Hand-Held Beverage Dispenser With Multi-Diluent Valve Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current hand-held beverage dispensers are limited in their ability to easily switch between different diluents for mixing with beverage products, restricting their versatility and compatibility.
Innovation Solution
A valve arrangement with selector and flow control valves integrated within a single valve body, allowing for selective establishment of beverage fluid flow paths and independent control of fluid discharge, enabling the dispenser to work with multiple diluents and products.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single diluent is hard-coded into the dispenser's fluid flow path, then the device structure remains simple, but the adaptability to different beverage products is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The valve body is designed to accommodate multiple diluent sources (first diluent source and second diluent source) with corresponding flow paths, enabling a single dispenser to work with different types of beverages (e.g., coffee with water or milk) without requiring separate dispensers for each diluent type
Solution Approach 2:
The fluid delivery system is segmented into separate controllable paths: a first flow path for the first diluent, a second flow path for the second diluent, and a third flow path for the beverage product. This segmentation allows independent control of each diluent source through dedicated valves, enabling flexible selection and combination of different diluents with the beverage product
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple diluents are integrated into the dispenser with separate flow paths, then adaptability to different beverages is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple diluent flow paths and control valves are merged into a single integrated valve body. The first flow path, second flow path, and third flow path all converge at the common outlet, allowing different diluents to be delivered through the same dispensing mechanism without requiring separate dispensers or complex external piping
3Device complexity
If the selector valve and flow control valve are integrated in a single valve body, then the device structure is simplified, but the ease of operation for independent control may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The valve body is segmented into functionally independent control sections: a first valve for controlling the first diluent flow path, a second valve for controlling the second diluent flow path, and a third valve for controlling the beverage product flow path. Each valve can be operated independently to select and control the flow of different substances, maintaining ease of operation despite integration
Data Source
AI summary
A hand-held beverage dispenser includes a handle body, within which multiple valve units are contained. Two sets of fluid flow paths are provided into the handle body. The sets of fluid flow paths are mutually exclusive one to the other. Each flow path of the first set is in fluid communication with each valve unit, whereas only a predetermined one of the second set of fluid flow paths is in fluid communication with each valve unit. Each valve unit includes a flow control valve and a selector valve. The selector valve determines on an ad hoc basis which of the first set of flow paths will be utilized at any given time, while the flow control valve provides single action simultaneous ON-OFF control of fluid flows through both the selected flow path and the predetermined flow path. A failsafe ensures correct operation of the selector valve of each valve unit.