Mono-block Polymer Keg Connector with Integral Clamping System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional keg connectors are not suitable for smaller polymeric kegs (8 to 25 l capacity) as they are bulky, complex, and expensive, and lack the necessary mechanical, clamping, and sealing properties for quick and easy connection to both dispensing and pressurized gas lines.
Innovation Solution
A reusable keg connector with a mono-block integral body featuring clamping legs and levers for secure attachment, a dispensing tube, and a gas tube that can be easily connected and disconnected from the keg, made of polymer materials for cost-effectiveness and ease of use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional metal keg connectors are used, then connection reliability is maintained, but device complexity and cost increase significantly for small polymeric kegs
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is divided into distinct functional segments: clamping legs for mechanical attachment, levers for operation, dispensing tube for fluid flow, and gas tube for pressurized gas delivery. Each segment performs a specific function, allowing simplification while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector is designed to universally accommodate various keg sizes (8-25l polymeric kegs) through adjustable clamping legs and levers, eliminating the need for different connectors for different keg types and reducing overall device complexity.
2Stability of the object's composition
If conventional metal keg connectors are used, then connection stability is achieved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to bulky and complex structure
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping legs are designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing them to adapt to different keg sizes and shapes. The levers provide dynamic operation, enabling easy attachment and detachment through simple pressing motions, improving ease of operation while maintaining connection stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector uses flexible polymer materials that can deform to accommodate slight variations in keg dimensions, providing both stability and ease of operation without requiring complex adjustment mechanisms.
3Ease of manufacture
If simplified connectors without gas connection are used, then ease of manufacture improves, but reliability deteriorates due to lack of pressurized gas connection
Solution Approach 1:
The gas tube and dispensing tube are merged into a single integrated connector body, allowing both gas and fluid connections to be made simultaneously through one component. This merging maintains manufacturing simplicity while ensuring reliable operation by combining all necessary connection functions in a single element.
4Ease of manufacture
If reusable connectors are used, then cost decreases, but ease of operation worsens due to requiring secure attachment and detachment mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The connector employs self-clamping legs that automatically secure to the keg closure without requiring additional fastening operations. The levers are designed to be easily pressed to release the clamping legs, enabling rapid attachment and detachment. This self-service mechanism maintains reusability and cost-effectiveness while preserving ease of operation.
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 keg connector provides a rapid, easy, and cost-effective solution for connecting and disconnecting kegs of various sizes to both dispensing and pressurized gas lines, ensuring safety and efficiency in beer dispensing systems.
Implementation Method 1
pressing the distal free ends of the two levers towards one another reversibly and resiliently drives the two free ends of the clamping legs away from one another
Data Source
AI summary
A keg connector for coupling a dispensing line and gas line to a keg is disclosed having a closure with a sealed dispensing opening and gas opening. The connector has a mono-block body with a top plate structure having a perimeter, upper surface, lower surface, and clamping system. The clamping system has two clamping legs jutting from the lower surface of the top plate, and two levers jutting out of the upper surface of the top plate, each lever has a coupled end fixed to the opposite portions of the perimeter of the top plate as the hinge ends of the two legs. The connecter has a dispensing tube with an upstream portion jutting out of the lower surface of the top plate, and a gas tube with a downstream portion jutting out of the lower surface of the top plate parallel to the upstream portion of the dispensing tube.