Dispensing Valve with Diaphragm Backflow Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing dispensing valves in vending machines are overly complex and prone to intermixing of flavors, especially with viscous sugary fluids, and lack effective backflow prevention to prevent air contamination and crystallization of syrups.

Innovation Solution

A dispensing valve assembly with a housing featuring multiple inlet passageways connected to pressure-responsive diaphragm valve elements that open when pressure exceeds a predetermined value, preventing backflow and allowing for quick cleaning, utilizing a diaphragm valve construction with spring-biased cups to ensure reliable operation with viscous liquids.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If rotary selector valves are used to control flow from multiple inlets, then flavor selection is enabled, but the valve gets gummed up and stuck when viscous sugary fluids are used

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflavor selection capabilityVSAvoidvalve operation reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The single rotary selector valve is segmented into multiple independent diaphragm valves, each controlling flow from a separate inlet. This segmentation eliminates the mechanical complexity of the rotary selector while maintaining multi-flavor capability, and each simple diaphragm valve is less prone to gumming up with viscous fluids.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The mechanical rotary selector valve system is replaced with a pressure-responsive diaphragm valve system. Instead of mechanically rotating to select flavors, the system uses pressure differential across diaphragms to automatically open the appropriate valve, eliminating the mechanical components that get gummed up with sugary fluids.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If back flow prevention valves are added to prevent air contamination, then product quality is improved, but the valve structure becomes overly complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveair contamination preventionVSAvoidvalve structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The flow control function and backflow prevention function are merged into a single diaphragm valve structure. The diaphragm serves dual purposes: it opens to allow flow when pressure is applied and simultaneously prevents backflow when closed, eliminating the need for separate backflow prevention valves and reducing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The diaphragm valve element is designed to perform multiple functions: flow control, backflow prevention, and sealing. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for additional specialized components, maintaining simplicity while achieving comprehensive protection against air contamination.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Productivity

If multiple supplies are routed through a common outlet, then dispensing efficiency is improved, but backflow causes intermixing of different flavors

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedispensing efficiencyVSAvoidflavor intermixing

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Individual outlet passages serve as intermediaries between each diaphragm valve and the common dispensing outlet. These separate passages maintain physical separation of different flavors until the point of dispensing, preventing intermixing in the supply lines while still allowing efficient common outlet dispensing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 solution effectively controls the flow of multiple flavors, prevents backflow, and facilitates easy cleaning, ensuring consistent dispensing and preventing syrup crystallization, even with high-viscosity syrups like chocolate, by using diaphragm valves that open under pressure and close with spring bias, maintaining product quality and machine efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

A spring biases the diaphragm to close on a discharge outlet seat

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSpring bias: Spring

Implementation Method 2

Pressure in the inlet passageway moves the diaphragm away from the discharge outlet seat if the pressure overcomes the bias

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure differential: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentUS7533684B1Dispensing valve with back flow protection

Publication Date: 2009.05.19 ASCO LP

AI summary

A dispensing valve assembly with a housing having a plurality of inlet passageways connectable at a respective upstream end to a respective supply source. Each inlet passageway is in communication with a pressure responsive valve element. The valve element is biased to abut a discharge valve seat in a closed position about an upstream end of an outlet passage. The valve element is moveable to an open position when pressure in its respective inlet passageway exceeds a predetermined value. Each outlet passage is in fluid communication with a common dispensing outlet.