Improved beverage dispenser and associated method for suppression of germ formation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beverage dispensers fail to account for user preferences in mineral concentration, leading to user dissatisfaction, and they often suffer from germ formation due to stagnation of water in tanks.
Innovation Solution
A beverage dispenser with a controller and flow sensors that adjusts the flow rate of water through various treatment components, such as filters and mineralization devices, to ensure consistent mineralization and prevent stagnation, using a system that includes a reverse osmosis filter, flow type tempering and carbonizing devices, and an ion exchanger to provide customizable water recipes while maintaining water quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If water is stored in tanks for cooling and carbonizing, then water treatment functions are achieved, but stagnation occurs leading to germ formation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the water storage tank from the system entirely. Instead of storing water in a tank where stagnation and germ formation occur, the system processes water continuously through cooling and carbonizing chambers without storage, thereby eliminating the harmful stagnation environment while maintaining the necessary water treatment functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs cooling and carbonizing treatments on water before it reaches the user, using flow-type processors that treat water in real-time as it passes through. This preliminary processing eliminates the need for subsequent storage, ensuring water is treated and delivered continuously without stagnation periods that would allow germ formation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If tanks are used for water storage and treatment, then water preparation functions are provided, but stagnation leads to reduced water quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous flow processing where water constantly moves through cooling and carbonizing chambers. This continuous action replaces batch processing in tanks, ensuring water is always being treated rather than sitting stagnant, thereby maintaining consistent high quality while providing versatile water preparation options.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses hydraulic flow mechanisms to continuously move water through the treatment process. Flow-type cooling and carbonizing devices utilize water movement and pressure to perform treatment functions without requiring storage tanks, eliminating stagnation while maintaining comprehensive water preparation capabilities.
3Manufacturing precision
If flow rate is not controlled, then system operation is simple, but mineralization consistency cannot be ensured
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates flow sensors that continuously monitor water flow rate through the mineralization process. This feedback mechanism allows the system to detect and maintain consistent flow conditions, ensuring uniform mineralization. The feedback control adds only minimal complexity while achieving precise mineralization consistency that would be impossible with uncontrolled flow.
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 provides high-quality water that meets user preferences by ensuring consistent mineralization and preventing germ formation through continuous water flow, enhancing user satisfaction and safety.
Implementation Method 1
a reverse osmosis filter having an input, a permeate output and a concentrate output
Implementation Method 2
A flow sensor is connected between the permeate output and the outlet, wherein the flow sensor determines the flow rate of the permeate
Implementation Method 3
The beverage dispenser comprises a pump for pumping water to the input of the reverse osmosis filter
Implementation Method 4
The controller controls the pump such that the permeate has an actual flow rate that corresponds to a set flow rate, wherein the actual flow rate is determined by the flow sensor
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention discloses a beverage dispenser, comprising: - an inlet connected to a water source; - an outlet for dispensing the water to a user vessel; - at least one filter element having an input and an output for filtered water; - a pump for pumping water to the input of the filter element; - a flow sensor connected between the inlet and the outlet, wherein the flow sensor determines the actual flow rate of the water; - at least one water preparation element connected between the output for outputting filtered water and the outlet and adapted to prepare the water for drinking by a human, wherein the water preparation element comprises a water preparation rate input by which the water preparation rate of the water preparation element can be controlled; and - a controller connected to the water preparation rate input of the water preparation element and the flow sensor, wherein the controller controls the water preparation rate of the water preparation element by a signal to the water preparation rate input such that the water preparation rate is proportional to the actual flow rate.