Beverage Dispenser Cleaning Using pH-Based Agent Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beverage dispensers face challenges in accurately measuring the presence of cleaning agents due to regional water hardness variations, leading to imprecise conductivity measurements, increased maintenance, and residual cleaning solutions affecting taste and smell, making the cleaning process more expensive and prone to faults.
Innovation Solution
The use of pH value measurement instead of conductivity to detect the cleaning agent, combined with a mixing container for preparing the cleaning medium and a sensor to initiate the cleaning process, ensures precise dosing and complete removal of cleaning residues, reducing maintenance and operational costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conductivity measurement is used to detect cleaning agent dosage, then the measurement can be performed continuously, but the measurement precision deteriorates due to water hardness variations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the measurement parameter from conductivity to pH value. pH measurement is used instead of conductivity measurement to detect cleaning agent dosage. This parameter change resolves the contradiction because pH measurement is not affected by water hardness variations, providing both continuous monitoring capability and high measurement precision.
2Extent of automation
If conductivity measurement is used to detect cleaning agent presence, then the device can operate automatically, but the reliability deteriorates due to imprecise measurements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the detection parameter from conductivity to pH value. This ensures reliable detection of cleaning agent presence and dosage for automatic control, as pH measurement is not influenced by water hardness variations that would compromise reliability.
3Measurement precision
If calibration to water hardness reference points is performed regularly, then the measurement accuracy can be maintained, but the device complexity and maintenance requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes from conductivity measurement requiring calibration to pH measurement. pH measurement does not require calibration to water hardness reference points, eliminating the complex calibration system while maintaining high measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the calibration requirement from the measurement system. By using pH measurement instead of conductivity measurement, the calibration step is completely removed from the system, simplifying the device and reducing maintenance requirements.
4Device complexity
If imprecise conductivity measurement is used, then the device structure can be simpler, but harmful factors increase due to cleaning residues affecting beverage taste and smell
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the measurement parameter to pH, which provides precise detection of cleaning agent presence. This precise measurement enables complete removal of cleaning residues through thorough rinsing, eliminating harmful factors like taste and smell contamination while maintaining simple device structure.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution allows for precise and cost-effective cleaning agent dosing, automatic initiation of the cleaning process, and complete removal of cleaning residues, minimizing maintenance and ensuring consistent beverage quality by using pH value measurement and a mixing container with sensors.
Implementation Method 1
the means for detecting the dosage of the cleaning agent comprise means for measuring the pH value
Data Source
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AI summary
The device has a unit for introducing and implementing a cleaning process, lines (4,5,11) that serve beverage to a beverage dispenser, and devices to carry cleaners (9,9a,9b,9c,22 to 25) for partly cleaning the lines. Devices are provided for identifying dosages (A,A',B). The device for identifying the dosing has devices for measuring the pH value. An independent claim is also included for a method for cleaning a beverage dispenser.