Rotary Keg Coupler Actuation Reducing Force and Complexity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional dispensing heads for beverage kegs require high force to actuate and have complex locking mechanisms, making them difficult to use and expensive to produce.
Innovation Solution
A dispensing head with a rotary mechanism featuring a helical gear and hand wheel, which reduces the actuation force required and eliminates the need for additional locking devices, while being made from cost-effective plastic materials for reduced production costs and improved ergonomics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a conventional lever mechanism is used to actuate the plunger, then the device can open the valve disc, but high force is required and complex locking mechanisms are needed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the conventional lever mechanism with a rotary actuating mechanism featuring a hand wheel and helical gear. This substitution transforms the linear actuation motion into rotational motion, providing mechanical advantage through the gear system. The helical gear inherently provides self-locking capability, eliminating the need for additional locking mechanisms while reducing the force required to actuate the plunger.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the actuation parameter from linear lever movement to rotational hand wheel movement. The helical gear converts the rotational motion into linear motion of the plunger, providing a mechanical advantage that reduces the actuation force. The self-locking property of the helical gear maintains the plunger position without requiring complex locking mechanisms.
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional materials are used for the dispensing head, then production costs are higher, but using cost-effective materials may compromise durability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite construction by combining plastic material for the housing and metal components (such as the helical gear, hand wheel, and plunger) for wear-resistant and load-bearing parts. This composite approach allows the use of cost-effective plastic for the main body while maintaining durability through metal components in critical areas, achieving both cost reduction and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses cost-effective plastic materials for the housing and non-critical components, accepting that these parts may have limited service life compared to metal components. This approach reduces production costs significantly while the critical wear and load-bearing parts are made from durable materials, creating a balanced solution between cost and reliability.
3Ease of operation
If the hand wheel diameter is increased for better ergonomics, then actuation becomes easier, but the compact design of the dispensing head is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the hand wheel in a vertical arrangement above the outlet, utilizing the vertical dimension rather than expanding the horizontal footprint. This dimensional arrangement allows for a sufficiently large hand wheel diameter for ergonomic operation while maintaining a compact overall design that fits within the dispensing head housing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes the hand wheel diameter to provide sufficient leverage for easy actuation while considering the dynamic space requirements during rotation. The helical gear mechanism allows for a compact configuration where the hand wheel can be of adequate size for ergonomics without excessively increasing the overall volume of the dispensing head.
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 dispensing head is easier to use, requires less force to operate, and is more cost-effective to produce, with a compact design that ensures reliable sealing and easy cleaning, and includes features for self-locking and automatic closure in case of impact.
Implementation Method 1
The actuating mechanism is designed as a rotary mechanism which has a helical gear and a hand wheel which is connected to the plunger and the helical gear
Implementation Method 2
a spring-loaded valve disc, with a housing, a connecting element for fastening the housing to the valve head of the beverage keg
Implementation Method 3
The helical gear of the tap head according to the invention requires no additional device for locking the tappet in its lower position, which opens the spring-loaded valve disc. The helical gear of the tap head according to the invention can preferably have a self-locking thread, for example a trapezoidal thread.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
The invention relates to a keg coupler (1) for a beverage keg which has a valve head with a spring-loaded valve disc, having a housing (8), a connecting element for fastening the housing to the valve head of the beverage keg, a propellant gas inlet (12), formed on the housing, for the connection of a propellant gas line, a plunger (11) mounted movably in the housing (8), said plunger (11) containing a riser duct (11.5) and opening the spring-loaded valve disc by being pushed into the valve head, a liquid outlet (8.4) for connecting to a beverage line, and an actuating mechanism for actuating the plunger (11). In order that such a keg coupler is easy to operate and is producible in a cost-effective manner, the invention provides for the actuating mechanism thereof to be configured as a rotary mechanism which has a screw drive and a hand wheel (14) connected to the plunger (11) and the screw drive.