Eductor suitable for use in an assembly for preparing a liquid product, an assembly for preparing a liquid product and a system for preparing a liquid product
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for preparing liquid products, particularly perishable food items like milk, face contamination risks due to leakage paths in eductors, which compromise the quality and safety of the prepared products over time.
Innovation Solution
The eductor design incorporates two annular protrusions spaced to match the injector valve's positional distance, forming a sealed annular chamber that isolates the liquid from the environment, preventing contamination by using materials that withstand thermal loads and provide mechanical stability, such as thermoplastic elastomers and polypropylene, and optionally filling the chamber with inert gases like nitrogen or helium.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single annular protrusion is used in the injector valve, then the device complexity is reduced, but contamination risk increases due to potential leakage paths during valve displacement
Solution Approach 1:
The single annular protrusion is segmented into two separate annular protrusions on the injector valve. The first annular protrusion engages with the first seal element, and the second annular protrusion engages with the second seal element. This segmentation creates multiple sealed zones that prevent contamination during valve displacement while maintaining manageable device complexity through systematic distribution of sealing functions.
2Strength
If the injector valve is made fully rigid for mechanical stability, then structural strength is improved, but thermal stress resistance deteriorates under thermal loads
Solution Approach 1:
The injector valve is constructed as a composite structure combining a rigid outer shell providing mechanical stability with an inner core made of thermally resistant material. This composite construction allows the valve to maintain structural integrity under mechanical loads while simultaneously resisting thermal stress, thus resolving the contradiction between mechanical strength and thermal stress resistance.
3Reliability
If the annular chamber is left empty for simplicity, then device complexity is reduced, but contamination risk increases from environmental exposure
Solution Approach 1:
The annular chamber between the two annular protrusions is filled with an inert gas such as nitrogen or carbon dioxide. This inert atmosphere prevents oxidation and contamination of the liquid product during valve displacement, maintaining sterility without requiring complex sealing mechanisms. The inert gas environment passively protects against contamination while adding minimal complexity to the overall device.
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 design significantly reduces contamination risks, ensuring high-quality liquid products are prepared over a prolonged period without leakage, maintaining sterility and preventing contact between the liquid and external environments during valve displacement.
Implementation Method 1
The protrusions are arranged for isolating the annular chamber from fluid communication with any environment outside the annular protrusions when said injector valve is positioned in the first position or the second position or any position in between
Data Source
AI summary
An eductor suitable for use in an assembly for preparing a liquid product comprises a housing having a substantially cylindrical wall. The eductor comprises an injector valve which is displaceably arranged within the cylindrical wall from first position to a second position longitudinally spaced from the first position, and vice versa. On its outer surface the injector valve comprises two annular protrusions which are spaced from each other, each of the annular protrusions engaging the inner surface of the cylindrical wall for forming a seal therewith, said annular protrusions together with the inner surface of the cylindrical wall forming an annular chamber, said protrusions being arranged for isolating the annular chamber from fluid communication with any environment outside the annular protrusions when said injector valve is positioned in the first position or the second position or any position in between.