Liquid pumping device comprising a gear pump for beverage dispenser
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beverage dispensers face issues with the assembly and reliability of fluid circuit components, such as hoses and collars, which can be defective, leak, and affect flow metering accuracy, and are not compact enough for integration in small appliances.
Innovation Solution
A compact liquid pumping device with an integrated flow metering system, where a gear pump and flow meter are housed together with a non-deformable conduit between them, reducing wear and leakage risks, and a Hall sensor measures the impeller's rotation to provide accurate flow measurement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If hoses and collars are used to assemble fluid circuit components, then the device can be assembled with flexible connections, but the assembly becomes unreliable with risks of defects, wear, leakage, and reduced compactness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the gear pump and flowmeter into a single integrated assembly where the flowmeter is directly mounted on the pump housing. This eliminates the need for separate hoses and collars to connect these components, thereby improving reliability by removing leak-prone joints while maintaining a manageable device complexity through functional integration.
2Measurement precision
If hoses are used to connect pump and flowmeter, then the components can be assembled separately, but the hose length affects flow metering accuracy and the assembly is not compact
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating the flowmeter directly onto the pump housing, the patent eliminates the intermediate hose connection. This ensures that the flow measurement is taken as close as possible to the pump outlet, improving flow metering accuracy by removing variables such as hose length, bends, and deformations. The compact integration also reduces the overall device volume while maintaining functionality.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If separate components are assembled via hoses, then the device can be disassembled for maintenance, but the assemblies wear and leak more rapidly
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated design merges the flowmeter and pump into a single assembly that eliminates multiple connection points. By removing hoses and collars from the fluid path, the patent eliminates the primary sources of wear and leakage, thereby extending the operational lifespan of the stationary components while maintaining high assembly reliability. The integrated structure reduces the number of potential failure points.
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 solution enhances the reliability and compactness of the device, reducing the risk of defects and improving flow metering accuracy, allowing for precise control of liquid flow in beverage dispensers.
Implementation Method 1
a Hall sensor measures the impeller's rotation
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid pumping device (1) for beverage dispenser comprising: -a housing (2) with a liquid inlet (3) and a liquid outlet (4); -a gear pump (5) positioned in the housing with the liquid inlet communicating with the gear pump; wherein a flowmeter (6) is fluidly positioned in the housing (2) preferably between the gear pump (5) and the liquid outlet (4).