Beverage Dispenser Ratio Control via Nutating Pump
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid dispensers in the food and beverage industry face challenges in achieving a consistent and adjustable mix ratio between concentrates and diluents, often resulting in complex mechanisms prone to malfunction and difficulties in maintaining high flow rates and preventing leaks.
Innovation Solution
A beverage dispenser system that continuously adjusts fluid flow to achieve a desired compositional ratio by monitoring the diluent flow rate and actively adjusting the concentrate flow using a nutating pump, motor, and encoder, allowing for precise control of the mixing ratio without simultaneously adjusting both fluid supplies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If reciprocating pistons are used to control both concentrate input and diluent input, then the mixing ratio can be controlled, but the flow rate cannot be maintained at high levels and leak problems occur in the chambers separating the two supply fluids
Solution Approach 1:
The invention separates the control of concentrate and diluent flows into independent systems. The diluent flow is controlled by its own valve and flow meter, while the concentrate flow is controlled by a peristaltic pump. This segmentation eliminates the need for complex reciprocating piston mechanisms and their associated leak problems, while maintaining high flow rates through independent control pathways.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the mechanical reciprocating piston system with a combination of electronic flow metering and peristaltic pumping. The peristaltic pump uses rhythmic compression of tubing to move concentrate, eliminating mechanical seals and chambers that are prone to leaking. This substitution maintains precise mixing ratio control while enabling high flow rates without the mechanical limitations of piston systems.
2Manufacturing precision
If complex mechanisms are used to control the mixing ratio, then the desired compositional ratio can be achieved, but the system becomes prone to malfunction and requires frequent maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The peristaltic pump design is inherently self-sealing as the tubing itself forms the seal through compression and relaxation cycles. There are no separate seals or valves requiring maintenance in the concentrate path. The system automatically maintains its sealing function through the pumping action itself, eliminating the need for frequent maintenance and reducing malfunction potential while preserving precise compositional ratio control.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the concentrate handling function from the complex reciprocating piston mechanism and places it in a dedicated peristaltic pump system. This separation removes the sources of malfunction (chamber seals, piston rings, complex valve timing) while maintaining the essential function of controlled concentrate delivery for precise mixing ratio achievement.
3Manufacturing precision
If both fluid supplies are actively adjusted to maintain mix ratio, then the compositional ratio can be precisely controlled, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts only the concentrate flow rate in response to measured diluent flow rate. The microprocessor continuously monitors diluent flow and modulates the peristaltic pump speed accordingly. This dynamic, one-way adjustment maintains precise mix ratio control while keeping the control mechanism simpler than systems that must actively control both fluid supplies simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a microprocessor-based control system as an intermediary that receives flow meter signals and automatically adjusts the peristaltic pump. This intelligent intermediary handles the complex calculations and control decisions, allowing the physical hardware to remain relatively simple while achieving precise compositional ratio control through software-based regulation of a single fluid supply.
4Ease of operation
If the mixing mechanism is simplified to reduce complexity, then the device becomes easier to operate, but the ability to adjust fluid flow when the desired ratio changes is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The system allows easy adjustment of the desired mixing ratio by changing control parameters in the microprocessor. The operator can input different concentrate-to-diluent ratios through the control interface, and the system automatically recalibrates the peristaltic pump control algorithm. This parameter-based adjustment maintains operational simplicity while providing full adaptability to different mixing requirements without mechanical reconfiguration.
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 ensures a consistent and efficient mixing process, maintaining high flow rates while preventing leaks and allowing for easy adjustment of the mix ratio, enhancing reliability and operational simplicity.
Implementation Method 1
a nutating pump configured to transfer the concentrate from the concentrate supply to the mixing chamber
Implementation Method 2
the encoder is also configured to send a feedback signal in relation to a current rotary speed of the motor to the control
Implementation Method 3
a refrigeration system having a plate heat exchanger for refrigerating the diluent
Implementation Method 4
the mixing chamber receives the diluent from the diluent supply and the concentrate from the nutating pump
Data Source
AI summary
A beverage dispenser provides numerous inventive features in its refrigeration system (82), diluent delivery system (78), concentrate delivery system (74), mixing and dispensing system (76), and control system. The refrigeration system (82) employs a plate heat exchanger to provide on demand refrigeration of an intermittent water flow. The diluent delivery system includes a flowmeter/solenoid/check-valve assembly. The concentrate delivery system employs a positive displacement pump. The mixing and dispensing system includes a mixing nozzle (80) that has a locking feature such that an elevated blocking surface directly faces the inlet of pressurized diluent to create turbulence. The control system receives package-specific information from a scanner and diluent flow rate information from the flowmeter, and then determines the pump speed in order to set a desired mix ratio.