Carbonizer assembly and sparkling water equipment
By designing a carbonizer assembly with multiple mixing chambers and impellers in a household bubble water equipment, the problem of too low carbon dioxide concentration for the equipment preparation of sparkling water is solved, and more efficient gas-liquid mixing is achieved, and bubble water with higher concentration and better taste is prepared.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202510466291.1
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-04-14
- Publication Date
- 2025-06-13
AI Technical Summary
The carbon dioxide concentration of sparkling water prepared by household sparkling water equipment is too low to meet user needs.
A carbonizer assembly is designed, including a base, multiple impellers and an upper cover. The base is equipped with multiple mixing chambers. The impeller rotates under the action of water flow to further mix carbon dioxide gas and water to improve the gas-liquid mixing efficiency.
Through the coordinated work of multiple mixing chambers and impellers, the number and time of gas-liquid mixing is significantly improved, and the gas-liquid mass transfer efficiency is effectively improved, so that the prepared bubble water concentration is higher and the taste is better.
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Figure CN120132632A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of household appliances, and particularly relates to a carbonator assembly and a sparkling water device. Background Art
[0002] Sparkling water is a beverage prepared by dissolving carbon dioxide gas in water. In a household environment, a sparkling water device is often used to prepare sparkling water; however, the carbon dioxide concentration of the sparkling water prepared in a household environment is too low to meet the user's needs. Summary of the Invention
[0003] The main object of the present invention is to provide a carbonator assembly and a sparkling water device, aiming to increase the concentration of the prepared sparkling water.
[0004] To achieve the above object, the carbonator assembly proposed by the present invention includes a base, a plurality of impellers, and an upper cover; the base includes a main body portion, an inlet pipe and an outlet pipe connected to the main body portion, the main body portion is provided with a plurality of mixing chambers, the inlet pipe and the outlet pipe communicate with the plurality of mixing chambers, and any two adjacent mixing chambers among the plurality of mixing chambers are communicated through a mixing flow channel; the plurality of impellers are correspondingly arranged in the plurality of mixing chambers one by one; the upper cover is connected to the main body portion and covers the mixing chamber; wherein, the inlet pipe is used for flowing in water mixed with carbon dioxide gas, the impeller is used for rotating under the action of the water flow to further mix the water mixed with carbon dioxide gas, and flows out through the outlet pipe.
[0005] In one embodiment, a rotating shaft is provided in the mixing chamber, the impeller is sleeved on the rotating shaft and is in clearance fit with the rotating shaft.
[0006] In one embodiment, the impeller includes a rotating portion and a blade portion connected to each other, the plurality of blade portions are arranged at intervals along the circumference of the rotating portion, and the rotating portion is sleeved on the rotating shaft.
[0007] In one embodiment, the impeller is in clearance fit with the inner wall of the mixing chamber, and the distance between the end of the blade portion away from the rotating portion and the inner wall of the mixing chamber ranges from 0.3 mm to 0.6 mm.
[0008] In one embodiment, the plurality of mixing chambers include a first mixing chamber close to the inlet pipe and a second mixing chamber close to the outlet pipe; the first mixing chamber is communicated with the inlet pipe through a first flow channel, and the second mixing chamber and the outlet pipe are communicated through a second flow channel.
[0009] In one embodiment, the first flow channel is tapered in the direction from the inlet pipe to the first mixing chamber, and the second flow channel is tapered in the direction from the second mixing chamber to the outlet pipe.
[0010] In one embodiment, the number of the mixing chambers is 2 - 12, and the multiple mixing chambers are arranged at intervals in multiple rows and columns.
[0011] In one embodiment, any one of the multiple mixing chambers communicates with two adjacent mixing chambers through two mixing channels; wherein, an included angle α is formed between the axes of the two mixing channels, satisfying 8° ≤ α ≤ 18°.
[0012] In one embodiment, the distance range between the inner wall surface of the rotating part and the rotating shaft is between 0.1 mm and 0.3 mm.
[0013] In one embodiment, a recessed area is provided on one side of the main body part facing the upper cover, and the multiple mixing chambers are arranged in the recessed area; the carbonizer assembly further includes a sealing gasket, and the sealing gasket is embedded in the recessed area.
[0014] In one embodiment, a plurality of first connection holes are provided on the outer periphery of the recessed area, and a plurality of first mating holes corresponding to the plurality of first connection holes are provided on the upper cover, and the plurality of first connection holes and the plurality of first mating holes are used for screwing.
[0015] In one embodiment, the recessed area further has a plurality of second connection holes, the plurality of second connection holes are arranged close to the plurality of mixing chambers, the upper cover is provided with a plurality of second mating holes corresponding to the plurality of second connection holes, and the plurality of second connection holes and the plurality of second mating holes are used for screwing.
[0016] In one embodiment, the carbonizer assembly further includes a gas - mixing Venturi tube, the gas - mixing Venturi tube includes a tube body, an inlet section, an air inlet section and an outlet section connected to the tube body, the inlet section is for water inlet, the air inlet section is for carbon dioxide gas inlet, the outlet section is communicated with the inlet pipe, and the gas - mixing Venturi tube is used for mixing carbon dioxide gas and water and flowing out from the outlet section.
[0017] In one embodiment, the tube body is provided with a contraction section, a throat section and an expansion section, the inlet section is connected to the contraction section, and two ends of the expansion section are respectively connected to the throat section and the outlet section; the tube body is further provided with an air cavity, and the air inlet section is communicated with the throat section through the air cavity.
[0018] The present invention also provides a sparkling water device, which includes the carbonator assembly. The carbonator assembly includes a base, a plurality of impellers, and an upper cover; the base includes a main body portion, an inlet pipe and an outlet pipe connected to the main body portion, the main body portion is provided with a plurality of mixing chambers, the inlet pipe and the outlet pipe communicate with the plurality of mixing chambers, and any two adjacent mixing chambers among the plurality of mixing chambers are communicated through a mixing flow channel; the plurality of impellers are respectively arranged in the plurality of mixing chambers; the upper cover is connected to the main body portion and covers the mixing chambers; wherein, the inlet pipe is used for flowing in water mixed with carbon dioxide gas, and the impeller is used for rotating under the action of water flow to further mix the water mixed with carbon dioxide gas, and the mixed water flows out through the outlet pipe.
[0019] In the technical solution of the present invention, a plurality of mixing chambers are arranged in the main body portion of the carbonator assembly, and an impeller is arranged in each mixing chamber, and the inlet pipe and the outlet pipe of the carbonator assembly are both communicated with the plurality of mixing chambers. In this way, the water mixed with carbon dioxide gas flowing into the mixing chamber through the inlet pipe directly drives the impeller to rotate at a high speed. When the impeller rotates, the shearing and pressurizing effects on the water fluid mixed with carbon dioxide gas further improve the gas-liquid mixing effect. The coordinated work of the plurality of mixing chambers and the impellers greatly increases the number and time of gas-liquid mixing, effectively improves the gas-liquid mass transfer efficiency, and makes the prepared sparkling water have a higher concentration and better taste. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the following will briefly introduce the drawings required for use in the description of the embodiments or the prior art. Obviously, the following drawings are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those of ordinary skill in the art, without creative efforts, other drawings can be obtained based on the structures shown in these drawings.
[0021] Figure 1 It is an exploded view of the structure of an embodiment of the carbonator assembly provided by the present invention;
[0022] Figure 2 is Figure 1 a partial structural schematic diagram of the structure in
[0023] Figure 3 is Figure 2 a structural schematic diagram of another perspective of the structure in
[0024] Figure 4 is Figure 3 a partial enlarged view of part A in
[0025] Figure 5 is Figure 3 a partial enlarged view of part B in
[0026] Figure 6 Schematic diagram of the structure of the gas mixing Venturi tube of the carburetor assembly provided by the present invention.
[0027] Description of the reference numerals in the drawings:
[0028] 1. Carburetor assembly;
[0029] 10. Base; 10a. Mixed flow channel; 10b. First flow channel; 10c. Second flow channel;
[0030] 11. Main body part; 11a. Concave area; 11b. Connection area; 111. Mixed flow cavity; 111a. First mixed flow cavity; 111b. Second mixed flow cavity; 112. Rotating shaft; 113. First connection hole; 114. Second connection hole;
[0031] 12. Inlet pipe; 13. Outlet pipe;
[0032] 20. Impeller; 21. Rotating part; 22. Blade part; 30. Upper cover; 31. First mating hole; 32. Second mating hole; 40. Sealing gasket; 50. Screw;
[0033] 60. Gas mixing Venturi tube; 61. Tube body; 611. Converging section; 612. Throat section; 613. Diverging section; 614. Gas cavity; 62. Inlet section; 63. Air intake section; 64. Outlet section.
[0034] The realization, functional features and advantages of the object of the present invention will be further described with reference to the embodiments and the accompanying drawings. Detailed implementation manners
[0035] Next, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described with reference to the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present invention, rather than all of the embodiments. All other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art based on the embodiments of the present invention without creative efforts shall fall within the protection scope of the present invention.
[0036] It should be noted that if there are directional indications (such as up, down, left, right, front, back...) involved in the embodiments of the present invention, the directional indications are only used to explain the relative position relationship and movement conditions between components in a specific posture. If the specific posture changes, the directional indications will also change accordingly.
[0037] In addition, if the embodiments of the present invention involve descriptions such as "first", "second", etc., the descriptions of "first", "second", etc. are for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying their relative importance or implicitly indicating the quantity of the indicated technical features. Thus, the features defined with "first", "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one such feature. In addition, if "and / or" or "and / or" appears throughout the text, its meaning includes three parallel scenarios. Taking "A and / or B" as an example, it includes Scenario A, or Scenario B, or the scenario where both A and B are satisfied simultaneously. In addition, the technical solutions between various embodiments can be combined with each other, but it must be based on the ability of those of ordinary skill in the art to implement. When the combination of technical solutions is contradictory or cannot be implemented, it should be considered that such a combination of technical solutions does not exist and is not within the scope of protection required by the present invention.
[0038] Sparkling water is a beverage prepared by dissolving carbon dioxide gas in water. In a household environment, a sparkling water device is often used to prepare sparkling water; however, the carbon dioxide concentration of the sparkling water prepared in a household environment is too low to meet the user's needs. The present invention provides a carbonator assembly that can further increase the concentration of the prepared sparkling water, making the taste of the sparkling water better.
[0039] Please refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 , in an embodiment of the present invention, the carbonator assembly 1 includes a base 10, a plurality of impellers 20, and an upper cover 30; the base 10 includes a main body portion 11, an inlet pipe 12 and an outlet pipe 13 connected to the main body portion 11. The main body portion 11 is provided with a plurality of mixing chambers 111. The inlet pipe 12 and the outlet pipe 13 are communicated with the plurality of mixing chambers 111. Any two adjacent mixing chambers 111 among the plurality of mixing chambers 111 are communicated through a mixing flow channel 10a; the plurality of impellers 20 are respectively arranged in the plurality of mixing chambers 111; the upper cover 30 is connected to the main body portion 11 and covers the mixing chambers 111; wherein, the inlet pipe 12 is used for flowing in water mixed with carbon dioxide gas, and the impeller 20 is used to rotate under the action of the water flow to further mix the water mixed with carbon dioxide gas, and flow out through the outlet pipe 13.
[0040] Specifically, the carbonator assembly 1 of this embodiment is applied to a sparkling water device and mainly consists of a base 10, a plurality of impellers 20, and an upper cover 30. The base 10 is the basic support structure of the carbonator assembly 1. The main body 11 is usually designed in a block shape and is made of food-grade PP (polypropylene) material. This is because the PP material not only has a relatively low cost but also has good corrosion resistance and meets the food contact safety standards. The inlet pipe 12 and the outlet pipe 13 are respectively connected to both sides of the main body 11. They are cylindrical pipes and are integrally formed with the main body 11, ensuring the structural stability and sealing performance. The material is also food-grade PP. At the same time, the inlet pipe 12 and the outlet pipe 13 are respectively connected to both sides of the main body 11, which is convenient for arranging a plurality of mixing chambers 111 and a plurality of mixing channels 10a inside the main body 11, improving the mixing effect of carbon dioxide gas and water.
[0041] Please refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 , a plurality of mixing chambers 111 are arranged inside the main body 11. These mixing chambers 111 are distributed at intervals in multiple rows and columns, and the number is between 2 and 12. In this embodiment, 6 are selected and arranged in a layout of 3 rows and 2 columns. Each mixing chamber 111 is a cylindrical cavity with a diameter of 30 mm and a depth of 20 mm, ensuring sufficient space for gas-liquid mixing. The mixing chambers 111 are connected by mixing channels 10a with a circular cross-section, and the diameter of the channels is 8 mm, ensuring the smooth flow of the gas-liquid mixed fluid. The inlet pipe 12 and the outlet pipe 13 are connected to each mixing chamber 111, enabling the water mixed with carbon dioxide gas to circulate inside the main body 11.
[0042] A plurality of impellers 20 are installed corresponding to the plurality of mixing chambers 111 one by one. Each impeller 20 consists of a rotating part 21 and a blade part 22. The rotating part 21 is a cylindrical sleeve structure, and the inner diameter is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the rotating shaft 112 inside the mixing chamber 111. In this embodiment, the inner diameter of the rotating part 21 is 10 mm, and it has a clearance fit with the rotating shaft 112. The clearance distance is controlled between 0.1 and 0.3 mm, and 0.2 mm is taken in this embodiment. Such a clearance setting can not only ensure that the impeller 20 can rotate freely under the push of water flow but also effectively reduce the leakage of the gas-liquid mixed fluid. The number of blade parts 22 is 8, and they are evenly distributed at intervals along the circumferential direction of the rotating part 21. The blade part 22 is made of a thin plate of food-grade stainless steel material. This material has good strength and corrosion resistance and can work stably under the action of the impeller 20 rotating at high speed. Or it can also be made of food-grade PP (polypropylene) material, and no specific limitation is made in this regard. The whole impeller 20 has a clearance fit with the wall of the mixing chamber 111, and the distance between the end of the blade part 22 far from the rotating part 21 and the wall of the mixing chamber 111 is 0.5 mm. This clearance is ensured through precise mold manufacturing and processing technology. The appropriate clearance can not only avoid excessive friction between the impeller 20 and the chamber wall resulting in wear but also prevent excessive clearance from causing leakage of the gas-liquid mixed fluid, ensuring the smooth rotation of the impeller 20 and the gas-liquid mixing effect.
[0043] Please refer to Figure 1 , the upper cover 30 is a plate-like structure, and the material is also food-grade PP material. It is connected to the main body 11 by screws 50. The upper cover 30 covers the above the mixing cavity 111, playing a role in protecting the internal structure and sealing, preventing the leakage of the gas-liquid mixed fluid, and ensuring a stable working environment inside the main body 11.
[0044] The water mixed with carbon dioxide gas flowing into the inlet pipe 12 is carbonated water with a certain concentration. In order to further increase the concentration of the carbonated water, the gas-liquid mixed fluid enters the mixing cavity 111 from the inlet pipe 12 of the carbonator assembly 1. The fluid pushes the impeller 20 to rotate at a high speed. The high-speed rotation of the impeller 20 causes the pressure in the mixing cavity 111 to gradually increase from its inlet side to the outlet side. The increased pressure promotes the gas-liquid mass transfer efficiency of carbon dioxide and water. The high-speed rotation of the impeller 20 causes a part of the gas-liquid mixed fluid to hit the cavity wall of the mixing cavity 111 at a high speed, generating an instantaneous high pressure. The gas-liquid mixed fluid is sheared at a high speed by the impeller 20, and the bubbles are further chopped, increasing the specific surface area of the gas-liquid mass transfer. The gas-liquid mixed fluid passes through multiple mixing cavities 111, and the shearing and pressurizing effects of the impeller 20 further improve the gas-liquid mixing effect, thereby increasing the concentration of the carbonated water. Generally speaking, the coordinated work of multiple mixing cavities 111 and the impeller 20 greatly increases the number and time of gas-liquid mixing, effectively improves the gas-liquid mass transfer efficiency, and makes the prepared carbonated water have a higher concentration and better taste.
[0045] The technical solution of the present invention is to set multiple mixing cavities 111 in the main body 11 of the carbonator assembly 1, and set an impeller 20 in each mixing cavity 111, and both the inlet pipe 12 and the outlet pipe 13 of the carbonator assembly 1 are communicated with multiple mixing cavities 111. In this way, the water mixed with carbon dioxide gas flowing into the mixing cavity 111 through the inlet pipe 12 directly pushes the impeller 20 to rotate at a high speed. The shearing and pressurizing effects of the impeller 20 on the water fluid mixed with carbon dioxide gas further improve the gas-liquid mixing effect. The coordinated work of multiple mixing cavities 111 and the impeller 20 greatly increases the number and time of gas-liquid mixing, effectively improves the gas-liquid mass transfer efficiency, and makes the prepared carbonated water have a higher concentration and better taste.
[0046] Please refer to Figure 2 , Figure 4 and Figure 5, in one embodiment, a rotating shaft 112 is provided in the mixed-flow chamber 111. The impeller 20 is sleeved on the rotating shaft 112 and is in clearance fit with the rotating shaft 112. Specifically, the rotating shaft 112 is provided in the mixed-flow chamber 111, and the rotating shaft 112 is integrally formed with the main body portion 11, which is convenient for production and manufacturing. The rotating portion 21 of the impeller 20 is sleeved on the rotating shaft 112, and the two are in clearance fit. The design of the clearance fit ensures that the impeller 20 can rotate flexibly and freely around the rotating shaft 112 under the action of water flow. This connection method is simple and reliable, providing strong support for the stable rotation of the impeller 20. The setting of the rotating shaft 112 provides a stable rotation center for the impeller 20, enabling the impeller 20 to rotate continuously and stably in the mixed-flow chamber 111. This not only enhances the stability of the gas-liquid mixing process but also ensures that the impeller 20 can always stir and mix the gas-liquid mixed fluid in an efficient state, helping to improve the quality of the prepared bubble water and ensuring that each batch of bubble water can meet stable quality standards.
[0047] Please refer to Figure 2 , Figure 4 and Figure 5 , in one embodiment, the impeller 20 includes a connected rotating portion 21 and blade portions 22. A plurality of blade portions 22 are arranged at intervals along the circumference of the rotating portion 21, and the rotating portion 21 is sleeved on the rotating shaft 112.
[0048] Specifically, the rotating portion 21 and the blade portions 22 of the impeller 20 are integrally formed, which is convenient for production and manufacturing. The rotating portion 21 is generally arranged in a cylindrical shape and is sleeved on the rotating shaft 112. The blade portions 22 can be set as straight plates or arc-shaped thin plates. The blade portions 22 set as straight plates are convenient for production and manufacturing; the blade portions 22 set as arc-shaped thin plates extend radially outward from the outer circumference of the rotating portion 21. This arc design has been verified by fluid dynamics simulation and experiments and can better guide the water flow, enhancing the shearing effect on the gas-liquid mixed fluid when the impeller 20 rotates, so that the bubbles can be more fully mixed with the water. The structure of the impeller 20 enables the impeller 20 to more efficiently shear the bubbles in the mixed fluid during rotation, increasing the specific surface area of gas-liquid mass transfer. This means that more carbon dioxide gas can be dissolved in the water, further improving the gas-liquid mixing effect, thereby enhancing the concentration and quality of the bubble water and bringing a better drinking experience to consumers.
[0049] Furthermore, the number of blade portions 22 is set to be 6 - 18. Exemplarily, it can be 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, or 18. In this embodiment, the number of blade portions 22 is set to 8. This number is determined through a large number of experiments and simulation analyses. During the experiments, impellers 20 with different numbers of blades were respectively tested to observe their influence on the gas-liquid mixing effect. The results showed that the impeller 20 with 8 blades can provide sufficient shear force while ensuring rotational balance, and fully stir and mix the gas-liquid mixed fluid.
[0050] Please refer to Figure 2 、 Figure 4 and Figure 5 , in an embodiment, the impeller 20 is in clearance fit with the cavity wall of the mixed flow cavity 111, and the distance between the end of the blade portion 22 away from the rotating portion 21 and the cavity wall of the mixed flow cavity 111 ranges from 0.3 mm to 0.6 mm.
[0051] Specifically, the impeller 20 and the cavity wall of the mixed flow cavity 111 adopt a clearance fit manner, and the distance between the end of the blade portion 22 away from the rotating portion 21 and the cavity wall of the mixed flow cavity 111 is strictly controlled between 0.3 mm and 0.6 mm. In this embodiment, 0.4 mm is selected. The precise control of this clearance is achieved through advanced mold manufacturing and processing techniques. During the mold design and manufacturing process, the relevant dimensions are accurately controlled, and precision processing equipment is used in the processing link to ensure that the clearance between the impeller 20 of each carburetor assembly 1 and the wall of the mixed flow cavity 111 can meet the design requirements.
[0052] The appropriate clearance plays an important role. On the one hand, it can prevent the impeller 20 from excessive friction with the wall surface of the mixed flow cavity 111 during rotation, reduce wear, and extend the service life of the impeller 20 and the base 10. On the other hand, it can prevent gas-liquid mixed fluid leakage caused by too large a clearance, ensuring the smooth rotation of the impeller 20 and efficient gas-liquid mixing effect. The stable clearance fit helps to improve the working stability and reliability of the carburetor assembly 1, ensuring that the preparation process of bubble water can proceed continuously and stably. Among them, the exemplary values of this clearance can be 0.3 mm, 0.35 mm, 0.4 mm, 0.45 mm, 0.5 mm, 0.55 mm, 0.6 mm.
[0053] Please refer to Figure 2 、 Figure 4 and Figure 5 , in an embodiment, the multiple mixed flow cavities 111 include a first mixed flow cavity 111a near the inlet pipe 12, and a second mixed flow cavity 111b near the outlet pipe 13; the first mixed flow cavity 111a is communicated with the inlet pipe 12 through a first flow channel 10b, and the second mixed flow cavity 111b and the outlet pipe 13 are communicated through a second flow channel 10c.
[0054] Specifically, among the multiple mixing chambers 111, the first mixing chamber 111a is close to the inlet pipe 12, and the second mixing chamber 111b is close to the outlet pipe 13. The first mixing chamber 111a is communicated with the inlet pipe 12 through the first flow channel 10b, and the second mixing chamber 111b and the outlet pipe 13 are communicated through the second flow channel 10c. This layout design enables the gas-liquid mixed fluid to flow orderly in the base 10 along a predetermined path, successively passing through each mixing chamber 111 and fully receiving the stirring and mixing action of the impeller 20. Moreover, the reasonable layout and connection mode of the mixing chambers 111 make the flow of the gas-liquid mixed fluid in the base 10 more orderly. Through the multiple mixing actions of the multiple mixing chambers 111, the efficiency and uniformity of gas-liquid mixing are significantly improved. This helps to improve the quality of the sparkling water, making the bubbles more evenly distributed in the water and the taste more delicate, meeting the needs of consumers for high-quality sparkling water.
[0055] Furthermore, the first flow channel 10b is tapered in the direction from the inlet pipe 12 to the first mixing chamber 111a, and the second flow channel 10c is flared in the direction from the second mixing chamber 111b to the outlet pipe 13.
[0056] Specifically, the first flow channel 10b is tapered in the direction from the inlet pipe 12 to the first mixing chamber 111a, and its inlet end diameter is larger than the outlet end diameter; the second flow channel 10c is flared in the direction from the second mixing chamber 111b to the outlet pipe 13, and its inlet end diameter is smaller than the outlet end diameter. The tapered setting of the first flow channel 10b has an important effect. When the gas-liquid mixed fluid passes through the tapered first flow channel 10b, the cross-sectional area of the flow channel gradually decreases. According to the principle of fluid continuity, the flow velocity of the fluid will increase. When the fluid with an increased flow velocity enters the first mixing chamber 111a, it will push the impeller 20 to rotate with a greater impact force, promoting the impeller 20 to rotate faster and enhancing the stirring and mixing effect on the gas-liquid mixed fluid. The flared setting of the second flow channel 10c helps to reduce the fluid flow velocity and gradually stabilize the pressure. As the cross-sectional area of the flow channel increases, the fluid flow velocity slows down and the pressure gradually returns to stability, which is beneficial for the evenly mixed sparkling water to flow out stably, improves the stability of the sparkling water, reduces the rupture and escape of bubbles during the outflow process, and ensures the quality of the sparkling water.
[0057] Please refer to Figure 2, in one embodiment, the number of the mixing chambers 111 is 2 - 12, and the multiple mixing chambers 111 are arranged at intervals in multiple rows and columns. Specifically, the number of the mixing chambers 111 can be configured to be 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, or 12 exemplarily. In this embodiment, the number of the mixing chambers 111 is set to 8, and they are arranged at intervals in 4 rows and 2 columns. The distance between adjacent mixing chambers 111 is between 10 mm and 30 mm, and such a distance design is determined by comprehensively considering various factors. On the one hand, a sufficient distance facilitates the operations during the processing and installation, ensuring the manufacturing accuracy and installation quality of each mixing chamber 111. On the other hand, an appropriate distance is beneficial to heat dissipation. During the operation of the carbonator assembly 1, heat will be generated during the gas-liquid mixing. A reasonable distance can ensure that the heat is dissipated in time, avoiding the influence of heat accumulation on the performance and stability of the carbonator assembly 1.
[0058] The layout of the mixing chambers 111 in multiple rows and columns greatly increases the path and frequency of gas-liquid mixing. When the gas-liquid mixed fluid flows in the base 10, it will pass through multiple mixing chambers 111 in sequence. Each time it passes through a mixing chamber 111, it will be sheared and pressurized by the impeller 20, making the gas-liquid mixing more sufficient. This sufficient mixing can further improve the carbonation degree of the sparkling water, making the bubbles more fine and evenly distributed in the water, and the taste more rich and refreshing, meeting the pursuit of consumers for high-quality sparkling water.
[0059] Please refer to Figure 3 , in one embodiment, any one of the multiple mixing chambers 111 is communicated with two adjacent mixing chambers 111 through two mixing channels 10a; wherein, an included angle α is formed between the axes of the two mixing channels 10a, and 8° ≤ α ≤ 18°. Specifically, any one of the multiple mixing chambers 111 is communicated with two adjacent mixing chambers 111 through two mixing channels 10a. An included angle α is formed between the axes of the two mixing channels 10a. In this embodiment, α = 10°. The appropriate included angle α has a significant influence on the gas-liquid mixing effect. When the gas-liquid mixed fluid flows between the mixing chambers 111, this included angle can guide the fluid to flow in a specific direction and path, increasing the degree of fluid disturbance. The disturbance of the fluid can make the contact between the gas and the liquid more sufficient, improve the gas-liquid mixing effect, further improve the quality of the sparkling water, and make the taste of the sparkling water more rich and delicate. Among them, the value of the included angle α can be exemplarily 8°, 9°, 10°, 11°, 12°, 13°, 14°, or 15°.
[0060] In one embodiment, the distance between the inner wall surface of the rotating part 21 and the rotating shaft 112 ranges from 0.1 mm to 0.3 mm. Specifically, the distance between the inner wall surface of the rotating part 21 and the rotating shaft 112 is controlled within the range of 0.1 mm to 0.3 mm. Exemplary specific values can be 0.1 mm, 0.15 mm, 0.2 mm, 0.25 mm, 0.3 mm. In this embodiment, the value is taken as 0.2 mm. During the manufacturing process, this gap is controlled through high-precision machining processes. For example, precision grinding, lapping and other processes are used to machine the mating surfaces of the rotating part 21 and the rotating shaft 112 to ensure the accuracy of the gap. At the same time, during the assembly process, strict inspection and screening are carried out on the rotating part 21 and the rotating shaft 112 to ensure that the gap between the two meets the design requirements.
[0061] A suitable gap is crucial for the working efficiency and stability of the carbonator assembly 1. It ensures the smooth rotation of the impeller 20, reduces the energy loss caused by friction, and improves the rotation efficiency of the impeller 20. At the same time, a suitable gap can also prevent the leakage of the gas-liquid mixed fluid, avoid the decline of the gas-liquid mixing effect caused by leakage, ensure that the carbonator assembly 1 can work stably and efficiently, and improve the quality of the prepared bubble water.
[0062] Please refer to Figure 1 , in one embodiment, a recessed area 11a is provided on the side of the main body part 11 facing the upper cover 30, and a plurality of mixed flow cavities 111 are arranged in the recessed area 11a; the carbonator assembly 1 further includes a sealing gasket 40, and the sealing gasket 40 is embedded in the recessed area 11a.
[0063] Specifically, a recessed area 11a is provided on the side of the main body part 11 facing the upper cover 30. The recessed area 11a is a rectangular groove, which is recessed relative to the surface of the main body part 11 facing the upper cover 30. A plurality of mixed flow cavities 111 are arranged in the recessed area 11a, and the carbonator assembly 1 is also equipped with a sealing gasket 40. The sealing gasket 40 is made of food-grade rubber material, such as silicone rubber. Its shape precisely matches the recessed area 11a and can be tightly embedded in the recessed area 11a. Silicone rubber has good elasticity, corrosion resistance and sealing performance, and can effectively fill the gap between the main body part 11 and the upper cover 30 to prevent the leakage of the gas-liquid mixed fluid.
[0064] The setting of the sealing gasket 40 provides reliable sealing performance for the carbonator assembly 1. It effectively prevents the leakage of the gas-liquid mixed fluid from the gap between the main body part 11 and the upper cover 30, ensures the stable pressure inside the carbonator assembly 1, maintains a good gas-liquid mixing environment, improves the working efficiency of the carbonator assembly 1, ensures the smooth progress of the bubble water preparation process, and also avoids the impact of leakage on the equipment and the surrounding environment.
[0065] Please refer to Figure 1, Further, a plurality of first connection holes 113 are provided on the outer periphery of the recessed area 11a, and a plurality of first mating holes 31 are provided on the upper cover 30 corresponding to the plurality of first connection holes 113. The plurality of first connection holes 113 and the plurality of first mating holes 31 are used for screwing in screws 50.
[0066] Specifically, the recessed area 11a is a rectangular groove, and the surface of the main body portion 11 facing the upper cover 30 is also rectangularly arranged. A connection area 11b is formed on the outer periphery of the recessed area 11a. A plurality of first connection holes 113 are provided in the connection area 11b, and the plurality of first connection holes 113 are arranged at intervals along the shape of the connection area 11b, that is, the connecting lines between the plurality of first connection holes 113 are rectangular. To ensure the stability of the connection between the upper cover 30 and the main body portion 11 and the reliability of the seal of the carburetor assembly 1, the number of the first connection holes 113 is at least 10. The upper cover 30 is provided with a corresponding number of first mating holes 31 at the positions corresponding to the first connection holes 113. Among them, the first connection holes 113 can be set as counterbores or through holes. The hole walls of the first connection holes 113 and the first mating holes 31 can be configured as smooth holes, or the first connection holes 113 can be configured as threaded holes, or the first connection holes 113 and the first mating holes 31 can be configured as threaded holes at the same time. The upper cover 30 and the main body portion 11 are firmly connected together by screwing the screws 50 through the first connection holes 113 and the first mating holes 31. When selecting the screws 50, stainless steel screws 50 of appropriate specifications are selected according to the structural strength requirements and the use environment of the carburetor assembly 1 to ensure the reliability and durability of the connection.
[0067] This connection method is simple, practical and reliable, and is convenient for the installation and disassembly of the carburetor assembly 1. During the installation process, the upper cover 30 and the main body portion 11 can be closely fitted by tightening the screws 50 to ensure the firmness of the connection; when the carburetor assembly 1 needs to be maintained or overhauled, the screws 50 can also be conveniently disassembled to separate the upper cover 30 and the main body portion 11. The firm connection ensures the overall structural stability of the carburetor assembly 1, enabling the carburetor assembly 1 to withstand internal pressure and external vibration during operation and ensuring its normal operation.
[0068] Please continue to refer to Figure 1 , Further still, a plurality of second connection holes 114 are also provided in the recessed area 11a. The plurality of second connection holes 114 are arranged close to the plurality of mixing chambers 111. The upper cover 30 is provided with a plurality of second mating holes 32 corresponding to the plurality of second connection holes 114. The plurality of second connection holes 114 and the plurality of second mating holes 32 are used for screwing in screws 50.
[0069] Specifically, the recessed area 11a is also provided with a plurality of second connection holes 114, which are symmetrically distributed near the plurality of mixing chambers 111. At positions corresponding to the second connection holes 114 on the upper cover 30, a plurality of second mating holes 32 are provided. Similarly, the second connection holes 114 can be configured as counterbores or through holes. The hole walls of the second connection holes 114 and the second mating holes 32 can be configured as smooth holes, or the second connection holes 114 can be configured as threaded holes, or both the second connection holes 114 and the second mating holes 32 can be configured as threaded holes. The upper cover 30 is firmly connected to the main body portion 11 by screws 50 passing through the second connection holes 114 and the second mating holes 32. When selecting the screws 50, stainless steel screws 50 of appropriate specifications are selected according to the structural strength requirements and the use environment of the carbonator assembly 1 to ensure the reliability and durability of the connection.
[0070] The arrangement of the second connection holes 114 and the second mating holes 32 effectively strengthens the connection between the upper cover 30 and the main body portion 11, especially near the mixing chambers 111, which is the main area for gas-liquid mixing and bears relatively large pressure and impact force. Strengthening the connection can improve the structural stability of the carbonator assembly 1 during operation, prevent component loosening due to factors such as pressure changes and fluid impacts, ensure the sealing performance and reliability of the carbonator assembly 1, extend the service life of the carbonator assembly 1, and guarantee the stable preparation of bubble water.
[0071] Please refer to Figure 6 , in an embodiment, the carbonator assembly 1 further includes a gas mixing Venturi tube 60. The gas mixing Venturi tube 60 includes a tube body 61, and an inlet section 62, an air inlet section 63, and an outlet section 64 connected to the tube body 61. The inlet section 62 is used for water inlet, the air inlet section 63 is used for carbon dioxide gas inlet, the outlet section 64 is connected to the inlet pipe 12, and the gas mixing Venturi tube 60 is used for mixing carbon dioxide gas and water and flowing out from the outlet section 64.
[0072] Furthermore, the tube body 61 is provided with a contraction section 611, a throat section 612, and a diffusion section 613. The inlet section 62 is connected to the contraction section 611, and both ends of the diffusion section 613 are respectively connected to the throat section 612 and the outlet section 64; the tube body 61 is also provided with a gas chamber 614, and the air inlet section 63 is communicated with the throat section 612 through the gas chamber 614.
[0073] Specifically, the gas - mixing Venturi tube 60 can be injection - molded from food - grade POM plastic, having good wear resistance and corrosion resistance. The gas - mixing Venturi tube 60 is used to mix gas and liquid. Carbon dioxide gas will flow into the gas - mixing Venturi tube 60 through the air inlet section 63, and water will flow into the gas - mixing Venturi tube 60 through the inlet section 62. Under the action of the gas - mixing Venturi tube 60, using the Venturi effect (the change in fluid flow rate leads to a pressure difference), the carbon dioxide gas is inhaled into the water and mixed and dissolved. Finally, the bubble water flows through the outlet section 64 of the gas - mixing Venturi tube 60 to the inlet pipe 12 for the user to drink the bubble water. The outlet section 64 is communicated with the inlet pipe 12. It can be directly connected and communicated, or a hose or other structure can be used to achieve the communication between the two, and no specific limitation is made in this regard.
[0074] Please refer to Figure 6 , the tube body 61 includes a contraction section 611, a throat section 612, and a diffusion section 613. The contraction section 611 is located between the inlet section 62 and the throat section 612, and is arranged in a frustum - of - a - cone shape. The diffusion section 613 is located between the throat section 612 and the outlet section 64, and is also arranged in a frustum - of - a - cone shape. It should be noted that the contraction section 611, the throat section 612, and the diffusion section 613 all refer to the wall surfaces of the regions formed inside the tube body 61 through which water or carbon dioxide gas can flow. The inlet section 62, the air inlet section 63, and the outlet section 64 refer to the hollow tubular structures connected to the tube body 61, which have inner wall surfaces and outer wall surfaces, and correspondingly have inner diameters and outer diameters.
[0075] One end of the inlet section 62 is connected to the large end of the contraction section 611. The small end of the contraction section 611 is correspondingly arranged opposite to one end of the throat section 612. The other end of the throat section 612 is connected to the small end of the diffusion section 613. The large end of the diffusion section 613 is connected to the outlet section 64. The air inlet section 63 is communicated with the throat section 612 through the air cavity 614. The air cavity 614 is formed in the tube body 61 of the tube body 61, and is located on the outer periphery of the contraction section 611 and on one side of the throat section 612. Of course, in other embodiments, the air inlet section 63 can be directly communicated with the throat section 612.
[0076] This structural design enables the water flow rate to gradually increase and the pressure to decrease when the water flows through the inlet section 62 and enters the contraction section 611, forming a negative pressure in the throat section 612, sucking in the carbon dioxide gas through the air cavity 614, and mixing it with the high - speed water flow. The reasonable design of the contraction section 611, the throat section 612, and the diffusion section 613, as well as the surrounding arrangement of the air cavity 614, ensure the sufficiency and stability of the gas - liquid mixing, improve the preparation efficiency and quality of the bubble water, have a good gas - liquid mixing effect, and significantly increase the bubble concentration. Among them, the air cavity 614 is arranged around the outer periphery of the contraction section 611. The air cavity 614 is generally arranged in a ring - shaped cavity, which can be a regular ring - shaped cavity or an irregular cavity, and no specific limitation is made in this regard.
[0077] Please refer to Figure 6 As shown in Figure 6 , further, an annular cavity, i.e., the air cavity 614, is formed outside the inlet section of the contraction section 611 and the throat section 612. The internal space of the air cavity 614 is connected to the intake section 63. Carbon dioxide gas flows into the intake section 63 of the mixing Venturi tube 60. Under the pressure, the carbon dioxide gas flows into the mixing Venturi tube 60 at a high speed and diffuses uniformly in the air cavity 614. An annular intake channel is formed between the outer peripheral wall of the contraction section 611 and the throat section 612. The carbon dioxide gas enters the throat section 612 from the annular channel and instantly forms an air ring flowing deep into the throat section 612. Inside the air ring is the water flow ejected from the outlet of the contraction section 611 into the throat section 612. The water meets the carbon dioxide gas at the outlet of the contraction section 611. Compared with water, the carbon dioxide gas has a higher flow rate and a lower pressure. In the throat section 612, the water flows towards the gas annular space with a smaller pressure, cutting the gas into larger bubbles. The large bubbles and water flow together towards the expansion section 613. The diameter of the expansion section 613 gradually increases, the fluid flow rate gradually decreases, and the pressure further increases. The water squeezes the bubbles to become smaller, and a part of the bubbles burst into more and smaller bubbles to balance the water pressure. In the expansion section 613, the mixed fluid generates eddies with a large turbulence intensity. A part of the large bubbles are sheared into small bubbles by the eddies. The decrease in the size of the bubbles increases the specific surface area of gas-liquid mass transfer. During the process of the water cutting the bubbles, the film on the surface of the bubbles is simultaneously thinned. The film on the surface of the bubbles is the contact surface of gas-liquid mass transfer. The thinner the film, the smaller the gas-liquid mass transfer resistance, further improving the gas-liquid mass transfer efficiency. The carbon dioxide gas and water are further mixed in the outlet section 64 of the mixing Venturi tube 60 to achieve efficient gas-liquid mass transfer.
[0078] The present invention also provides a bubble water device, which includes the aforementioned carbonator assembly. The specific structure of the carbonator assembly refers to the above-mentioned embodiments. Since this bubble water device adopts all the technical solutions of the above-mentioned embodiments, it at least has all the beneficial effects brought by the technical solutions of the above-mentioned embodiments, which will not be elaborated here one by one. Among them, the bubble water device can be one of an under-counter water purifier, a tabletop water dispenser, a floor-standing water purifier, a water dispenser, or other types of drinking water devices.
[0079] In addition to the carbonator assembly, the bubble water device generally also includes components such as a water tank, a carbon dioxide gas source, and a control system. The water tank is used to store the water required for preparing bubble water and is usually made of food-grade plastic material with good corrosion resistance and hygienic performance. The carbon dioxide gas source provides carbon dioxide gas for preparing bubble water and can be in the form of a high-pressure gas cylinder, a gas cartridge, or other gas sources. The control system is used to precisely control parameters such as gas flow rate and water flow rate and is generally composed of a microprocessor, sensors, and control valves. The carbonator assembly is connected to the water tank and the carbon dioxide gas source through pipelines to form a path for gas-liquid mixing. The pipelines are made of materials with high pressure resistance and corrosion resistance, such as food-grade silicone hoses or stainless steel pipes, to ensure the safe and smooth flow of the gas-liquid mixed fluid.
[0080] The sparkling water device adopting the above carbonator assembly can give full play to the efficient gas-liquid mass transfer advantage of the carbonator assembly. Compared with traditional sparkling water devices, it has many remarkable advantages. The number of system components is reduced, reducing the complexity and manufacturing cost of the device; the gas-liquid mixing effect is good, enabling high-concentration carbonation of sparkling water, making the bubbles more delicate and evenly distributed in the water, and the taste is richer and fresher; the bubble concentration is significantly increased, improving the quality and market competitiveness of the product, and meeting the needs of consumers for high-quality sparkling water.
[0081] The above are only exemplary embodiments of the present invention, and do not limit the patent scope of the present invention. Any equivalent structural transformation made under the technical concept of the present invention by using the content of the specification and drawings of the present invention, or directly / indirectly applied in other related technical fields, is included in the patent protection scope of the present invention.
Claims
1. A carbonator assembly for a sparkling water device, characterized in that: include: The base comprises a main body, and an inlet pipe and an outlet pipe connected to the main body, wherein the main body is provided with a plurality of mixed flow chambers, the inlet pipe and the outlet pipe are in communication with the plurality of mixed flow chambers, and any two adjacent mixed flow chambers among the plurality of mixed flow chambers are in communication through a mixed flow channel; A plurality of impellers are disposed in the plurality of mixing flow chambers in a one-to-one correspondence; as well as An upper cover, connected to the main body and covering the mixing chamber; The inlet pipe is used for the water mixed with carbon dioxide gas to flow in, and the impeller is used for rotating under the action of the water flow to further mix the water mixed with carbon dioxide gas and flow out from the outlet pipe.
2. The carbonizer assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that A rotating shaft is arranged in the mixing chamber, and the impeller is sleeved on the rotating shaft and is in clearance fit with the rotating shaft.
3. The carbonizer assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that The impeller comprises a rotating part and a blade part which are connected to each other, a plurality of blade parts are arranged at intervals along the circumference of the rotating part, and the rotating part is sleeved with the rotating shaft.
4. The carbonizer assembly according to claim 3, characterized in that The impeller is in clearance fit with the cavity wall of the mixed flow cavity, and the distance between the end of the blade portion away from the rotating portion and the cavity wall of the mixed flow cavity is in the range of 0.3 mm to 0.6 mm.
5. The carbonizer assembly according to claim 4, characterized in that The multiple mixing chambers include a first mixing chamber close to the inlet pipe and a second mixing chamber close to the outlet pipe; the first mixing chamber is connected to the inlet pipe through a first flow channel, and the second mixing chamber is connected to the outlet pipe through a second flow channel.
6. The carbonizer assembly according to claim 5, characterized in that The first flow channel is gradually contracted in a direction from the inlet pipe to the first mixing chamber, and the second flow channel is gradually expanded in a direction from the second mixing chamber to the outlet pipe.
7. The carbonizer assembly according to claim 6, characterized in that The number of the mixed flow chambers is 2-12, and the multiple mixed flow chambers are arranged in multiple rows and columns at intervals.
8. The carbonizer assembly according to claim 7, wherein: Any one of the multiple mixing flow chambers is connected to two adjacent mixing flow chambers through the two mixing flow channels; wherein the axes of the two mixing flow channels form an angle α that satisfies 8°≤α≤18°.
9. The carbonizer assembly according to claim 2, wherein: The distance between the inner wall surface of the rotating part and the rotating shaft ranges from 0.1 mm to 0.3 mm.
10. The carbonizer assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that A recessed area is provided on one side of the main body facing the upper cover, and the plurality of mixing flow chambers are arranged in the recessed area; the carbonizer assembly further comprises a sealing gasket, and the sealing gasket is embedded in the recessed area.
11. The carbonizer assembly of claim 10, wherein: A plurality of first connection holes are arranged on the periphery of the recessed area, and a plurality of first matching holes are arranged on the upper cover corresponding to the plurality of first connection holes. The plurality of first connection holes and the plurality of first matching holes are used for screwing.
12. The carbonizer assembly of claim 11, wherein: The recessed area is also provided with a plurality of second connection holes, and the plurality of second connection holes are arranged close to the plurality of mixing flow chambers. The upper cover is provided with a plurality of second matching holes corresponding to the plurality of second connection holes, and the plurality of second connection holes and the plurality of second matching holes are used for screwing.
13. The carbonizer assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that The carbonizer assembly also includes a gas mixing venturi tube, which includes a tube body, and an inlet section, an air intake section and an outlet section connected to the tube body, the inlet section is used to take in water, the air intake section is used to take in carbon dioxide gas, the outlet section is connected to the inlet pipe, and the gas mixing venturi tube is used to mix carbon dioxide gas and water, and flow out from the outlet section.
14. The carbonizer assembly of claim 13, wherein: The tube body is provided with a contraction section, a throat section and an expansion section, the inlet section is connected to the contraction section, and the two ends of the expansion section are respectively connected to the throat section and the outlet section; the tube body is also provided with an air cavity, and the air inlet section is connected to the throat section through the air cavity.
15. A bubble water device, characterized in that: Comprising a carbonizer assembly as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 14.