Elastic Sleeve Beverage Valve for Drip-Free Refrigerator Dispensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beverage dispensing valves in household refrigeration appliances suffer from issues such as dripping, uneven dispensation, and lack of versatility, leading to waste and soiling of the appliance and surrounding area, as well as limited compatibility with different door dimensions.
Innovation Solution
A beverage dispensing valve with a sleeve made of elastic material that adjusts its volume to prevent dripping and ensure homogeneous dispensation, featuring a main body with slits for uniform flow and a spacer member for universal compatibility with various door thicknesses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional beverage dispensing valve is used, then the valve structure is simple, but beverage dripping occurs and causes waste and soiling
Solution Approach 1:
The valve incorporates an elastic intermediate portion that dynamically changes volume to create a depression effect, actively preventing beverage dripping through mechanical deformation rather than static sealing structures
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic intermediate portion changes its volume parameter in response to pressure variations, creating a depression that prevents beverage from dripping downstream when the valve closes
2Manufacturing precision
If a conventional valve design is used, then manufacturing is simple, but beverage dispensation is uneven and causes spilling
Solution Approach 1:
The valve body is segmented into multiple functional portions (first portion, intermediate portion, second portion) with distinct functions, allowing precise control of beverage flow through the slits in the second portion
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the valve have different properties: the intermediate portion is elastic while the second portion contains slits for uniform flow distribution, creating local quality variations that ensure homogeneous dispensation
3Adaptability or versatility
If a valve designed for specific dimensions is used, then the valve fits that specific application, but it lacks versatility for different door dimensions
Solution Approach 1:
The valve is designed as a universal component that can be adapted to different door dimensions and refrigerator configurations through adjustable mounting options, serving multiple applications with a single design
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic intermediate portion allows the valve to dynamically adapt to different installation configurations and door thicknesses, providing versatility without requiring multiple specialized valve designs
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 valve effectively prevents dripping, ensures proper and homogeneous dispensation of beverages, and can be adapted to fit different door dimensions, reducing waste and enhancing user convenience while maintaining efficiency and economy.
Implementation Method 1
a sleeve (40) having: a first end (41), which is adapted to be coupled to said main body (20); a second end (42), which is adapted to be coupled to said lower body (30); an intermediate part (43) made of an elastic material, which is adapted to move from a substantially stretched state, occurring when the lower body (30) is in said first operating condition, to a contracted state, occurring when the lower body (30) is in said second operating condition, the intermediate part (43) of the sleeve (40) allowing a depression to be formed in said stretched state to prevent dripping downstream of the sealing member (23)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3a~3b
AI summary
The present invention relates to a beverage dispensing valve (10), in particular for a household refrigeration appliance (1), said valve (10) having a main body (20) comprising: - a first portion (21) for the entrance of the beverage into said valve (10); - an intermediate portion (201) for said beverage to flow through the valve (10), said intermediate portion (201) comprising at least one opening (20A) that allows the beverage to flow out of said intermediate portion (201); - a second portion (22) extending substantially parallel to an axis (A) of the valve (10), a sealing member (23) being associated with said second portion (22) in the proximity of a terminal part (22A) thereof, said valve (10) having a lower body (30) associated with the main body (20) in encircling relation to said second portion (22) and said at least one opening (20A) of the intermediate portion (20I), said lower body (30) being adapted to slide axially over said intermediate portion (201) and second portion (22) to move: - from a first operating condition, in which an inner surface (31) of the lower body (30) cooperates with said sealing member (23) to prevent the beverage from coming out of said valve (10), - to a second operating condition, in which at least one gap (L) is formed between said inner surface (31) and said sealing member (23) to allow the flow of the beverage, and vice versa. The invention is characterized in that said valve (10) comprises a sleeve (40) having: - a first end (41), which is adapted to be coupled to said main body (20); - a second end (42), which is adapted to be coupled to said lower body (30); - an intermediate part (43) made of an elastic material, which is adapted to move from a substantially stretched state, occurring when the lower body (30) is in said first operating condition, to a contracted state, occurring when the lower body (30) is in said second operating condition, the intermediate part (43) of the sleeve (40) allowing a depression to be formed in said stretched state to prevent dripping downstream of the sealing member (23).