Removable Liquid Manifold for Bottom-Loading Dispenser Sanitization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing Bottom-Loading water dispensers are difficult to sanitize due to increased water contact components and are costly to produce, while Top-Loading dispensers face challenges with heavy water bottle installation and sanitization complexity.
Innovation Solution
A Bottom-Loading liquid dispenser design that employs a single pump to dispense liquid, featuring a removable, substantially rigid liquid manifold with minimal flexible hosing, allowing for easy sanitization and replacement of components such as the pump head, valve assembly, and reservoir.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a Bottom-Loading water dispenser design is used, then the water bottle installation becomes easier, but the number of water contact components increases making sanitization more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid transport assembly is divided into separable components including the liquid manifold, pump head, and flexible hose that can be removed as a unit or individually for sanitization. This segmentation allows each component to be cleaned separately while maintaining the overall system functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The liquid manifold is designed as a removable component that can be extracted from the dispenser housing, allowing direct access to all water contact surfaces for thorough sanitization. The pump head and flexible hose can also be removed from the liquid manifold for separate cleaning.
2Ease of operation
If a Bottom-Loading water dispenser with multiple components is used, then the water bottle installation becomes easier, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid manifold integrates multiple functions including liquid transport, pump mounting, and valve assembly into a single component, reducing the total number of parts that need to be manufactured and assembled. This consolidation lowers manufacturing complexity and cost while maintaining all necessary water contact surfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The liquid manifold serves multiple purposes: it acts as a liquid conduit, a mounting structure for the pump head, and a support for the non-return valve assembly. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed, thereby reducing manufacturing costs.
3Ease of operation
If a removable liquid transport assembly with minimal flexible hosing is used, then the sanitization process becomes easier, but the liquid transport complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible hose provides dynamic adaptability in the liquid transport path, allowing the assembly to be easily connected and disconnected during sanitization while maintaining sealed liquid transport when in use. This flexibility simplifies the removal and reinstallation process without requiring complex rigid piping.
4Reliability
If non-return valves are included in the liquid path, then the liquid flow control improves, but the pressure drop increases
Solution Approach 1:
The non-return valve is strategically positioned in the liquid manifold where it can effectively control liquid flow direction without creating excessive pressure drop that would affect pump performance. The valve design and placement optimize the balance between flow control and pressure maintenance.
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 design enables efficient and cost-effective sanitization of the dispenser, reduces manufacturing costs, and simplifies the installation of the water bottle, while maintaining effective liquid dispensing and minimizing pressure drop across non-return valves.
Implementation Method 1
pumps are typically employed to pump the drinking water to the dispensing location located above the water bottle
Implementation Method 2
minimizing pressure drop across non-return valves
Data Source
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AI summary
A liquid dispenser includes a main housing having a dispensing location at which liquid from a liquid storage container is dispensed and a storage location for storing a liquid storage container. An additional reservoir is disposed in the main housing and is configured to receive a liquid from the liquid storage container prior to the liquid being dispensed. The liquid dispenser includes a removable liquid transport assembly that is configured to be readily installed in and removed from a liquid dispenser to permit the liquid dispenser to be readily sanitized. The liquid transport assembly comprises a liquid manifold, a valve assembly and a pump head. The valve assembly includes a non-return valve and a pressure relief valve that act in concert to control the flow of liquid between the liquid storage container and the reservoir and is configured such that liquid can flow in a first direction through the removable liquid transport assembly to permit a liquid to be dispensed from a liquid dispenser and liquid can flow in a second direction back to a liquid storage container to prevent damage to one or more components of the liquid dispenser.