Multi-Syrup Beverage Supply with Intermittent Valve Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional beverage supply apparatuses are limited in beverage flavor options and lack the ability to balance flavors when mixing two types of syrups, with existing technologies not providing clear methods for syrup mixing.
Innovation Solution
A beverage supply apparatus that allows selection of a main syrup and a topping syrup, mixing them in predetermined ratios with water or carbonated water to produce a flavor-added beverage, using solenoid valves and pumps to control syrup and water flow, and adding the topping syrup intermittently to maintain flavor balance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single type of syrup is used to produce beverages, then the beverage production process is simple, but the number of beverage flavor options is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The syrup supply system is segmented into multiple independent syrup tanks (first syrup tank, second syrup tank, etc.), each storing a different type of syrup. This segmentation allows the system to offer multiple beverage flavor options while maintaining independent control over each syrup type, resolving the contradiction between versatility and complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The solenoid valves are controlled to open and close intermittently at specific timings during the beverage production process. This periodic action enables precise control over when each syrup is discharged, allowing complex flavor combinations to be achieved through simple on/off control sequences rather than continuous complex mixing mechanisms.
2Adaptability or versatility
If two types of syrups are mixed to increase flavor options, then more beverage flavors can be provided, but it is difficult to balance the flavors between the two syrups
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-configures multiple syrup tanks with different syrup types and pre-positions solenoid valves for each syrup discharge path. This preliminary setup allows the control unit to precisely manage the mixing process by controlling valve timing sequences, ensuring proper flavor balance without requiring complex real-time adjustment mechanisms during beverage production.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit manages the intermittent opening and closing of solenoid valves based on predetermined timing sequences for each syrup type. This controlled feedback mechanism ensures that syrups are mixed in appropriate proportions and timings, achieving balanced flavor profiles through automated control rather than manual adjustment.
3Extent of automation
If syrups are discharged and diluted with water using gas pressure and solenoid valves, then beverage production is automated, but the ability to mix multiple syrup types with controlled flavor balance is lacking
Solution Approach 1:
The beverage supply apparatus is designed with multiple syrup tanks and corresponding solenoid valves that can handle different syrup types universally. The control unit coordinates the operation of multiple valves and syrup discharge paths, enabling the same automated system to produce various beverage types by simply changing the control sequence, thus achieving both automation and versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically controls the opening and closing timing of multiple solenoid valves during the beverage production process. This dynamic control allows the automated system to adaptively mix different syrup types in varying proportions and sequences, providing flavor balance control while maintaining full automation without requiring manual intervention.
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
Significantly increases flavor options by enabling balanced mixing of two syrups, ensuring consistent flavor profiles by controlling syrup addition, and maintaining sugar content within a desired range.
Implementation Method 1
Gas pressure may be applied to a syrup stored in a syrup tank and a solenoid valve positioned in a syrup supply channel may be intermittently opened and closed such that syrup is discharged
Implementation Method 2
a solenoid valve positioned in a syrup supply channel may be intermittently opened and closed such that syrup is discharged and diluted with water
Data Source
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AI summary
A beverage supply apparatus may include a touch panel for receiving an operation to select a main syrup from among different types of syrups stored in a number of syrup tank that is diluted with water or carbonated water to form a main beverage and for receiving an operation to select a topping syrup that is added to the main beverage as a flavor. The beverage supply apparatus also may include a nozzle in which the main beverage is produced by mixing water or carbonated water with the main syrup in a predetermined ratio and then the undiluted topping syrup is mixed with the main beverage to produce a beverage.