Membrane Shutter Control Valve to Reduce Dripping in Beverage Machines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beverage preparation machines experience stagnation of pressurized water and subsequent dripping and steam puffs when the pump is deactivated, due to the design of the hot water supplying circuit.
Innovation Solution
A mechanically actuated control valve with a membrane shutter and selection member is introduced, allowing for rapid closure of the water flow path after pump deactivation, minimizing residual dripping and preventing pressure drops.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a control valve with a sliding sealing ring is used to close the water flow path, then the valve can be mechanically actuated and simple in structure, but the sealing ring sliding causes slow return of the selection member and residual dripping
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the sealing function from a sliding sealing ring and relocates it to a stationary sealing ring. The selection member is reduced to only the function of axial movement to open or close the flow path, while the sealing action occurs at a fixed position through the stationary sealing ring, eliminating the harmful sliding motion.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of having the sealing ring slide along the selection member (mobile sealing), the patent inverts the arrangement by making the sealing ring stationary and having the selection member slide against it. This inversion transfers the sealing function to a fixed element, preventing the sealing surface from causing delayed return.
2Device complexity
If the selection member returns slowly due to sealing ring sliding, then the structure remains simple, but steam puffs occur when opening the supplying area
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful sliding action between sealing surfaces is extracted from the system. The stationary sealing ring performs the sealing function without sliding, eliminating the source of delayed return and subsequent steam puffs while keeping the overall valve structure simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potential harm of a simple mechanical structure into a benefit by redesigning the sealing arrangement. The stationary sealing ring provides reliable sealing without the drawbacks of sliding, transforming a potentially problematic simple structure into an effective solution that prevents steam puffs.
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 effectively reduces dripping time and prevents steam puffs by ensuring rapid closure of the water flow path, enhancing the efficiency and cleanliness of coffee preparation in beverage machines.
Implementation Method 1
a membrane shutter (60) housed in the intersection chamber (57)... having a central portion (62) facing on the one side the selection member (50) and the seat (58) and on the opposite side the end (53) of the channel (51)
Implementation Method 2
The selection member 20 cooperates with the inner delimiting surface of the seat 18 through a sealing ring 22, which slides on the aforesaid surface during the axial movements of the selection member 20
Implementation Method 3
The selection member 20 cooperates with the inner delimiting surface of the seat 18 through a sealing ring 22, which slides on the aforesaid surface during the axial movements of the selection member 20. Such sliding is the main cause of the slow return
Implementation Method 4
The selection member 20 is loaded by a spring 21 towards the operating closing configuration
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
The invention relates to a liquid supplying circuit (30) for a machine for preparing beverages; the circuit (30) comprises a pump (34) for supplying the pressurized liquid to a delivery line (35), a beverage supplying area (33) connected to the delivery line (35) and a control valve (36) for controlling the flow of liquid between the delivery line (35) and the supplying area (33); the valve (36) having a first channel (51) connected to the delivery line (35); a second channel (54) connected to the supplying area (33) and to the first channel (51) through an intersection chamber (57); and a seat (58) opening into the intersection chamber (57) and engaged by a selection member (50) moving between a closing configuration and an opening configuration; the valve (36) further comprising a membrane shutter (60) housed in the intersection chamber (57) and having a first fixed portion (61) and a second flexible portion (62) away from and towards the relative end (53) of one of said first and second channels (51, 54) under the combined action of the selection member (50) and of the pressurized liquid supplied by the pump (34).