Carbon dioxide storage device for a sparkling water machine

Abstract

This application relates to a carbon dioxide storage device for a sparkling water machine. It includes: a storage tank with a containment cavity for containing dry ice and carbon dioxide produced by the vaporization of the dry ice; a feeding structure disposed on the storage tank for: forming a feeding port communicating with the containment cavity when dry ice needs to be added, otherwise blocking the feeding port to seal the containment cavity externally; a heating component disposed outside the storage tank for heating the dry ice in the containment cavity to promote its vaporization; a pressure monitoring component connected to the containment cavity for monitoring the pressure within the containment cavity; a control module electrically connected to the heating component and the pressure monitoring component for controlling the start and stop of the heating component based on the signal from the pressure monitoring component to maintain the pressure in the containment cavity within a preset range; and a pressure relief safety valve connected to the containment cavity, whose opening pressure exceeds the upper limit of the preset range. The technical solution of this application solves the problems of large volume, heavy weight, and storage and transportation safety of liquid carbon dioxide cylinders.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of sparkling water machines, and in particular to a carbon dioxide storage device for sparkling water machines. Background Technology

[0002] Sparkling water machines, as household or commercial devices that dissolve carbon dioxide gas in drinking water to prepare carbonated beverages, have become increasingly popular in recent years due to their health, convenience, and environmental benefits. Currently, sparkling water machines typically use high-pressure liquid carbon dioxide cylinders as the gas source. However, these cylinders have drawbacks, including large size, heavy weight, the need for regular replacement or refilling, and safety hazards during transportation and storage. They are particularly inconvenient for long-term use and maintenance by home users or small businesses.

[0003] The information disclosed in this background section is intended only to enhance the understanding of the overall background of this application and should not be construed as an admission or in any way implying that the information constitutes prior art known to those skilled in the art. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In view of this, this application provides a carbon dioxide storage device for a sparkling water machine to solve at least one problem existing in the prior art.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the technical solution of this application is implemented as follows: In a first aspect, embodiments of this application provide a carbon dioxide storage device for a sparkling water machine, comprising: A gas storage tank having a accommodating cavity for containing dry ice and carbon dioxide produced by the vaporization of the dry ice; A feeding structure, provided on the gas storage tank, is used to: form a feeding port that connects to the accommodating cavity when dry ice needs to be added; otherwise, block the feeding port to seal the accommodating cavity to the outside. A heating component, located outside the gas storage tank, is used to heat the dry ice inside the accommodating cavity to promote its vaporization; A pressure monitoring component, connected to the accommodating cavity, is used to monitor the pressure within the accommodating cavity; The control module is electrically connected to the heating component and the pressure monitoring component, and is used to control the start and stop of the heating component according to the signal of the pressure monitoring component, so as to maintain the pressure of the accommodating cavity within a preset range; A pressure relief safety valve is connected to the accommodating cavity, and its opening pressure is higher than the upper limit of the preset range.

[0006] In one alternative embodiment, the gas storage tank includes a detachably connected inner liner and an outer shell, the accommodating cavity is formed within the inner liner, and the heating assembly is disposed in the interlayer between the inner liner and the outer shell.

[0007] In one alternative embodiment, the feeding structure includes a threaded opening at the bottom of the gas storage tank body and a sealing cap that is threadedly engaged with the threaded opening.

[0008] In one optional embodiment, the accommodating cavity is provided with multiple layers of support plates arranged sequentially from bottom to top, and each layer of support plate is provided with mesh; adjacent layers of support plates are separated by support columns provided on the lower layer of support plate to form a gap for gas flow.

[0009] In one optional embodiment, each layer of the support plate has a central through hole in its central area, and the central through holes are aligned vertically to form a vertically continuous feeding path; each layer of the support plate is hinged with a flap valve, the area of ​​which is larger than the central through hole, so that the flap valve can only swing away from the support plate; when the gas tank is upright, the flap valve covers the central through hole under its own weight; when the gas tank is inverted and dry ice is added through the feeding port at its bottom, the dry ice pushes the flap valve to swing, thereby opening the feeding path.

[0010] In one alternative embodiment, the mesh size of the support plate gradually increases from bottom to top.

[0011] In one optional embodiment, the heating component is a partitioned heating band, which is divided into three independent heating zones—upper, middle, and lower—along the height of the inner liner. The control module can independently control the power output of each heating zone based on the signal from the pressure monitoring component and a preset algorithm.

[0012] In an optional embodiment, the carbon dioxide storage device further includes an integrated safety valve seat, which is fixed to the top of the storage tank and integrates the interface of the pressure monitoring component, the carbon dioxide gas output interface, and the pressure relief safety valve.

[0013] In one alternative embodiment, the inner liner is integrally molded from food-grade stainless steel.

[0014] In an optional embodiment, the carbon dioxide storage device further includes a display component electrically connected to the control module, which is used to display real-time pressure, temperature, or dry ice balance estimation information within the accommodating cavity.

[0015] In an alternative embodiment, the display component further includes LED indicator lights that indicate the operating status of the carbon dioxide storage device through different colors or flashing frequencies.

[0016] In an optional embodiment, the carbon dioxide storage device further includes a wireless communication module, which is electrically connected to the control module and is used to upload the operating status data of the carbon dioxide storage device to the user's mobile terminal.

[0017] The carbon dioxide storage device for a sparkling water machine provided in this application includes: a storage tank having a accommodating cavity for storing dry ice and carbon dioxide after the dry ice has vaporized; a feeding structure disposed on the storage tank for: forming a feeding port communicating with the accommodating cavity when dry ice needs to be added, otherwise blocking the feeding port to seal the accommodating cavity to the outside; a heating component disposed outside the storage tank for heating the dry ice in the accommodating cavity to promote its vaporization; a pressure monitoring component communicating with the accommodating cavity for monitoring the pressure in the accommodating cavity; a control module electrically connected to the heating component and the pressure monitoring component for controlling the start and stop of the heating component according to the signal from the pressure monitoring component to maintain the pressure in the accommodating cavity within a preset range; and a pressure relief safety valve communicating with the accommodating cavity, the opening pressure of which is higher than the upper limit of the preset range. As can be seen, the carbon dioxide storage device for sparkling water machines in this application solves the problems of large volume, heavy weight, frequent replacement, and storage and transportation safety hazards of liquid carbon dioxide cylinders by using dry ice as the carbon dioxide source, combined with a sealed and controllable feeding structure, external heating components, pressure monitoring components and a closed-loop control mechanism of the control module, as well as a pressure relief safety valve that opens at a pressure higher than the upper limit of the working pressure.

[0018] Additional aspects and advantages of this application will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of this application. Attached Figure Description

[0019] The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of this application and form part of this application, illustrate exemplary embodiments and are used to explain this application, but do not constitute an undue limitation of this application. In the drawings: Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a carbon dioxide storage device for a sparkling water machine provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0020] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures: 10. Gas storage tank; 11. Inner liner; 12. Outer shell; 13. Carbon dioxide gas output port; 21. Threaded opening; 22. Sealing cap; 30. Heating assembly; 40. Pressure monitoring assembly; 50. Pressure relief safety valve; 60. Support plate; 70. Safety valve seat. Detailed Implementation

[0021] To make the technical solutions and beneficial effects of this application more obvious and understandable, the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application are clearly and completely described below by listing specific embodiments. Obviously, the embodiments of this application are not exhaustive, and the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this application, not all embodiments.

[0022] The exemplary embodiments disclosed in this application will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, providing detailed structures and steps to illustrate the technical solution of this application. Note that the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, and local features may be enlarged or reduced to more clearly show the details of the local features.

[0023] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this application pertains. The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and should not be construed as limiting the technical solutions of this application.

[0024] The following description provides numerous specific details to offer a more thorough understanding of this application. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that this application can be practiced without one or more of these details. To clearly define the inventive concept of this application and avoid confusion with its content, technical features well-known in the art and conventionally understood by those skilled in the art are not elaborated upon. Specifically, this document does not fully list all features of actual embodiments, nor does it provide a detailed description of well-known functions and structures.

[0025] To overcome the shortcomings of the background technology, the industry has begun to explore technical solutions using solid dry ice (solid carbon dioxide) as an alternative gas source. Dry ice can directly sublimate at normal pressure to produce high-purity carbon dioxide gas, which has advantages such as wide availability, relatively safe storage and transportation, and no residue. However, applying dry ice to the gas storage device of sparkling water machines still faces many technical challenges.

[0026] The inventors of this application discovered during the research and development that using dry ice directly as a carbon dioxide source for sparkling water machines is not a simple matter of replacing the gas source. Instead, it faces several interconnected technical challenges that are difficult to overcome through conventional means: the sublimation rate of dry ice is greatly affected by ambient temperature; at room temperature, it sublimates rapidly, causing a sudden pressure increase in the sealed container, posing a safety hazard; at low temperatures, sublimation is insufficient, resulting in unstable gas supply; and neither passive heat dissipation nor fixed heating can achieve dynamic adjustment of the gas production rate as needed; the ultra-low temperature of approximately -78.5°C of dry ice causes water vapor inside the container to condense into liquid. When water comes into contact with dry ice, it freezes, which can obstruct gas flow and block gas passages. It may also enter the beverage system with the airflow, affecting the taste and safety. Existing simple sealed containers lack reasonable internal support and gas flow design. Dry ice is prone to pile-up and compaction, forming a vaporization "dead zone." Moreover, it is difficult to balance speed and convenience, reliable sealing, and moisture prevention requirements during the feeding process. At the same time, traditional solutions disperse functions such as heating, pressure measurement, pressure relief, and gas supply, resulting in low integration, large space occupation, and high leakage risk. They rely solely on mechanical pressure relief without intelligent pressure feedback control, making it impossible to balance safety and gas supply stability.

[0027] Therefore, through further research and development, the inventors proposed the following technical solution.

[0028] This application provides a carbon dioxide storage device for a sparkling water machine, see reference. Figure 1 The carbon dioxide storage device for the sparkling water machine includes: The gas storage tank 10 has a accommodating cavity for accommodating dry ice and carbon dioxide after the dry ice has vaporized; A feeding structure is provided on the gas storage tank 10, used to: form a feeding port that connects to the accommodating cavity when dry ice needs to be added; otherwise, block the feeding port to seal the accommodating cavity to the outside. Heating component 30, located outside the gas storage tank 10, is used to heat the dry ice in the accommodating cavity to promote its vaporization; The pressure monitoring component 40 is connected to the accommodating cavity and is used to monitor the pressure inside the accommodating cavity; The control module is electrically connected to the heating component 30 and the pressure monitoring component 40, and is used to control the start and stop of the heating component 30 according to the signal of the pressure monitoring component 40, so as to maintain the pressure of the accommodating cavity within a preset range; The pressure relief safety valve 50 is connected to the accommodating cavity, and its opening pressure is higher than the upper limit of the preset range.

[0029] In a non-limiting sense, “gas storage tank 10” can be a container body with a sealed containment cavity, which in this application is used to safely contain solid dry ice and the carbon dioxide gas produced by its sublimation. This structure replaces the traditional high-pressure liquid carbon dioxide cylinder, reducing the storage and transportation weight and volume. The "feeding structure" can be an openable and closable mechanism installed on the gas storage tank 10. In this application, it forms an opening when feeding and achieves a seal when not feeding, which not only ensures the convenience of dry ice replenishment, but also ensures the long-term airtightness of the accommodating cavity, preventing the intrusion of external humid air and the leakage of internal gas. The “heating component 30” can be a heat source device arranged outside the gas storage tank 10. In this application, it actively promotes the vaporization of dry ice by applying controllable heat, thus solving the problem of unstable natural sublimation rate of dry ice. The “pressure monitoring component 40” can be a pressure sensor or similar device that is in fluid communication with the cavity. In this application, it provides real-time feedback on the pressure status inside the cavity. The "control module" can be a control unit such as a microcontroller unit (MCU) or a programmable logic controller (PLC). In this application, it dynamically starts and stops the heating component 30 based on the signal of the pressure monitoring component 40, thereby stabilizing the pressure of the accommodating cavity within a preset range and avoiding the risk of insufficient gas supply or overpressure. The "pressure relief safety valve 50" can be a mechanical or pilot-operated safety relief device. In this application, its opening pressure is set higher than the upper limit of the normal operating pressure as a redundant protection mechanism. It automatically releases pressure when the control system fails, causing an abnormal pressure rise, thus improving the device's safety. The combination of these features collectively achieves a lightweight, intelligent, and highly safe carbon dioxide supply using dry ice as the gas source, solving the problems of large size, heavy weight, frequent replacement, and safety hazards associated with traditional gas cylinders in the prior art. Here, "higher than the upper limit of the normal operating pressure" can be greater than a reasonable fixed value to reflect abnormal pressure in the containment chamber. The fixed value should not be too large to avoid delays in pressure relief; the specific value can be determined based on the specific product specifications and usage scenario.

[0030] Specifically, the gas storage tank 10 can be made of low-temperature resistant and pressure-resistant metal or composite material; the feeding structure can be in the form of a screw cap, slide valve or quick connector; the heating component 30 can be an electric heating film, a positive temperature coefficient (PTC) heater or an electric heating wire; the pressure monitoring component 40 can be a piezoresistive or capacitive pressure sensor; the control module can have a built-in proportional-integral-derivative control algorithm (PID) or threshold comparison logic; and the pressure relief safety valve 50 is a spring-loaded safety valve.

[0031] For example, when the pressure in the accommodating cavity is lower than 1.8 MPa, the control module starts the heating component 30; when the pressure reaches 2.2 MPa, the heating stops; the pressure relief safety valve 50 is set to open at 2.8 MPa. The above data are only examples, and the specific settings can be made according to the product type and environment. Unless otherwise specified, other data mentioned in this document are examples.

[0032] Furthermore, the control module can also combine temperature sensor signals to perform multi-parameter fusion control to compensate for the influence of ambient temperature on the sublimation rate of dry ice and improve the accuracy of pressure regulation.

[0033] In some other embodiments of this application, the gas storage tank 10 may include a detachably connected inner liner 11 and an outer shell 12, the accommodating cavity being formed within the inner liner 11, and the heating assembly 30 being disposed in the interlayer between the inner liner 11 and the outer shell 12.

[0034] Without limitation, the “detachable inner liner 11 and outer shell 12” can be that the gas tank 10 is composed of two separable shells, wherein the inner liner 11 forms a cavity that directly contacts the dry ice, and the outer shell 12 provides external support and insulation. This structure facilitates cleaning, maintenance and replacement of the inner liner 11. The “interlayer” can be the annular gap between the inner liner 11 and the outer shell 12, which in this application is used to accommodate the heating component 30, so that heat is evenly conducted to the outer wall of the inner liner 11, improving heating efficiency and avoiding local overheating.

[0035] Specifically, the inner liner 11 and the outer shell 12 can be detachably connected by threads, snaps or flanges; the interlayer is filled with heat insulation material to reduce heat loss.

[0036] Furthermore, a temperature sensor can be arranged in the interlayer to monitor the surface temperature of the heating component 30 and prevent overheating damage.

[0037] In some other embodiments of this application, the feeding structure may include a threaded opening 21 at the bottom of the gas storage tank 10 body, and a sealing cap 22 that is threadedly engaged with the threaded opening 21.

[0038] In a non-restrictive sense, the “threaded opening 21” can be an internally threaded hole machined at the bottom of the gas tank 10, and the “sealing cap 22” can be an end cap with external threads and an integrated sealing ring. The two are connected by threads to achieve repeated opening and reliable sealing. This structure allows users to quickly add dry ice from the bottom without disassembling the whole machine and use gravity to help the dry ice fall into the receiving cavity. At the same time, the threaded connection provides high sealing reliability.

[0039] Specifically, the sealing cap 22 may have an embedded fluororubber or silicone sealing ring, and the threads may be designed with fine teeth to enhance the sealing performance.

[0040] Furthermore, a foolproof structure can be provided at the threaded opening 21 to prevent the sealing cap 22 from being installed incorrectly.

[0041] In some other embodiments of this application, the accommodating cavity may be provided with multiple layers of support disks 60 arranged sequentially from bottom to top, each layer of support disk 60 having mesh holes; adjacent layers of support disks 60 are separated by support columns provided on the lower layer of support disk 60 to form a gap for gas flow.

[0042] Without limitation, the "support plate 60" can be a horizontally arranged disc-shaped structural component used in this application to support dry ice blocks and prevent them from piling up and compacting; the "mesh" can be through holes distributed on the disc surface to allow gas to flow vertically; the "support column" can be a column fixed to the upper surface of the lower disc, which in this application maintains the interlayer spacing and forms a horizontal gas flow gap; this combined structure improves the permeability of the dry ice pile, allowing the vaporized gas to flow upwards evenly and avoiding local blockage and uneven vaporization.

[0043] Specifically, the support plate 60 is made of stainless steel by stamping, and the support column is integrally formed with the lower plate.

[0044] Furthermore, a small gap is left between the edge of the support plate 60 and the wall of the inner liner 11 to balance the radial airflow.

[0045] In some other embodiments of this application, a central through hole is provided in the central area of ​​each layer of the support plate 60, and the central through holes are aligned in the vertical direction to form a vertically continuous feeding path; a flap valve is hinged to each layer of the support plate 60, and the area of ​​the flap valve is larger than the central through hole, so that the flap valve can only swing away from the support plate 60; when the gas storage tank 10 is upright, the flap valve covers the central through hole under its own weight; when the gas storage tank 10 is inverted and dry ice is added through the feeding port at its bottom, the dry ice pushes the flap valve to swing, thereby opening the feeding path.

[0046] Without limitation, the "central through hole" can be a circular opening located in the center of the support plate 60, and the "feeding path" can be a vertical channel formed by aligning the central through holes of each layer, which is used in this application to guide the dry ice to fall during feeding; the "flip valve" can be a movable baffle hinged to the support plate 60, with an area larger than the central through hole and swinging in one direction. When the gas tank 10 is upright, the through hole is automatically closed by gravity to prevent the dry ice from falling and the gas from short-circuiting, while when the tank is inverted for feeding, it is pushed open by the dry ice to open the channel, realizing the automatic opening and closing of the feeding process without the need for additional valve operation.

[0047] Specifically, the flap valve is hinged via a stainless steel shaft, with the hinge point eccentrically set to enhance the closing torque.

[0048] Furthermore, the flap valve surface is coated with a low-friction coating to reduce opening resistance.

[0049] In some other embodiments of this application, the mesh size of the multi-layered support disk 60 gradually increases from bottom to top.

[0050] In an unrestricted manner, "gradually increasing mesh aperture" can refer to an increase in the through-hole size from the bottom to the top support plate 60. This design allows small dry ice fragments to fall to the bottom layer in stages, while large pieces of dry ice are retained in the upper layer, thereby achieving particle size classification of dry ice, preventing fine powder from clogging the airflow channels, and promoting uniform diffusion of gas from bottom to top.

[0051] Specifically, the mesh diameter can be set as follows: 2mm for the bottom layer, 4mm for the middle layer, and 6mm for the top layer.

[0052] Furthermore, the pore size gradient can be optimized based on the typical particle size distribution of dry ice fragments.

[0053] In other embodiments of this application, the heating component 30 can be a partitioned heating band, divided into three independent heating zones—upper, middle, and lower—along the height direction of the inner liner 11. The control module can independently control the power output of each heating zone based on the signal from the pressure monitoring component 40 and a preset algorithm.

[0054] Without limitation, the “zoned heating zone” can be a heating element that is divided into multiple independent electric heating zones along the height of the inner liner 11. “Independent control of the power output of each heating zone” can be a control module that can adjust the current or duty cycle of each zone separately. This feature allows the system to dynamically adjust the heating strategy according to the dry ice consumption status (such as the upper dry ice being exhausted first), for example, prioritizing the heating of the lower zone, thereby improving the thermal energy utilization efficiency and extending the single feeding time.

[0055] Specifically, each heating zone is driven by an independent power supply, and the control module switches between them via solid-state relays.

[0056] Furthermore, the control algorithm can combine historical pressure change rates to predict the remaining dry ice quantity, thereby achieving feedforward-feedback composite control.

[0057] In some other embodiments of this application, the carbon dioxide storage device may further include an integrated safety valve seat 70, which is fixed to the top of the storage tank 10 and integrates the interface of the pressure monitoring component 40, the carbon dioxide gas output interface 13, and the pressure relief safety valve 50.

[0058] Without limitation, the "integrated safety valve seat 70" can be a top mount that is machined in one piece, which in this application centrally arranges the pressure monitoring component 40 interface, gas output interface and pressure relief safety valve 50, reducing pipeline connection points, lowering leakage risk, simplifying assembly process and improving structural compactness and reliability.

[0059] Specifically, the safety valve seat 70 can be made of forged brass, and each interface is sealed with an O-ring.

[0060] Furthermore, the valve seat has an optimized flow channel structure to reduce pressure drop during gas output.

[0061] In some other embodiments of this application, the inner liner 11 may be integrally formed from food-grade stainless steel.

[0062] Without limitation, "food-grade stainless steel material" can be stainless steel that meets national standards (such as 304 or 316L), and "one-piece molding" can be an integral structure of the inner liner 11 without welds. This feature ensures that the surfaces in contact with dry ice and carbon dioxide gas are free from contamination and corrosion, and avoids the risk of leakage caused by welding defects, thus meeting food safety requirements.

[0063] Specifically, the inner liner 11 can be manufactured by a deep drawing process, and the inner surface roughness can be: Ra≤0.8μm.

[0064] Furthermore, the outer wall of the inner liner 11 may be sandblasted to enhance thermal contact with the heating element 30.

[0065] In some other embodiments of this application, the carbon dioxide storage device may further include a display component electrically connected to the control module for displaying real-time pressure, temperature, or dry ice balance estimation information within the accommodating cavity.

[0066] Without limitation, the "display component" can be a visual interface such as a liquid crystal display (LCD), an e-ink screen, or a digital tube, which provides users with key operating parameters in this application, improving operational transparency and user experience. The dry ice balance estimate can be calculated based on a pressure, temperature, and usage time model.

[0067] Specifically, the display component can be embedded in the side of the housing 12 of the gas tank 10 and driven by the control module.

[0068] Furthermore, the displayed content may include fault codes and maintenance tips.

[0069] In some other embodiments of this application, the display component further includes a light-emitting diode (LED) indicator light, which indicates the working status of the carbon dioxide storage device by means of different colors or flashing frequencies.

[0070] Without limitation, in this application, the "LED indicator" conveys the equipment status intuitively through color (such as green for normal, red for overpressure, and blue for heating) or flashing mode (such as fast flashing for fault and slow flashing for standby), which makes it easy for users to quickly identify the operating status, especially in low light conditions where it is superior to text display.

[0071] Specifically, the LED indicator is integrated into the bezel of the display component and is dimmed by the control module using pulse width modulation (PWM).

[0072] Furthermore, multi-color RGB LEDs can be configured to expand the state coding capacity.

[0073] In some other embodiments of this application, the carbon dioxide storage device may further include a wireless communication module, which is electrically connected to the control module and is used to upload the operating status data of the carbon dioxide storage device to the user's mobile terminal.

[0074] In a non-limiting sense, the "wireless communication module" can be a communication chip that supports protocols such as Bluetooth, Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi), or Narrow Band Internet of Things (NB-IoT). In this application, it enables data interaction between the device and mobile terminals such as smartphones, allowing users to remotely monitor pressure, receive dry ice depletion warnings, or obtain fault diagnosis information, thereby enhancing the product's intelligence and networking capabilities.

[0075] Specifically, the wireless communication module can use a low-power Bluetooth 5.0 chip, and the control module communicates through a Universal Asynchronous Receiver / Transmitter (UART) interface.

[0076] Furthermore, it supports OTA (Over-The-Air) firmware upgrades to update the control algorithm.

[0077] In some other embodiments of this application, the carbon dioxide storage device further includes a condensate collection and discharge structure (not shown in the figures). The condensate collection and discharge structure includes a water collection groove at the bottom of the accommodating cavity and a one-way drain valve communicating with the water collection groove. The water collection groove is used to collect liquid water formed by the condensation of water vapor in the air inside the tank due to the low temperature of dry ice. The one-way drain valve only allows liquid to be discharged outwards while preventing gas leakage, thereby achieving periodic or automatic discharge of condensate without compromising the sealing of the accommodating cavity.

[0078] In a non-limiting sense, the "water collection groove" refers to a water-retaining area formed by a partial depression at the bottom of the gas storage tank's accommodating cavity. In this application, it is used to collect condensate in a concentrated manner, preventing water from spreading over a large area at the bottom of the tank and directly contacting the dry ice to form ice. The "one-way drain valve" refers to a miniature drain device with a check function (such as a duckbill valve, float-type drain valve, or diaphragm-type one-way valve). In this application, it ensures that the drain is opened only when external negative pressure is applied or when manually operated, and remains closed under normal operating conditions to prevent high-pressure carbon dioxide leakage. This combination of features solves the problem of condensate accumulation caused by the low temperature of dry ice, reduces the risk of icing blocking the airflow channel or contaminating the gas system, and improves the long-term reliability of the device and the hygiene and safety of beverages.

[0079] Specifically, the water collection groove is located outside the area covered by the heating component to avoid heating interfering with drainage; the outlet of the one-way drain valve is connected to a removable water collection box or directly discharged to the external environment.

[0080] Furthermore, the control module can integrate a humidity sensor or estimate the amount of condensate based on a pressure-temperature model, and prompt the user to drain the condensate when a threshold is reached through a display component, or link a micro pump to achieve automatic drainage.

[0081] It should be noted that the various embodiments or implementation methods in this document can be described in a progressive manner, with each embodiment focusing on the differences from other embodiments. Similar or identical parts between embodiments can be referred to mutually. It should be understood that in the various embodiments of this application, the embodiment numbers are merely for descriptive purposes and do not represent the superiority or inferiority of the embodiments.

[0082] Understandably, without conflict, the technical features in the technical solutions described in each embodiment can be arbitrarily combined to form new embodiments. For example, each structure in each embodiment can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the structures can be arbitrarily combined; some or all of the structures in different embodiments can be arbitrarily combined. Each step in each embodiment can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the steps can be arbitrarily combined; the order of the steps can be arbitrarily interchanged; some or all of the steps in different embodiments can be arbitrarily combined. Furthermore, regarding the table in the embodiments, each element, each row, or each column in the table can be implemented as an independent embodiment.

[0083] In this document, when the terms "embodiment," "implementation," or "example" are used, it means that the specific features described in connection with these implementations or examples are included in at least one implementation, embodiment, or example of this application. It should be noted that the illustrative expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same implementation, embodiment, or example. Furthermore, the specific features described, such as structures or steps, can be appropriately combined in any one or more implementations, embodiments, or examples.

[0084] In some embodiments, prefixes such as "first" and "second" are used merely to distinguish different descriptive objects and do not impose restrictions on the position, order, priority, or value of the descriptive objects. The description of the descriptive objects is given in the context of the embodiments, and the use of prefixes does not constitute unnecessary restrictions. For example, the numerical value of a descriptive object is not limited by ordinal numbers and can be one or more. Taking "first device" as an example, the numerical value of "device" can be one or more. Furthermore, objects modified by different prefixes can be the same or different. For example, if the descriptive object is "device," then "first device" and "second device" can be the same device or different devices, and their types can be the same or different. Describing "first" does not necessarily imply the existence of "second," and discussing "second" does not necessarily imply the existence of "first."

[0085] In some embodiments, unless otherwise stated, elements expressed in the singular, such as “a,” “the,” “the,” “the,” “the,” “the,” etc., may mean “one and only one,” or “one or more,” “at least one,” etc. In some embodiments, “a plurality” may be two or more.

[0086] In some embodiments, the terms “at least one,” “one or more,” “multiple,” etc., can be used interchangeably.

[0087] In some embodiments, the notation "at least one of A and B", "A and / or B", "A in one case, B in another", "A in one case, B in another", etc., may include the following technical solutions depending on the situation: in some embodiments, A (A is executed regardless of B); in some embodiments, B (B is executed regardless of A); in some embodiments, execution is selected from A and B (A and B are selectively executed); in some embodiments, both A and B are executed. The same applies when there are more branches such as A, B, C, etc.

[0088] In some embodiments, the notation "A or B" may include the following technical solutions, depending on the situation: in some embodiments, A (execution of A regardless of B); in some embodiments, B (execution of B regardless of A); in some embodiments, selective execution from A and B (A and B are selectively executed). The same applies when there are more branches such as A, B, and C.

[0089] In some embodiments, unless otherwise expressly defined, the terms "installation," "connection," "linking," "fixing," "setting," etc., should be interpreted broadly. For example, "connection" can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; it can be a mechanical connection, an electrical connection, or a communication connection; it can be a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; it can also refer to the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this embodiment according to the specific circumstances.

[0090] In some embodiments, the terms “center,” “longitudinal,” “lateral,” “length,” “width,” “thickness,” “height,” “up,” “down,” “front,” “back,” “left,” “right,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” “top,” “bottom,” “inner,” “outer,” “clockwise,” and “counterclockwise” indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only used for the purpose of simplifying the description of this application and should not be construed as indicating that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. In other words, they should not be construed as limitations on this application.

[0091] In some embodiments, unless otherwise expressly defined, "above" or "below" the second feature can mean that the first and second features are in direct contact, or indirect contact via an intermediate medium, or that they are not in contact, but simply indicate that the horizontal level of the first feature is higher than that of the second feature. Furthermore, "above" or "below" the second feature can mean that the first feature is directly above or diagonally above, directly below, or diagonally below the second feature.

[0092] In some embodiments, spatial relation terms such as “upper” and “lower” may be used for convenience of description to describe the relationship of one element or feature shown in the figures to other elements or features. It should be understood that, in addition to the orientation shown in the figures, spatial relation terms are intended to also include different orientations of the device in use and operation. For example, if the device in the figures is flipped, the description of an element or feature “below” other elements or features will change it to “upper” other elements or features. Therefore, the exemplary terms “upper” and “lower” can include both upper and lower orientations. The device may also be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or otherwise), and the spatial descriptive terms used herein will be interpreted accordingly.

[0093] It should be understood that the above embodiments are merely illustrative of several implementation methods of this application and do not limit the scope of protection of this patent application. The above embodiments are all exemplary and are not intended to encompass all possible implementation methods included in the technical solutions of this application. Various modifications and changes can be made to the above embodiments without departing from the scope of this application. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of this application without inventive effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

Claims

1. A carbon dioxide storage device for a sparkling water machine, characterized in that, include: A gas storage tank having a accommodating cavity for containing dry ice and carbon dioxide produced by the vaporization of the dry ice; A feeding structure, provided on the gas storage tank, is used to: form a feeding port that connects to the accommodating cavity when dry ice needs to be added; otherwise, block the feeding port to seal the accommodating cavity to the outside. A heating component, located outside the gas storage tank, is used to heat the dry ice inside the accommodating cavity to promote its vaporization; A pressure monitoring component, connected to the accommodating cavity, is used to monitor the pressure within the accommodating cavity; The control module is electrically connected to the heating component and the pressure monitoring component, and is used to control the start and stop of the heating component according to the signal of the pressure monitoring component, so as to maintain the pressure of the accommodating cavity within a preset range; A pressure relief safety valve is connected to the accommodating cavity, and its opening pressure is higher than the upper limit of the preset range.

2. The carbon dioxide storage device for a sparkling water machine according to claim 1, characterized in that, The gas storage tank includes a detachably connected inner liner and an outer shell, the accommodating cavity is formed inside the inner liner, and the heating component is disposed in the interlayer between the inner liner and the outer shell.

3. The carbon dioxide storage device for a sparkling water machine according to claim 1, characterized in that, The feeding structure includes a threaded opening at the bottom of the gas storage tank body and a sealing cap that is threadedly engaged with the threaded opening.

4. The carbon dioxide storage device for a sparkling water machine according to claim 1, characterized in that, The accommodating cavity is provided with multiple layers of support plates arranged sequentially from bottom to top, and each layer of support plate is provided with mesh; adjacent layers of support plates are separated by support columns set on the lower layer of support plate to form gaps for gas flow.

5. The carbon dioxide storage device for a sparkling water machine according to claim 4, characterized in that, Each layer of the support plate has a central through hole in its central area, and the central through holes are aligned vertically to form a vertically continuous feeding path. Each layer of the support plate is hinged with a flap valve, the area of ​​which is larger than the central through hole, so that the flap valve can only swing away from the support plate. When the gas tank is upright, the flap valve covers the central through hole under its own weight. When the gas tank is inverted and dry ice is added through the feeding port at its bottom, the dry ice pushes the flap valve to swing, thus opening the feeding path.

6. The carbon dioxide storage device for a sparkling water machine according to claim 4, characterized in that, The mesh size of the support plate gradually increases from bottom to top.

7. The carbon dioxide storage device for a sparkling water machine according to claim 2, characterized in that, The heating component is a zoned heating band, which is divided into three independent heating zones—upper, middle, and lower—along the height of the inner liner. The control module can independently control the power output of each heating zone based on the signal from the pressure monitoring component and a preset algorithm.

8. The carbon dioxide storage device for a sparkling water machine according to claim 1, characterized in that, The carbon dioxide storage device also includes an integrated safety valve seat, which is fixed to the top of the storage tank and integrates the interface of the pressure monitoring component, the carbon dioxide gas output interface, and the pressure relief safety valve.

9. The carbon dioxide storage device for a sparkling water machine according to claim 2, characterized in that, The inner liner is made of food-grade stainless steel and molded in one piece.

10. The carbon dioxide storage device for a sparkling water machine according to any one of claims 1-7, characterized in that, The carbon dioxide storage device also includes a display component, which is electrically connected to the control module and is used to display real-time pressure, temperature or dry ice balance estimation information in the accommodating cavity.

11. The carbon dioxide storage device for a sparkling water machine according to claim 10, characterized in that, The display component also includes LED indicator lights, which indicate the working status of the carbon dioxide storage device through different colors or flashing frequencies.

12. The carbon dioxide storage device for a sparkling water machine according to any one of claims 1-7, characterized in that, The carbon dioxide storage device also includes a wireless communication module, which is electrically connected to the control module and is used to upload the operating status data of the carbon dioxide storage device to the user's mobile terminal.

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