Modular Water Dispenser with Adjustable Back Pressure Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing water dispensing apparatuses face challenges with accessibility and maintenance of components, improper mixing of carbon dioxide and water, frequent replacement of small carbon dioxide tanks, and issues with hot water expansion chambers leading to stagnant water and turbulence.

Innovation Solution

A modular water dispensing apparatus with easily accessible heating and carbonation units, an adjustable back pressure mechanism for controlling carbon dioxide and water mixing, a bracket for easy connection and disconnection of carbon dioxide tanks, and a separable expansion chamber for effective draining and prevention of air contamination in the hot water stream.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If components are integrated into a single water dispensing apparatus, then the device can provide multiple functions (heating, cooling, carbonation), but the components become difficult to access for maintenance and replacement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemultiple functionsVSAvoidaccessibility for maintenance

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The water dispensing apparatus is divided into separate modular components including a heating unit, cooling unit, and carbonation unit that can be independently accessed and maintained. Each unit has its own access points and can be serviced without disassembling the entire system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If carbon dioxide pressure and water pressure are increased to ensure proper mixing, then mixing quality improves, but the complexity of pressure control increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemixing qualityVSAvoidpressure control complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A back pressure regulator serves as an intermediary device that automatically maintains the pressure balance between carbon dioxide and water streams. This single component eliminates the need for complex multi-valve pressure control systems while ensuring consistent mixing quality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Volume of moving object

If a small pressurized carbon dioxide tank is used, then the tank size is reduced, but frequent replacement is required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetank sizeVSAvoidreplacement frequency

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the carbon dioxide flow rate through a variable flow regulator that compensates for the limited tank capacity. This allows smaller tanks to be used effectively by optimizing the gas delivery rate to match actual demand patterns.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Stability of the object's composition

If the expansion chamber is permanently affixed to the hot water tank, then structural stability is improved, but maintenance and replacement become difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidmaintenance accessibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The expansion chamber is designed as a nested component that fits within the hot water tank assembly but can be independently removed through a dedicated access point. This nested design maintains structural integrity during operation while enabling easy maintenance by allowing the chamber to be extracted without removing the entire tank.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

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 modular design enhances maintenance and replacement of components, ensures proper mixing of carbon dioxide and water, simplifies the connection of carbon dioxide tanks, and provides continuous, smooth hot water dispensing without turbulence or stagnation.

Implementation Method 1

back pressure should be applied to the fluid stream just prior to being dispensed

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBack pressure: Pressure Increase

Implementation Method 2

carbonation unit comprising a holding tank for dissolving carbon dioxide in water

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCarbon dioxide dissolution: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 3

The holes are typically arranged in size and location to aid in pulling the water out of the expansion chamber and into the dispensing stream to the faucet due to the Venturi effect

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVenturi effect: Venturi Effect

Implementation Method 4

Thermal expansion within hot water tank, such as in typical hot water dispensing systems, often leads to the use of an expansion chamber or overflow tank

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal expansion: Thermal Expansion

Data Source

PatentUS10399839B2Water dispensing faucet apparatus, systems and methods of using

Publication Date: 2019.09.03 NATURAL CHOICE CORP

AI summary

Water dispensing apparatus comprises modular components including but not limited to an easily accessible water heating module, and a water carbonation module including an easily accessible carbonation tank bracket for holding a carbonation tank. The water dispensing apparatus further comprises a water dispensing faucet comprising an easily adjustable back pressure implement for adjusting the back pressure and, therefore, controlling mixing of carbon dioxide and water and the flow rate thereof for sparkling water dispensed therefrom.