Mineralization Cartridge with Variable Flow Geometry
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mineralization cartridges for enriching drinking water with minerals lack flexibility in adjusting the degree of mineralization to suit individual taste preferences, requiring either dilution or replacement of cartridges to achieve desired mineral levels.
Innovation Solution
A mineralization cartridge with a flow channel geometry that divides the water flow into main and dosing paths, where the volume flow through each path has different dependencies on pressure difference, allowing for adjustable mineralization by varying the volume flow and pressure, enabling the degree of mineralization to be set from weakly to strongly mineralized without replacing the cartridge or adding water.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a fixed concentration mineralization cartridge is used, then the mineralization level is stable and reliable, but the adaptability to different user taste preferences deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The dosing device incorporates a variable geometry flow channel that dynamically adjusts the dosing ratio based on volume flow rate. As flow rate increases, the dosing path geometry causes the dosing ratio to increase non-linearly, enabling the same cartridge to adapt to different mineralization preferences without replacement.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the geometric parameters of the flow channel in the dosing device to create different dependencies between pressure difference and volume flow for the main path versus the dosing path. This parameter change enables volume flow-dependent mineralization adjustment, resolving the contradiction between fixed reliability and adaptive versatility.
2Adaptability or versatility
If additional water is added to dilute highly mineralized water, then the mineralization level is adjusted to preference, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The dosing device automatically adjusts the mineralization level based on the volume flow rate passing through it. The system self-regulates the dosing ratio without requiring user intervention for dilution or concentration adjustments, eliminating the need for additional操作步骤 and reducing operational complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the mineralization cartridge is replaced to change concentration, then the mineralization level is adjusted to preference, but the loss of time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The dosing device is designed with universal geometry that handles multiple dosing ratios within a single cartridge. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for multiple specialized cartridges, allowing users to adjust mineralization levels by simply changing flow rate rather than replacing cartridges, thereby saving time.
4Quantity of substance
If the dosing ratio is increased for highly mineralized water, then the mineral intake is improved, but the taste becomes too strong for some users
Solution Approach 1:
The variable geometry flow channel creates a dynamic dosing ratio that responds to volume flow rate changes. Users can achieve acceptable taste by adjusting flow rate, which dynamically adjusts the dosing ratio, allowing the same cartridge to serve both users preferring low mineralization and those preferring high mineralization without compromising taste acceptability.
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
Enables user-friendly adjustment of mineralization levels in drinking water from weakly to strongly mineralized based on preference, without the need for cartridge replacement or additional water, ensuring personalized mineral intake without compromising taste.
Implementation Method 1
the volume flow flowing through the main flow path can have a flow characteristic according to the Bernoulli equation with respect to the pressure difference dP occurring during operation of the mineralization cartridge
Implementation Method 2
the volume flow flowing through the dosing flow path can have a laminar flow characteristic
Implementation Method 3
Structurally, the main flow path can comprise a pinhole and the dosing flow path a capillary
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a mineralization cartridge with a connection element for connection to a connection head of a beverage maker, wherein the mineralization cartridge further comprises a water inlet, a water outlet, and a flow channel geometry, in particular a metering device, for dividing a water flow to be enriched with minerals into a main flow path and a metering flow path. This mineralization cartridge is characterized in that the main flow path and the metering flow path exhibit different dependencies on the volume flow through them and/or the prevailing pressure therein with respect to a pressure difference dP occurring via the metering device during operation of the mineralization cartridge.