 <0.1 3 5,6 Power consumption 4 W <0.8 <0.5 4 7,14,30 Ease of use 4 hr <0.1 <0.1 5 9,10 Mobility of liquid monitoring device 4 Subj. 4 5 6 11-13 Durability 5 Subj. 4 5 7 18 Distance of wireless communication 3 m >50 >100 8 23-29 Size of liquid monitoring device 5 m3 <3,000 <2,500 9 42-44 Price 5 US$ <500 <250
Liquid Monitoring Device Functional Decomposition
Store or accept external energy
Apply to sub-functions
Determine amount of liquid in container
Check for change
Energy
Container Information Sent
Audio/Visual Output
Send Information to software
Secure container to liquid monitoring
device
Output information externally
Liquid Monitoring Device Functional Description
Inputs Energy A single container of liquid
Outputs Information sent to Liquid Management Software Audio/visual output of information
o Amount of liquid in container o Warning if container is “low”
Critical Sub Problems Descriptions Store or accept external energy Energy is stored or accepted. Apply to sub functions Energy is distributed throughout the system to sub functions. Secure container to Liquid Monitoring Device The Liquid Monitoring Device is mounted and secured to the container being
measured. Determine amount of liquid in container The Liquid Monitoring Device determines the amount of liquid remaining in the
container. Send information to Liquid Management Software
The amount liquid left in the container is sent over a medium to the Liquid Management Software.
Check for change Determine if the amount of liquid in the container has changed. This internal signal allows updated information to be sent to the Liquid Management Software and physical output.
Output information externally A physical output on the Liquid management system is used to notify a user of the status of the container.
Liquid Management Software Functional Decomposition
Store informationOutput information
externally
Add/remove Liquid Monitoring Device(s)
Information
User Input
Audio/Visual Output
Notify user(s) Notification(s) SentSet container
attributes
Liquid Management Software Functional Description
Inputs Information from Liquid Monitoring Device User input
o Addition/subtraction of Liquid Monitoring device o Change the attributes of a container o Method of notification
Outputs Audio/visual output of current status and history of container(s) Notification of a “low” container
Critical Sub Problems Descriptions Store information A method to store the information being sent in from the Liquid Monitoring
Devices. Output information externally A physical output that is used to notify a user of the status and history of the
container(s). Add/remove Liquid Monitoring Device(s) Increase or decrease the number of Liquid Monitoring Devices that the Liquid
Management Software interfaces with. Set container attributes Allow the user to enter attributes for each Liquid Monitoring Device currently being
used. Notify User(s) A method to notify the user(s) that a container is “low”.
Sub Solutions
Liquid Monitoring DeviceDip Stick
An electronic dipstick sits on top of the container. Connected to the dipstick is an antenna which is inserted through a small hole in the top of the container. Any pressure inside the container is retained through the use of an “O” ring. The electronic dipstick emits a signal along the antenna. The time difference between pulse reflection at the top of the tank and reflection at the liquids surface indicates the amount of liquid remaining.
Sub Solutions
Liquid Monitoring DeviceFuel Gauge
The fuel gauge is similar to one in a car. It consists of a float connected to an arm which slides along a variable resistor. The height of the float determines the resistance, which in turns is able to display the amount of liquid left in a container. The fuel gauge unit is physically part of the container.
Sub Solutions
Liquid Monitoring DeviceWeight
A scale is placed underneath the container. An initial calibration reading when the container is empty is needed. It then calculates the amount of liquid remaining depending on the weight of the container and liquid inside.
Sub Solutions
Output Information Externally (Liquid Monitoring Device)
Blinking LightThis is a very cheap method of displaying a “low amount” warning. It can be easily constructed with LEDs and the rate at which it flashes enables it to display multiple levels of liquid remaining.
Digital Display (static)This is able to display more details than the blinking light method. It would be able to display numerical values instead of only flashes making it an attractive way of providing information.
Voice NotificationA voice notification method is able to alert users of low levels if the users are not able to check on container. This would be appealing to people who do not want to constantly check on the liquid containers for low levels. Using a voice notification would also be able to provide more information than other audio alert methods such as bells and whistles.
Scrolling SignThe scrolling sign is perhaps the most appealing method of displaying information, especially useful when aesthetics are important. It provides the same amount of information as the digital display.
Sub Solutions
Output Information Externally (Liquid Management Software)
GUI/Web PageThese two methods are combined into one because they both use computers as a medium for displaying information. The GUI allows users to interface with the Liquid Management Software. The web page is an easy method for users to check on their liquid levels remotely from anywhere that has internet access.
Digital Display (static)This is able to display more details than the blinking light method. It would be able to display numerical values making it an attractive way of providing information.
Scrolling SignThe scrolling sign is perhaps the most appealing method of displaying information, especially useful when aesthetics are important. It provides the same amount of information as the digital display.
Final Concept
Liquid Monitoring DeviceWeight
Liquid Monitoring Device DisplayBlinking Light
Liquid Management SoftwareGUI/Web Page
NotificationEmail
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