Beverage supply apparatus
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beverage supply apparatuses struggle to produce a mixed beverage of predetermined viscosity with satisfactory reproducibility, especially when using air supply pumps with excessive delivery pressure and flow rate performance.
Innovation Solution
A beverage supply apparatus that includes a tank for a liquid beverage, a beverage flow path, a beverage conveying pump, an air flow path, and an air supply pump, with a release path to discharge excess air, allowing for adjustment of the air flow rate via the release path's sectional area to achieve the desired viscosity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If an air supply pump with excessive delivery pressure and flow rate performance is used, then the air supply capability is improved, but the manufacturing precision of the mixed beverage viscosity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The air supply system is segmented into multiple independent pathways: a first air supply pathway with a first air supply pump for supplying air to the liquid beverage, and a second air supply pathway with a second air supply pump for supplying air to the mixed beverage. This segmentation allows each pump to be optimized for its specific function, with the first pump providing excessive air supply capability that can be controlled through the release path, while the second pump provides precise air supply for viscosity control.
Solution Approach 2:
A release path is introduced as an intermediary component between the first air supply pump and the liquid beverage. This release path includes a release valve that can discharge excess air from the first air supply pathway, acting as a mediator to prevent the excessive air supply capability from negatively affecting the mixed beverage viscosity. The release path absorbs the excess air flow and pressure, allowing the first pump to operate at high capacity without compromising precision.
2Temperature
If the amount of air mixed with milk is increased to produce high viscosity mixed beverage, then the viscosity is improved, but the reproducibility of predetermined viscosity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs dynamic control mechanisms where the release valve in the release path can be adjusted to discharge varying amounts of excess air from the first air supply pathway. Additionally, the second air supply pump provides dynamic air supply adjustment for the mixed beverage. This dynamic control allows the system to maintain consistent mixed beverage viscosity by compensating for variations in the first pump's excessive air supply, thereby improving reproducibility while maintaining high viscosity.
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 the production of a mixed beverage with predetermined viscosity even when using air supply pumps with excessive performance, ensuring reproducibility and accuracy in air supply.
Implementation Method 1
driving the air supply pump 9, thereby supplying air into the beverage flow path L3
Implementation Method 2
a beverage conveying pump provided in the beverage flow path; drives the beverage conveying pump, thereby delivering and supplying a mixed beverage
Implementation Method 3
a release path for discharging a portion of the air flowing through the air flow path to the outside
Data Source
AI summary
Beverage supply apparatus (100) has milk tank (3), milk flow path (L3) connecting the milk tank to beverage delivery port (10), first pump (7), air flow path (L6) to supply air via its connection portion (Z1), and third pump (9). The apparatus drives the third pump to supply air to the milk flow path, and drives the first pump to thereby deliver and supply a mixed beverage of milk and air from the beverage delivery port. The apparatus includes path (L7) for releasing a portion of the air flowing through the air flow path, one end portion of which is connected to release point (Z8) which is a predetermined portion of the air flow path between a beverage flow path side end portion (location of a connection portion (Z6)) and the third pump. The other end portion thereof is open to the outside.