Fluid Line Connector for Hand-Held Beverage Dispensers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hand-held beverage dispensers face challenges in efficiently connecting and securing multiple fluid lines due to limited space and the tedious process of making connections, which becomes even more complicated when replacing or maintaining the dispensers, especially in service installations where fluid line assemblies are not readily available.
Innovation Solution
A connector assembly with a specially formed header plate and clamshell housing assembly that allows for simultaneous 'plug-in' connection and securement of barbed quick connect fittings to fluid inlets on the dispenser, utilizing tapered connector holes and a cylindrical fluid line retainer to clamp the fluid lines in place, facilitating easy attachment and detachment of fluid line assemblies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple fluid lines are connected individually to hand-held beverage dispensers, then each fluid line can be securely connected, but the connection process becomes tedious and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple individual fluid line connections into a single integrated connector assembly. The connector assembly includes multiple barbed quick connect fittings mounted on a common header plate, allowing multiple fluid lines to be connected simultaneously in one operation rather than individually, thus reducing installation time while maintaining secure connections.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector assembly is pre-assembled with multiple barbed quick connect fittings mounted on the header plate before installation. This preliminary assembly of the connector components allows for rapid deployment during installation, eliminating the need to assemble multiple individual connectors on-site and reducing overall installation time.
2Ease of operation
If fluid line assemblies are made portable for hand-held dispensers, then portability is improved, but the process of replacing or maintaining dispensers becomes more complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into separable modules: the hand-held beverage dispenser, the fluid line assembly with connector at one end, and the stationary dispenser at the other end. The connector assembly acts as an interface that can be quickly detached and reattached, allowing the portable fluid line assembly to be easily replaced or maintained without complex procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector assembly incorporates quick connect and quick disconnect functionality, allowing the fluid line assembly to be dynamically attached and detached from both the hand-held dispenser and the stationary dispenser. This dynamic connection system simplifies replacement and maintenance operations compared to permanent or fixed connections.
3Productivity
If connector assemblies are designed to secure multiple fluid lines simultaneously, then connection efficiency is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connector assembly serves multiple functions: it provides structural support through the header plate, secures multiple fluid lines through barbed quick connect fittings, and enables quick connection and disconnection operations. By integrating these multiple functions into a single assembly, the design achieves high connection efficiency without proportionally increasing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector assembly nests multiple barbed quick connect fittings onto a common header plate, creating a compact integrated structure. This nesting arrangement allows multiple connection points to be provided in a space-efficient manner, reducing overall complexity compared to having separate connector assemblies for each fluid line.
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid line connector arrangement includes a first connector assembly of the fluid line connector arrangement, as particularly configured to efficiently connect and secure fluid line fittings to a hand-held beverage dispenser, and a second connector assembly of the fluid line connector arrangement, as particularly configured to efficiently connect and secure a fluid line fittings to a beverage fluid source.