Domestic Carbonator with Pressure-Based Liquid Level Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Domestic carbonation devices face issues with inconsistent carbonation results due to unstable CO2 cylinder pressure, lack of liquid level sensing, incorrect CO2 volume estimation, temperature compensation, and inflexible gas delivery, leading to sub-optimal carbonation and potential contamination.
Innovation Solution
The carbonation device measures liquid level by pressure changes, adjusts CO2 delivery based on temperature, and uses sensors to determine residual CO2 volume, allowing for precise control of gas volume and pressure to ensure consistent carbonation, with features like a pull solenoid for small gas volumes and a self-cleaning exhaust path.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a replaceable CO2 cylinder is used in domestic carbonation devices, then the device can be refilled and reused, but the cylinder pressure drops as it is depleted, resulting in inconsistent carbonation results
Solution Approach 1:
The device incorporates pressure sensors that continuously monitor CO2 cylinder pressure and provide feedback to the control system. This feedback enables the device to detect pressure drops and adjust carbonation parameters accordingly, maintaining consistent carbonation results throughout the cylinder's depletion cycle
Solution Approach 2:
The carbonation system dynamically adjusts carbonation parameters (such as injection pressure, flow rate, and duration) based on real-time cylinder pressure conditions. This dynamic adaptation ensures optimal carbonation performance across varying pressure levels as the cylinder is consumed
2Device complexity
If the device dispenses a fixed minimum volume of CO2 gas, then the mechanism is simple, but the smallest volume dispensed is sometimes more than desired or required by the consumer
Solution Approach 1:
The device enables partial carbonation by allowing users to initiate carbonation and stop it at any point during the process. The system dispenses CO2 in controllable increments rather than requiring completion of a full minimum volume cycle, giving consumers precise control over the amount of carbonation achieved
Solution Approach 2:
The gas delivery system transitions from fixed-volume dispensing to dynamic, user-controllable volume delivery. The control system monitors carbonation progress and allows interruption, enabling the device to deliver any volume from zero to the maximum capacity
3Device complexity
If the device lacks liquid level sensing, then the device structure is simpler, but the water level in the bottle has an impact on the performance of the device
Solution Approach 1:
The device incorporates level sensors that detect the liquid level in the bottle and provide feedback to the control system. This feedback enables the device to identify when the bottle is full or needs refilling, preventing overflow and ensuring optimal carbonation performance throughout the carbonation process
4Device complexity
If the device lacks temperature compensation, then the device structure is simpler, but inconsistent or sub-optimal carbonation results are obtained due to temperature variations
Solution Approach 1:
The device incorporates temperature sensors that monitor liquid temperature and provide feedback to the control system. This feedback enables the device to compensate for temperature variations by adjusting carbonation parameters such as CO2 injection rate and pressure, maintaining consistent carbonation results across different temperature conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The control system dynamically changes carbonation parameters (pressure, flow rate, duration) based on detected temperature conditions. The system adapts its operation to match the physical properties of the liquid at different temperatures, ensuring optimal carbonation regardless of thermal conditions
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
This solution ensures consistent carbonation levels across different CO2 cylinder volumes, prevents waste by accurate CO2 estimation, and maintains cleanliness by purging the exhaust path, resulting in improved performance and safety.
Implementation Method 1
the liquid level in a bottle to be carbonated is determined by measuring the pressure in the bottle during carbonation
Implementation Method 2
a separate and single purpose user input is provided that causes the device's microprocessor to activate a pull solenoid or solenoid valve associated with the carbon dioxide cylinder
Implementation Method 3
The solubility of the carbon dioxide in a liquid is proportional to the time under pressure and inversely proportional to the temperature
Data Source
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AI summary
A domestic beverage carbonator for carbonating a liquid in a bottle comprising temperature and pressure sensors that communicate with a processor to improve the carbonation process. The device further comprises a CO2 cylinder coupling and a cylinder discharge valve, an exhaust valve, a fill head and a user interface. The user interface further comprises user controls and a graphic display and the fill head has a pressure sensor to sense a pressure in the attached bottle and communicate a pressure signal to the processor and the processor uses the pressure signal to regulate the cylinder valve and the exhaust valve.