Carbonating Tap Valve Design Without Separate Appliances
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solutions for making tap water fizzy require the purchase of separate electrical appliances, such as automatic or manual carbonators, which are not integrated with the tap system.
Innovation Solution
A tap system that integrates a municipal water inlet and a pressurized gas inlet, allowing direct dispensing of water and simultaneous addition of gas, such as CO2, without the need for additional electrical appliances, using a valve mechanism to control gas flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If separate carbonation appliances are used to make tap water fizzy, then gas can be added to water, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the water dispensing function and gas addition function into a single integrated tap system. The main body of the tap integrates both the water outlet and gas outlet, eliminating the need for separate carbonation appliances. The mixer component further integrates the mixing of gas and water streams, creating a unified system that performs multiple functions in one device.
Solution Approach 2:
The tap system is designed to perform multiple functions: dispensing water, adding gas, and mixing them together. The main body of the tap serves as both a water dispenser and a gas dispenser, while the mixer component enables the combination of both streams. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate specialized appliances.
2Quantity of substance
If manual carbonators with pressurized tanks are used, then gas can be added to water, but the ease of operation decreases due to manual filling requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system utilizes the existing municipal water supply infrastructure to provide water automatically, eliminating the need for manual filling operations. The pressurized gas tank is integrated into the tap system, and the automatic valve opens to allow gas flow when water is dispensing, reducing manual intervention. The mixer automatically combines the gas and water streams without user action.
Solution Approach 2:
The water container is pre-filled with water from the municipal supply before gas addition begins. The system is pre-configured with the pressurized gas tank connected to the main body. When operation is initiated, the automatic valve and mixer are already in position to receive and combine the pre-prepared water and gas streams.
3Productivity
If automatic carbonators connected to municipal water supply are used, then water can be dispensed and carbonated, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces electrical carbonation mechanisms with a purely mechanical solution. Instead of using electric pumps, heaters, or control systems, the invention relies on mechanical components: the main body of the tap, the automatic valve, and the mixer. The pressurized gas tank provides the driving force mechanically, and the mixing process occurs through the physical interaction of gas and water streams without electrical intervention.
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 fizzy water directly from a tap by mixing gas with water within a container, eliminating the need for separate carbonation devices and providing a cost-effective and integrated solution for home use.
Implementation Method 1
the gas is dispensed from the injector, which is directly connected to the second outlet, so as to ensure the mixing of the gas in the water that has been previously dispensed
Implementation Method 2
Manual carbonators are instead movable carbonators as they have a pressurised tank containing gas
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~9B
Figure 3
AI summary
A system (50) is disclosed that comprises a tap (1) for dispensing water and adding a gas thereto, which comprises: a main body (2) which comprises a first outlet (3) for dispensing water towards outside and a second outlet (8) for dispensing gas towards outside; a pressurised tank (7) containing a gas; an injector (9) which is couplable to the second outlet (8) and which extends, when coupled to the second outlet (8), starting from the second outlet (8), towards outside; a second valve (11) which: is interposed between the first gas inlet conduit (10) and the main body (2); comprises: a first valve inlet (12) which is connected to the first gas inlet conduit (10); a first valve outlet (13) which is connected to the main body (2); a second valve outlet (14) which is connected to the outside; is configured to assume: an operating configuration (CO): in which fluid communication is permitted between the first gas inlet conduit (10) and the main body (2); a non-operating configuration (CN): in which fluid communication is permitted between the main body (2) and the outside. The tap (1) is configured in such a way that, during use, when the second valve (11) assumes the operating configuration (CO), the pressurised tank (7) and the main body (2) are in fluid communication with one another so that the gas is dispensed in order to be added to the water.