Metering device for temperature-controlled beverages
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dosing devices fail to precisely control the temperature of dispensed beverages, especially in cold environments, and cannot quickly and repeatedly dispense hot beverages with consistent temperature due to the continuous-flow heater principle and lack of thermal regulation.
Innovation Solution
A dosing device with two heatable and coolable dosing chambers connected via a valve mechanism, allowing for precise temperature control and rapid, successive dispensing of metered liquids by preheating the liquid in the first chamber and compensating for temperature differences in the second chamber.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a continuous-flow heater principle is used to heat the liquid, then the liquid can be heated during flow, but the final temperature cannot be regulated precisely and sufficient hot liquid cannot be quickly supplied for multiple servings
Solution Approach 1:
The dosing device is divided into multiple dosing chambers (first dosing chamber, second dosing chamber, etc.) arranged in sequence. Each chamber can be independently filled and heated, allowing one chamber to be dispensed from while another is being heated, thus enabling rapid successive dispensing with precise temperature control for each serving.
2Device complexity
If the liquid is heated only in the area of the removal opening, then the heating structure is simple, but the heating is insufficient especially at low ambient temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid is preheated in the dosing chambers before dispensing. The heating elements are positioned to heat the liquid within each chamber, ensuring the liquid reaches the desired temperature before it is dispensed. This preliminary heating action ensures sufficient temperature even in cold environments.
3Temperature
If a flow-through cooler is used, then cooling during flow is achieved, but a constant temperature cannot be guaranteed in case of rapid successive removal
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple dosing chambers allow parallel processing where one chamber is being cooled while another is being dispensed from. This segmentation enables continuous operation at high speed while maintaining constant temperature control for each serving.
4Device complexity
If the heating output is not adjusted despite changing initial temperature, then the heating system is simple, but the warm-up period varies and precise temperature regulation is not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
Temperature sensors are positioned in each dosing chamber to detect the actual temperature of the liquid. The heating elements are controlled based on this feedback, adjusting the heating output to maintain the desired final temperature regardless of variations in initial temperature or ambient conditions.
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 the consistent and rapid dispensing of temperature-controlled liquids, ensuring that beverages are served at the desired temperature even in cold conditions, such as in ski areas, by preheating the liquid in the first chamber and maintaining the desired temperature in the second chamber.
Implementation Method 1
at least two different, heatable and/or coolable dosing chambers
Implementation Method 2
at least two different, heatable and/or coolable dosing chambers
Implementation Method 3
the inlet and outlet openings of the two chambers are opened or closed by a common, vertically displaceable plunger
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4
AI summary
Metering device (1) for the metered removal of free-flowing beverages and sauces from at least one storage container (26), consisting of at least one chamber (8, 9), which has an inlet (15) for receiving the liquid from the storage container (26) and an outlet (19) for discharging the metered liquid into a vessel (21), wherein the metering device (1) has at least one temperature-control device (22, 23, 27), which heats or cools the metered liquid, wherein the metering device (1) has two chambers (8, 9), which are arranged one above the other and are connected to one another for liquid-channelling action by a connecting channel (12), and wherein a vertically displaceable push rod (5) extends along a longitudinal axis of the housing (2), through the outlet (19), the second chamber (9), the connecting channel (12), the first chamber (8) and the inlet (15), and, depending on the vertical position, the push rod (5) closes the outlet (19) and/or the connecting channel (12) with liquid-sealing action and actuates the closure (7).