Beverage Cooling Tap Device with Quick-Exchange Gas Cartridge
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beverage cooling and dispensing devices face challenges with tedious CO2 cartridge replacement, inability to automatically adjust gas pressure to beverage conditions, and difficulty in cleaning, leading to over- or under-carbonation and residue issues.
Innovation Solution
A beverage cooling and dispensing device with a replaceable compressed gas cartridge and pressure control system, allowing for quick cartridge exchange via a quick coupling device, and a flow-through cooler, along with sensors for pressure and temperature control, ensuring optimal carbonation and hygiene.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If CO2 cartridges are screwed into the compressed gas line via a sleeve with a thread, then the compressed gas source is securely connected, but the cartridge replacement becomes tedious and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into modular components: a reusable dispenser unit and replaceable cartridges that contain both CO2 and beverage. This segmentation allows the cartridge to be quickly inserted and removed without threading, while the dispenser maintains secure connection through its internal mechanism designed to hold multiple cartridges.
Solution Approach 2:
The threading mechanism is extracted from the cartridge itself and relocated to the dispenser unit. The cartridge is simplified to a container that is held in place by the dispenser's clamping or locking mechanism, eliminating the need for threaded connections on the cartridge and enabling quick replacement.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the compressed gas pressure is manually adjusted, then the gas source can be connected, but the pressure cannot be automatically adjusted to match beverage pressure and temperature, causing over- or under-carbonation
Solution Approach 1:
Pressure sensors detect the beverage pressure and temperature conditions, providing feedback to a control system that automatically adjusts the CO2 release rate. This closed-loop control ensures the gas pressure matches the beverage conditions, maintaining consistent carbonation without manual intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-adjustment of gas pressure based on sensor readings of beverage temperature and pressure. The control unit automatically regulates the CO2 flow to achieve optimal carbonation, eliminating the need for manual pressure adjustment by the user.
3Temperature
If a large volume cooler is used to cool the entire beverage storage container, then the beverage can be cooled thoroughly, but the cooling process becomes time-consuming and energy-intensive
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of cooling the entire beverage storage container, a compact cooler unit cools only the specific portion of beverage that will be dispensed. This localized cooling approach maintains optimal drinking temperature for the dispensed beverage while minimizing cooling time and energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The beverage is pre-cooled in the storage container before being transferred to the dispensing system. This preliminary cooling action allows the main cooler to focus on maintaining optimal temperature for the smaller volume being dispensed, reducing overall cooling time.
4Device complexity
If the device is not connected to a drinking water pipe for flushing, then the device structure remains simple, but cleaning becomes difficult and residue buildup occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning function is extracted from the main dispenser body and integrated into the replaceable cartridge system. The cartridge contains a cleaning solution reservoir and dispensing mechanism, allowing the user to easily attach and detach a cleaning cartridge without modifying the main device or requiring external water connections.
Solution Approach 2:
The same cartridge interface and dispensing mechanism used for beverage distribution is also used for cleaning solution distribution. This multi-functionality allows the device to perform both beverage serving and self-cleaning operations without requiring separate cleaning systems or external water pipe connections.
5Adaptability or versatility
If the compressed gas cartridge volume is not matched to the beverage storage container volume, then the gas system can be standardized, but multiple cartridges are needed for smaller beverage volumes, increasing replacement frequency
Solution Approach 1:
The gas and beverage are segmented into proportional units within the cartridge. Smaller beverage volumes come with proportionally smaller CO2 cartridges, while larger volumes use larger cartridges. This segmentation allows each cartridge size to be optimally matched to its corresponding beverage volume, eliminating the need for frequent replacements.
Solution Approach 2:
The cartridge system offers multiple size variants with different volumes of both beverage and CO2 gas. By changing the parameter of cartridge size to match the beverage storage container volume, the system achieves optimal gas-to-beverage ratios without requiring frequent cartridge replacements.
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
Enables consistent, fresh, and properly carbonated beverage dispensing with quick temperature adjustment and thorough cleaning, preventing residue buildup and algae growth.
Implementation Method 1
a flow-through cooler (4), the volume of which corresponds to approximately 0.02 times to approximately 0.1 times the volume of the beverage storage container (2)
Implementation Method 2
the compressed gas system has a pressure control device with at least one pressure and/or temperature sensor, the pressure control device being designed such that the pressure of the gas can be controlled as a function of the pressure and/or temperature of the beverage
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 3
AI summary
The device has a tapping unit (3) attached to a beverage storage container (2) and connected with a tap by a pipeline (10). A cooling device (4) is provided for cooling of beverages in the container and/or in the pipeline. A pressure gas system for tapping of the beverages and/or for cleaning of the pipeline has an exchangeable pressure gas cartridge (7) with 10 to 30 grams of gas, where the volume of the cartridge is adapted to the volume of the container. The cooling device has a passage or a batch cooler, whose volume corresponds to 0.02-times to 0.1-times of the volume of the container. An independent claim is also included for a set comprising a beverage cooling and tapping device.