Pressurized Liquid Dispensing Valve with External Stem Activation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid dispensing devices under pressure face challenges with complex constructions, difficult cleaning, and excessive foam generation, especially when dispensing carbonated beverages like beer and soft drinks, which leads to inefficiencies and hygiene issues.
Innovation Solution
A device with a mechanically activated valve body that uses the pressure of the liquid to force the valve against a seat, allowing for simple and reliable operation, easy cleaning, and minimal foam generation, featuring a stem that extends through the outlet body for intuitive activation and laminar flow control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If electromagnetic activation means are used to open or close the issuing nozzle, then the device can be activated anywhere, but the construction becomes complex and difficult to clean
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the electromagnetic activation means from the device, extracting the complex internal mechanism that made cleaning difficult. Instead, it uses a simple mechanical stem that extends outward for activation, eliminating the need for complex internal electromagnetic components while maintaining activation flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of activating the device from the inside through electromagnetic means, the patent inverts the approach by providing a stem that extends outward from the outlet body. This allows activation from the outside by pressing against a surface, simplifying the internal construction while maintaining operational flexibility.
2Reliability
If a resilient sealing element is used in the nozzle, then liquid flow can be controlled, but the interior surfaces become difficult to clean and maintain hygiene
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the sealing function from the outlet body by using a separate valve body with a valve seat. This segmentation allows the sealing surfaces to be flat and smooth for easy cleaning, while still providing reliable liquid flow control through the valve mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent describes an embodiment where the entire outlet body can be detached and replaced, effectively making it a disposable component. This solves the cleaning issue by allowing complete replacement rather than cleaning, while maintaining reliable sealing through the valve mechanism.
3Productivity
If the liquid is dispensed under high pressure, then dispensing speed increases, but excessive foam is generated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the pressure parameter by providing a pressure reducing valve that reduces the high pressure from the liquid supply to a lower dispensing pressure. This allows rapid dispensing without excessive foam generation, as the pressure is optimized for the dispensing stage rather than maintained at high levels throughout the system.
4Device complexity
If the valve body is completely internal, then the construction is compact, but cleaning requires complete dismantling of the device
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of making the valve body completely internal for compactness, the patent inverts the approach by providing a stem that extends outward from the outlet body. This allows the valve mechanism to remain compact internally while providing external access for activation and potential cleaning/maintenance.
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 device enables rapid and efficient dispensing of liquids with minimal foam, maintaining carbonation and achieving high hygiene standards, capable of filling a pint glass in 2-5 seconds and allowing for controlled foam generation.
Implementation Method 1
the valve body is urged by the pressure in the liquid against the valve seat
Implementation Method 2
a resilient member is arranged coaxially with the longitudinal axis on the outside of the outlet body... which in use will be compressed
Implementation Method 3
The flow area through the device and in particular through the outlet body is between 0,5 to 4 times more preferred 1 and 2 times the flow area of the inlet in the connection means
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~5
Figure 6
AI summary
Device (1) for dispensing a liquid under pressure where said device comprises connection means (9) for connecting said device to the source of liquid, and where the device in the opposite end of the connection means has an outlet body (4) which outlet body may be brought into a closed position where no liquid is dispensed, and an open position where liquid is dispensed, which outlet body incorporates a separate valve body (12) cooperating with a valve seat (14), where said valve body has a head portion (15) and a stem portion (10), where said stem portion in the closed position extends out of an opening in said outlet body, and where a lower surface of said head portion in the closed position is in contact with said valve seat and in said open position is out of contact with said valve seat.