Beverage Tapping Unit with Separate Foam Valve
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beer tapping systems require manual operation to achieve the desired amount of foam, leading to inconsistent foam quantities and lack of automation in obtaining the right foam consistency.
Innovation Solution
A tapping unit with two separate lines and valves controlled by a logic control unit to manage the flow of beverage and foam independently, ensuring the automatic generation and control of foam, using proportional valves and sensors to adjust the flow and maintain desired foam characteristics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If a single line tapping system is used with manual control, then the device complexity is low, but the extent of automation is insufficient and foam quantity cannot be controlled automatically
Solution Approach 1:
The single tapping line is divided into two separate lines: a first line for beverage flow and a second line for foam flow. Each line has its own valve (first valve and second valve) controlled independently by the logic control unit, enabling automatic control of foam quantity while maintaining manageable system complexity through modular segmentation
Solution Approach 2:
A logic control unit is introduced as an intermediary between the manual control and the tapping valves. This control unit receives signals and automatically adjusts the first and second valves to achieve the desired foam quantity, automating the control process without requiring direct manual intervention on the valves themselves
2Manufacturing precision
If manual operation of the control lever is used, then the device complexity remains low, but the manufacturing precision of foam quantity is poor and inconsistent
Solution Approach 1:
The logic control unit implements a feedback control mechanism where it continuously monitors the tapping process and automatically adjusts the first and second valves based on the desired foam quantity parameters. This closed-loop control ensures consistent and precise foam quantity without manual intervention, achieving high manufacturing precision through automated feedback adjustment
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses dynamic control of the first and second valves through the logic control unit, which can adjust valve positions in real-time during the tapping process. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the system to maintain precise foam quantity control throughout the tapping operation, overcoming the static and inconsistent manual control approach
3Productivity
If separate lines for beverage and foam are used, then the productivity and consistency of foam delivery improve, but the device complexity increases due to additional valves and control mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The logic control unit serves multiple functions simultaneously: it controls both the first valve for beverage flow and the second valve for foam flow, integrates the control of both lines, and manages the coordination between them. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate control mechanisms, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while maintaining high productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The control functions for both the beverage line and foam line are merged into a single logic control unit that manages both first and second valves. This consolidation of control functions streamlines the system architecture, reducing the complexity that would otherwise arise from having separate control systems for each line while maintaining the productivity benefits of separate beverage and foam delivery paths
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates a tapping unit (1) for tapping a beverage (B) with foam (F), in particular beer (B) with foam (F). Said tapping unit (1) comprises a first line (L1), having an inlet (L11) for receiving a quantity of beverage (B) and an outlet (L12), a second line (L2), different from the first line (L1), having an inlet (L21) for receiving a quantity of beverage (B) and an outlet (L22), a first valve (V1), arranged on the first line (L1), a second valve (V2), arranged on the second line (L2), as well as a logic control unit (U) configured to send a first control signal for opening the first valve (V1) so that at least a quantity of beverage (B) is present at the outlet (L12) of the first line (L1), and to send a second control signal for opening the second valve (V2) so that at least a quantity of foam (F) is present at the outlet (L22) of the second line (L2). The present invention also relates to a method for tapping a beverage with foam.