Beverage Dispenser Detector for Safe Keg Exchange
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Solution Overview
Problem
Beverage dispensing systems face hygiene issues due to residual beverage accumulation, which can lead to bacterial growth and clogging, and safety concerns during keg exchange and cleaning operations, with existing solutions not adequately addressing these problems.
Innovation Solution
A system using detectors to determine the operational mode of the dispensing system, preventing unauthorized use and ensuring safety by controlling pressure fluid supply, and an external cleaning and flushing cartridge for safe and efficient cleaning and flushing operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the pressure chamber is opened for keg exchange, then the beverage container is accessible, but pressurized fluid may escape and cause injury
Solution Approach 1:
A detector acts as an intermediary between the pressure chamber state and the control valve. The detector senses whether the pressure chamber is closed or open and sends a signal to the control valve, which then adjusts its position accordingly. This intermediary mechanism prevents pressurized fluid from escaping during keg exchange while maintaining operational accessibility.
2Reliability
If cleaning fluid is supplied to the tapping line, then the beverage dispensing system is cleaned, but the beverage container may be contaminated
Solution Approach 1:
The control valve serves as an intermediary that selectively allows cleaning fluid to reach the tapping line while preventing it from entering the beverage container. The valve's position is controlled by the detector's signal, ensuring that cleaning operations are isolated to the appropriate circuit only, thus maintaining beverage container hygiene.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning fluid path is extracted and separated from the beverage container circuit. By using the control valve to direct cleaning fluid only to the tapping line and discharge valve, the system extracts the cleaning function from the beverage dispensing path, preventing contamination of the beverage container while still achieving effective cleaning of the tapping line.
3Reliability
If the detector does not supply control pressure, then the pressure chamber cannot be pressurized, but beverage dispensing cannot occur
Solution Approach 1:
The detector provides continuous feedback about the pressure chamber state to the control valve. When the pressure chamber is properly closed and ready, the detector supplies control pressure to the control valve, enabling beverage dispensing. When the chamber is open or improper conditions exist, the detector withholds control pressure, preventing unsafe pressurization. This feedback mechanism ensures both safety and operational availability.
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
The system effectively prevents accidents and maintains hygiene by ensuring the dispensing system is in a safe operational mode before cleaning or flushing, and allows for thorough cleaning without risking contamination or injury.
Implementation Method 1
a detector (132) having a pressure input for receiving fluid pressure from the rinsing cartridge (132) and a control pressure output
Implementation Method 2
the pressure fluid acts on the beverage and forces the beverage out of the pressure chamber
Implementation Method 3
the beverage keg collapses while dispensing the beverage and the volume of the beverage keg is reduced corresponding to the amount of dispensed beverage
Data Source
Figure 1A~1C
Figure 2A~2C
Figure 3A~3C
AI summary
The present invention relates to a method of detecting the operational mode of a beverage dispensing system, which comprises a sealable pressure chamber (10) to be shifted between a first open position and a second closed position, a collapsible keg (168) to be received within the sealable pressure chamber, a tapping line (68), at least during use connected to the collapsible keg, and a fluid pressure source (112) connected to the pressure chamber for pressurising the pressure chamber. The beverage dispensing system further comprises a first detector having a pressure input and a control pressure output and a second detector having a pressure input and a control pressure output. The method comprises evaluating as a logical AND the control pressures from the control pressure outputs of the detectors and determining the operational mode of the beverage dispensing system.