Beverage Dispenser Nozzle Sanitization With Controlled Fluid Circulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beverage dispensing systems face challenges in maintaining cleanliness and sanitation, particularly in accessing and thoroughly sanitizing components like O-rings and lines, which is often difficult or impossible without reliable labor.
Innovation Solution
A sanitizing system for beverage dispensers that includes a nozzle with an annular and central flow path, a heater, sensors for temperature, pressure, and flow rate control, and a controller to automate the sanitization process, ensuring thorough and timely cleaning of the system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual sanitization is used, then labor flexibility is maintained, but sanitization thoroughness and reliability deteriorate due to difficulty in accessing components like O-rings and lines
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service sanitization by automatically circulating sanitizing solution through the dispensing system components. The pump-driven circulation system and integrated nozzle design allow the system to sanitize itself without manual intervention, reliably reaching O-rings and lines that are difficult to access manually.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses hydraulic principles by pumping sanitizing solution through the dispensing system's fluid pathways. The pump circulates the sanitizing solution through lines and components, ensuring thorough penetration and contact with all surfaces including O-rings and internal passages that are inaccessible to manual cleaning.
2Reliability
If automated sanitization is implemented, then sanitization thoroughness improves, but system complexity increases due to additional components like pumps, heaters, and sensors
Solution Approach 1:
The nozzle serves multiple functions: it dispenses beverages during normal operation and directs sanitizing solution during sanitization cycles. The pump serves dual purposes of circulating both beverage and sanitizing solution through the system. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated sanitization components, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining thoroughness.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses a single pump and basic heating capability that can handle both beverage and sanitizing solution by changing operational parameters rather than requiring separate specialized equipment. The controller adjusts flow rates, temperatures, and circulation patterns to accommodate different fluid types, avoiding the complexity of dedicated sanitization hardware.
3Reliability
If heating is applied to sanitizing liquid, then sanitization effectiveness improves, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heating element operates periodically rather than continuously, activating only during sanitization cycles when the sanitizing solution is circulating through the system. The controller monitors the sanitization process and controls the heater to maintain optimal temperature only when needed, reducing overall energy consumption while ensuring effective sanitization when the heating is active.
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 system provides dependable, thorough, and easy-to-use sanitization, ensuring cleanliness and hygiene in beverage dispensing systems by automating the sanitization process and maintaining optimal conditions for sanitation.
Implementation Method 1
A heater is provided for heating sanitizing liquid before reaching the nozzle inlet
Implementation Method 2
there can be a pump for pumping sanitizing liquid from a sanitizing liquid source to the nozzle
Implementation Method 3
there is a controller for controlling the heater where the system comprises a temperature sensor for sensing the temperature of the sanitizing liquid
Implementation Method 4
a flow rate sensor for sensing the flow rate of the sanitizing liquid. The flow rate sensor is capable of providing an output to the controller based on the sensed flow rate
Implementation Method 5
there can be a pressure sensor for sensing the pressure of the sanitizing liquid, the pressure sensor being capable of providing an output to the controller based on the sensed pressure
Data Source
AI summary
A system for cleaning a beverage dispenser that has a nozzle for receiving a beverage and a sanitizing fluid as a housing. The housing has an outer wall and inner wall with an annular flow path between the walls. There is a central flow path through the nozzle and a connection for fluid flow of sanitizing fluid between the central flow path and the annular flow path. The nozzle also has inlet for introduction of the sanitizing fluid. The system can be provided with a controller for controlling temperature, pressure and flow rate of the sanitizing fluid, the controller including memory for storing information when sanitization occurred.