Integrated Water-Line Housing for Compact Beverage Pumps
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beverage pumps are large and have bulky external connection features for water supply, making them inefficient and space-consuming.
Innovation Solution
A pump system with an integrated water port and conduit that directly connects to a mixing chamber, eliminating the need for external connections and reducing bulkiness by using a motor-attached housing with a locking mechanism to secure the water conduit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If external connection features are used to connect water conduit to mixing chamber, then water supply function is achieved, but device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The water port is integrated directly into the housing structure, merging the water supply connection function with the housing itself. This eliminates the need for separate external connection features, reducing device complexity while maintaining reliable water supply connection through the integrated design
2Volume of moving object
If separate pump and external connection features are used, then water supply function is achieved, but pump size and space consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The housing serves multiple functions: it houses the motor, provides structural support, and integrates the water port directly into its structure. This multi-functionality reduces the overall pump size and space consumption while maintaining reliable water supply function through the integrated water port design
Data Source
AI summary
A beverage system includes a pump that draws a set amount of a flavored concentrate into a mixing chamber (28) for mixing with water to form a beverage. A pump head (46) includes a piston opening that receives a piston (48) and a water port that defines a water flow path. A housing (62) includes an integral water port (40). Water from a water source flows along a water line and into the integral water port (40) of the housing (62). The water flows through the water port (40) of the pump head (46) and into the mixing chamber (28) to form the beverage.