Instant Beverage Hydraulic Circuit With Piston Relief Valve
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing instant beverage machines face issues with scale buildup, noise, limited functionality, and reliability due to electromagnet valves, which are affected by scale, noisy, and unable to control both steam and liquid phases effectively, requiring complex manual operations and additional components for safety and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A hydraulic circuit with a relief and safety valve topology using one electromagnet and one boiler, featuring a 'slide' type relief valve that reduces pressure, eliminates noise, and integrates multiple functions, including self-recharging and temperature control, to ensure efficient beverage preparation and safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If electromagnet valves with stem (needle) valve are used for controlling water discharge and steam, then the machine can perform basic beverage preparation functions, but the valves are affected by scale buildup, produce noise, and cannot reliably control both liquid and vapor phases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the valve mechanism from a stem/needle type to a piston type, fundamentally altering the operational parameters and mechanical structure to eliminate scale accumulation issues while maintaining control functionality for both liquid and vapor phases
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts and eliminates the problematic stem/needle valve components that are prone to scale buildup, replacing them with a piston mechanism that is immune to scale interference, thereby removing the source of reliability issues
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple valves are used to control different phases (steam and liquid), then comprehensive control is achieved, but the device complexity increases and requires additional boilers or heat exchangers
Solution Approach 1:
The piston valve is designed as a universal component that can control both liquid water and steam phases through its piston mechanism, eliminating the need for separate valves and additional boilers or heat exchangers, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining comprehensive phase control
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the functions of multiple specialized valves into a single piston valve that handles both liquid and vapor phases, consolidating control mechanisms and eliminating redundant components such as additional boilers or heat exchangers
3Stress or pressure
If electromagnet valves are used for pressure control, then basic pressure regulation is achieved, but the valves produce noise and cannot maintain constant temperature effectively
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the electromagnet valve's electromagnetic actuation mechanism with a piston-based mechanical system controlled by a solenoid, substituting the direct electromagnetic valve design with a piston mechanism that reduces noise while maintaining pressure control capability
Solution Approach 2:
The piston acts as an intermediary between the solenoid control and the fluid flow, mediating the pressure control function in a way that eliminates the noise generated by direct electromagnet valve operation while maintaining effective pressure regulation
4Ease of manufacture
If complex manual operations are performed for circuit recharge or drainage, then the machine can be operated without additional automated components, but user convenience decreases and operation time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The piston valve system enables automatic recharge and drainage operations through its inherent mechanical design, allowing the circuit to service itself without requiring complex manual user operations, thereby improving ease of operation while maintaining structural simplicity
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 solution enhances the reliability and safety of instant beverage machines by maintaining constant temperature, reducing noise, preventing scale issues, and enabling efficient cleaning and self-recharging, while ensuring the beverage is prepared at an ideal temperature, thus improving user experience and machine performance.
Implementation Method 1
a relief valve (16) provided with one inlet and three outlets... the relief valve (16) makes the water flow inside said delivery unit
Implementation Method 2
the boiler can heat up the water to a preset temperature value
Implementation Method 3
the pump 13, pressurises the water contained in the hydraulic circuit
Implementation Method 4
a valve called electromagnet with a one-way (or multi-way) solenoid valve
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4a
AI summary
Hydraulic circuit for instant beverage machines comprising a tank (10), a water extraction pipe (11) contained in said tank (10), a flow-meter (12) connected to said extraction pipe (11), a pump (13), a first vibration-damping valve (14), a boiler (15), a second relief and safety valve (16), a water/steam faucet (17), a third beverage flow valve (18), a recovery tank (19).