Multifunctional water dispenser and bubble tank structure thereof

Abstract

The application discloses a multifunctional water dispenser and a bubble tank structure thereof, and belongs to the technical field of intelligent water dispensers. The bubble tank structure of the water dispenser is wrapped and packaged by a heat conductor to wrap and package the ice water pipe and the refrigeration pipe which are adhered and wound, and then a cylinder is embedded in the heat conductor. The top of the cylinder is provided with a water inlet, an air inlet and a water outlet through a sealing end cover. The water inlet is communicated with the ice water pipe to inject water into the cylinder. The air inlet is connected with carbon dioxide to inject gas into the cylinder. The injected carbon dioxide is dissolved in water and reaches the bottom chamber of the cylinder through the through hole in the base. The bottom chamber is used for taking water to supply bubble water outward. The base is arranged at the bottom of the cylinder and is used for forming bubble water with stable carbon dioxide dissolution to avoid the dynamic influence on the mixing and dissolution process of the upper ice water and carbon dioxide of the cylinder. Compared with the prior art, the application can form bubble water with more stable dissolution and better taste, and the water dispenser is safer and more reliable.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of intelligent water dispenser technology, specifically relating to a multifunctional water dispenser and its bubble chamber structure. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, most chilled water dispensers with sparkling water function on the market use a single-cavity integrated water storage structure for their chilled water storage tank. They mostly adopt a direct-flow water injection and gas mixing method, with carbon dioxide directly injected into the upper or middle part of the water storage area, relying on natural diffusion to achieve dissolution. This results in problems such as low dissolution efficiency, large fluctuations in sparkling water concentration, and unstable dissolution interface caused by dynamic disturbances.

[0003] Furthermore, according to research and analysis, most of these are made of stamped and welded metal sheets. Because carbon dioxide needs to be dissolved under pressure, the cylinder needs to be designed as a sealed container. Conventional metal processing often uses welding, which can leave weld slag or metal burrs that are difficult to clean. Scale buildup after use is also difficult to remove. Secondly, there are indications that some inner tanks have difficulty controlling the amount of dissolved carbon dioxide entering the tank. High-pressure carbon dioxide filling can cause the temperature to spike, resulting in a bitter taste in the sparkling water and a poor user experience.

[0004] Furthermore, it is pointed out that in the existing ice chamber structure, water intake, air intake, and water output all occur within the same cavity. When cold water is injected from the top, it impacts the water body, creating violent turbulence. Carbon dioxide gas cannot be fully and stably dissolved in the water after being introduced, resulting in rapid bubble formation and unstable gas content in the prepared sparkling water, leading to significant differences in taste. At the same time, the disturbance from the incoming water continuously disrupts the dissolved gas balance in the water body. The upper layer of water has just completed the gas-water mixing process, and the newly injected cold water further dilutes the dissolved concentration. When water is taken out, the dynamically mixed upper layer of water flows out directly, resulting in a problem where the first half has abundant bubbles, while the second half has weak bubbles or even no bubbles, leading to a poor drinking experience.

[0005] Conventional bubble cooling chambers lack an independent pressure stabilization structure, causing significant fluctuations in internal pressure with water intake and output. Excessive pressure can lead to leaks and liquid spraying, while insufficient pressure drastically reduces carbon dioxide dissolution efficiency, making it difficult to balance overall safety and stable gas production. Most cooling chambers also lack water level monitoring components, making it impossible to detect the water level in real time, which can easily lead to malfunctions such as dry burning, empty cooling, and wasted carbon dioxide due to lack of water intake. Furthermore, the end caps and cylinder are only secured with simple sealing gaskets, which are prone to seal failure after prolonged pressure use, resulting in water and gas leaks.

[0006] In summary, existing sparkling water dispenser ice tanks suffer from defects such as poor carbon dioxide dissolution stability, uneven taste of sparkling water, uncontrollable inner tank pressure, insufficient sealing reliability, water turbulence interfering with gas dissolution, and inflexible water flow speed adjustment. There is an urgent need for a new type of sparkling water dispenser tank structure that can achieve full dissolution of gas and water, independent and stable water storage at the bottom, controllable pressure, and a strong seal. Summary of the Invention

[0007] Purpose of the invention: The present invention aims to provide a multifunctional water dispenser and its aeration tank structure, which can provide stable quality sparkling water and adapt to different sparkling water taste preparation needs.

[0008] Technical solution: A bubble tank structure for a water dispenser, including a heat conductor, which encapsulates and wraps around an ice water pipe and a refrigeration pipe. A cylinder is embedded inside the heat conductor, and a sealing end cap is provided on the top of the cylinder. The sealing end cap is provided with a water inlet, an air inlet and a water outlet. The water inlet is connected to the ice water pipe to inject water into the cylinder. The air inlet is connected to carbon dioxide to inject gas into the cylinder. After the injected carbon dioxide dissolves in the water, it reaches the bottom chamber of the cylinder through the through hole on the base. The bottom chamber is used to take water and supply bubble water to the outside. The base is used to separate and store carbon dioxide-stable bubble water at the bottom of the cylinder, avoiding the dynamic influence of the mixing and dissolution process of ice water and carbon dioxide in the upper layer of the cylinder.

[0009] Furthermore, water is injected into the cylinder through the inlet along the side wall in a non-vertical direction. This injection process creates a vortex within the cylinder to promote the dissolution of carbon dioxide. Both the water inlet and air inlet are equipped with flow regulating valves to control and adjust their flow rates, achieving different carbon dioxide content ratios in the bubble water.

[0010] The bottom chamber of the cylinder is connected to the water outlet through a pipe, and the pipe, sealing end cap, and base are fixed together as a combined structure.

[0011] Furthermore, the sealing end cap includes a pressure-holding valve that controls the pressure inside the cylinder within a preset range; the through-hole includes a check valve to prevent pressure changes inside the cylinder from affecting the dilution of air bubbles in the bottom chamber. The sealing end cap is equipped with a probe for detecting the water level inside the cylinder and / or a temperature probe for detecting the temperature. The sealing end cap is sealed to the port of the cylinder by a sealing ring and / or threads, and is secured by clamps.

[0012] Furthermore, the base is provided with a damping plate to slow down the flow of water bubbles in the bottom chamber.

[0013] On the other hand, the present invention also provides a multifunctional water dispenser, which includes the above-described aeration tank structure. Further, the aeration tank structure includes an insulation layer and / or a cooling component on its exterior.

[0014] Beneficial effects: Compared with the prior art, the substantial features and significant advancements of this invention include: (1) This invention allows the gas-water mixture to flow downwards into the bottom independent chamber for water storage through the through hole in the base of the cylinder. This physically separates the upper dynamic water injection and aeration mixing area from the bottom finished bubble water storage area. The turbulent water flow generated by the upper cold water injection and carbon dioxide aeration will not disturb the water body at the bottom that has been fully dissolved in gas. This completely solves the defect of the traditional single-chamber water intake, where there are sufficient bubbles in the front section and sparse or even no bubbles in the back section. The carbon dioxide content of the water is consistent throughout the process, and the taste of the bubble water is uniform and stable. The addition of a disturbance plate to the base can further reduce the disturbance of the water flow in the bottom chamber, reduce the precipitation and escape of carbon dioxide bubbles, and maintain the dissolved gas saturation of the water body for a long time.

[0015] (2) The water inlet adopts a non-vertical inclined water injection structure on the side wall. After the water flows into the cylinder, it naturally forms a rotating vortex, which prolongs the contact and dissolution time between water and carbon dioxide gas, and increases the gas-liquid contact area. Compared with vertical direct water injection, it greatly increases the CO2 dissolution rate and reduces gas waste. At the same time, it avoids the violent turbulence and gas imbalance caused by the impact of direct water flow on the water body. Under the same aeration volume, the bubbles are denser and eliminate the bitter taste. The water inlet and air inlet are equipped with flow regulating valves, which can flexibly adjust the water and gas flow rate, and adjust the carbon dioxide concentration of sparkling water as needed to meet diverse drinking taste requirements.

[0016] (3) The sealing end cap integrates a pressure-holding valve, which can stably control the internal pressure of the cylinder within a preset safe range. During the inflation, water intake, and water inlet processes, there will be no sudden rise or fall in air pressure, thus preventing water leakage and liquid spraying due to excessive pressure and a sharp drop in dissolved air efficiency due to excessive pressure. With the addition of a water level probe, the water level inside the cylinder can be monitored in real time, which can promptly identify the conditions of no water or low water level, avoiding the waste of gas source caused by continuous carbon dioxide injection when there is no water supply, dry burning, or no water, and reducing the probability of overall machine failure. Secondly, the sealing end cap is removable, which can ensure that the inside of the cylinder is clean and free of processing contaminants, and can also be cleaned later.

[0017] (4) The ice water pipe, refrigeration pipe and cylinder are wrapped and wrapped with heat-conducting material, resulting in a large heat exchange contact area and sufficient and uniform cold energy transfer. An insulation layer and matching refrigeration components are added to the outside of the ice tank, which greatly reduces the loss of cold energy, improves the cooling efficiency of ice water, reduces the energy consumption of the refrigeration unit during continuous operation, and makes the whole machine more energy-efficient. Attached Figure Description

[0018] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the water dispenser bubble chamber after assembly according to the present invention; Figure 2 This is an exploded view of the bubble chamber structure of the water dispenser described in this invention; Figure 3 This is a disassembly diagram of the ice tank portion of the water dispenser described in this invention; Figure 4 This is a structural diagram of the sealing end cap and base in the ice tank of the water dispenser described in this invention; Figure 5 This is a top view of the sealing end cap and bottom of the ice tank in the water dispenser described in this invention.

[0019] In the diagram: 1. Heat conductor; 2. Chilled water pipe; 3. Refrigeration pipe; 4. Cylinder; 5. Sealing end cap; 501. Water inlet; 502. Air inlet; 503. Water outlet; 504. Pressure holding valve; 505. Water level probe; 6. Base; 601. Through hole; 602. Anti-disruption plate; 7. Clamp. Detailed Implementation

[0020] To illustrate the technical solution provided by this invention in detail, further description is provided below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0021] Combination Figures 1-5 As shown, this invention provides a multifunctional water dispenser and its aeration tank structure. The invention first arranges the ice water pipe 2 (generally at a temperature of 2-6℃) and the refrigeration pipe 3 in a close-fitting arrangement, including winding or bonding, to allow them to conduct heat to each other. The refrigeration pipe 3 is filled with a low-temperature refrigerant, which can be circulated by a compressor or can be ice water. The ice water pipe 2 is cooled through heat exchange. The water in the ice water pipe 2 is supplied to the water inlet of the water dispenser, and the cold water is stored along the length of the pipe. Alternatively, an insulated water tank containing cold water can be provided. In this invention, an aluminum heat conductor 1 is used to integrally cast the refrigeration pipe 3 and the ice water pipe 2. Therefore, the heat conductor 1 can maximize the utilization of residual heat to achieve sufficient heat exchange between the two and achieve a good low-temperature environment.

[0022] In other implementations, an insulation layer is set on the outside of the heat conductor 1 to prevent the loss of cold energy. Alternatively, a refrigeration component can be attached to the heat conductor 1 to achieve temperature control. For example, the refrigeration component can be used as a rapid compensation for cooling. This ensures that the heat conductor 1 is kept within a preset temperature range, which can quickly cool down the heat conductor while preventing the compressor connected to the refrigeration pipe 3 from operating at a high power level.

[0023] More specifically, in this invention, the cylinder 4 is placed inside the heat conductor 1, and is centered around the refrigeration pipe 3 and the ice water pipe 2. The cylinder 4 achieves low-temperature control through the heat conductor 1, reaching the desired temperature range. It should also be noted that the thick wall of the heat conductor 1 ensures that the metal cylinder 4 will not burst. The water inlet 501 on the cylinder 4 can be connected to ice water (low temperature, above freezing) from the ice water pipe 2, and then connected to an external carbon dioxide storage cylinder through the air inlet 502. Air intake is controlled by a solenoid valve, and the injected carbon dioxide gas dissolves with the ice water under continuous pressure to obtain sparkling water (also known as bubbly water).

[0024] In the technical solution provided by this invention, water is drawn from the bottom of the cylinder 4, such as... Figure 3 and Figure 4 The structure is shown. This invention includes a base 6, the size of which is adapted to the inner diameter of the cylinder 4, thus fitting snugly against the side wall. The height of the side plate controls the volume of the bottom chamber. Through holes 601 are distributed on the upper surface of the base 6, allowing the bubble water from the bottom of the upper chamber to enter the bottom chamber. A check valve is installed at each through hole to prevent pressure changes within the cylinder from affecting the dilution of the bubble water in the bottom chamber. In the bottom chamber, a baffle plate 602 is also provided on the lower surface of the base 6, thereby quickly slowing the movement of the bubble water as it reaches the bottom chamber, even when the upper chamber is mixing water to prepare the bubble water. The bubble water from the bottom chamber is then supplied to the outlet 503 on the sealed end cap 5 via a pipe. Water intake control can be achieved through air pressure control or water pump extraction. Air pressure control means that under a certain pressure, the pipe submerged in the bubble water will naturally tend to release water upwards, which can be controlled by a solenoid valve.

[0025] Furthermore, for the installation of base 6, please refer to... Figure 4 The structure shown is placed at the bottom of the cylinder 4 after the pipe is tightened to the pre-set thread on the base 6. This facilitates installation and also takes into account the sealing connection between the pipe and the base 6 so that the bubble water can only be taken from the bottom chamber.

[0026] Traditional aerated water tanks typically use a vertical direct injection method, where the water flows straight down and impacts the bottom water, further exacerbating turbulence within the chamber. This results in short contact time between air and water and incomplete dissolution. The base 6 lacks flow stabilization and disturbance prevention structures, causing the already stabilized dissolved water at the bottom to be agitated during water intake, leading to significant bubble escape. The water and air inlet pipes lack independent flow control components, making it impossible to match the appropriate water-to-air ratio based on water quality and temperature, and hindering precise bubble concentration control. Furthermore, the external insulation and refrigeration structure of the ice tank is simple, resulting in significant cooling loss, low refrigeration efficiency, and high overall energy consumption. This invention addresses this issue by designing the water inlet 501 and air inlet 502. The water inlet 501 protrudes slightly downwards and is angled within the cylinder 4, creating a vortex rotation within the cylinder 4 during water intake. Additionally, both the water inlet 501 and the air inlet 502 are equipped with flow control valves. It should be noted that in some scenarios where the usage demand is relatively small, the tilt setting can be omitted to achieve vortex mixing, and the water outlet of the inlet 501 can be set as an atomizing nozzle.

[0027] The ice chamber structure provided by this invention has a pressure-holding valve 504 on the sealed end cap 5. The simplest structure of this pressure-holding valve 504 is a spring combined with a plug design. Its function is to be opened to release pressure when the pressure in the cylinder 4 exceeds a threshold. During the process of filling the cylinder 4 with carbon dioxide, traditional manual operation often leads to an inability to control the air intake. If not careful, the pressure on the cylinder 4 may exceed the standard under the pressure of the gas cylinder, and the pressure cannot be discharged, resulting in excessive carbon dioxide content in the sparkling water, affecting the taste of the sparkling water.

[0028] In some optimized structures, a temperature probe is also provided on the sealed end cap 5 to detect the water temperature inside the cylinder 4. The water temperature inside the cylinder 4 is taken from the ice water pipe 2, so this temperature value can also reflect the ambient temperature of the heat conductor 1.

[0029] In other embodiments, the sealed end cap 5 is provided with a water level probe 505, which can control the water intake based on the data collected by the water level probe 505 in order to adjust the carbon dioxide dissolution ratio.

[0030] For the sealing end cap 5, the present invention uses a sealing ring and / or threads to fix it to the upper edge of the cylinder 4, and uses a clamp 7 for further sealing and fixing based on the protruding edge. This detachable method also facilitates cleaning inside the cylinder 4 and cleaning after processing. Compared with the prior art, there is no residue of welding slag and other debris, and its toughness and compressive strength are also relatively good.

[0031] This invention achieves efficient and directional dissolution of carbon dioxide in the bottom chamber through the synergistic effect of a compartmentalized bubble chamber CO2 steady-state dissolution structure and vortex water injection; improves the heat conduction response speed and temperature uniformity by the overall encapsulation of the chilled water pipe 2 and the refrigeration pipe 3 by the heat conductor 1 and the interference fit of the cylinder 4; and maintains the stability of the dissolution interface in a low-temperature environment by the flow field coupling control of the oblique tangential water inlet 501 structure and the disturbance blocking plate 602, thereby obtaining high-quality bubble water with uniform concentration, stable pressure and continuous water output.

Claims

1. A water dispenser aeration tank structure, comprising a heat conductor (1), wherein the heat conductor (1) encapsulates and packages a tightly wound ice water pipe (2) and a refrigeration pipe (3), characterized in that, The heat conductor (1) has a cylinder (4) embedded inside, and a sealing end cap (5) is provided on the top of the cylinder (4). The sealing end cap (5) is provided with a water inlet (501), an air inlet (502) and a water outlet (503). The water inlet (501) is connected to the ice water pipe (2) to inject water into the cylinder (4). The air inlet (502) is connected to carbon dioxide to inject air into the cylinder (4). After the injected carbon dioxide dissolves in the water, it reaches the bottom chamber of the cylinder (4) through the through hole (601) on the base (6). The bottom chamber is used to supply bubble water to the outside. The base (6) is used to separate and store carbon dioxide dissolved and stable bubble water at the bottom of the cylinder (4) to avoid the dynamic influence of the upper layer of ice water and carbon dioxide mixing and dissolving during the process.

2. The water dispenser aerator structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The water inlet (501) injects water into the cylinder (4) along the side wall and in a non-vertical direction. The water injection process can form a vortex in the cylinder (4) to promote the dissolution of carbon dioxide.

3. The water dispenser aerator structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The bottom chamber of the cylinder (4) is connected to the outlet (503) via a pipe. The pipe is fixed together with the sealing end cap (5) and the base (6) as a combined structure.

4. The water dispenser aerator structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The sealing end cap (5) is provided with a pressure holding valve (504), which can control the pressure inside the cylinder (4) within a preset range; the through hole (601) is provided with a check valve to avoid the influence of pressure changes inside the cylinder (4) on the dilution of carbon dioxide in the bubble water in the bottom chamber.

5. The water dispenser aerator structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The sealing end cap (5) is provided with a probe (505) for detecting the water level inside the cylinder (4) and / or a temperature probe for detecting the water temperature.

6. The water dispenser aerator structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The sealing end cap (5) is sealed to the port of the cylinder (4) by a sealing ring and / or threads, and is fixed by a clamp (7).

7. The water dispenser aerator structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The base (6) is provided with a damping plate (602) to slow down the flow of water bubbles in the bottom chamber.

8. The water dispenser aerator structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The water inlet (501) and air inlet (502) are equipped with flow regulating valves to control and regulate the flow rate of both.

9. A multi-functional water dispenser, characterized in that, The water dispenser includes the water dispenser bubble chamber structure as described in any one of claims 1-8.

10. The multifunctional water dispenser according to claim 9, characterized in that, The water dispenser's bubble tank structure is externally provided with an insulation layer and / or a cooling component.

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