Solenoid Dispensing Valve Bypass for Carbonated Foam Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electromechanical valves in dispensing systems for carbonated beverages face challenges in adjusting flow resistance and pressure accurately, leading to inconsistent beverage quality and waste.
Innovation Solution
A valve arrangement comprising an electromechanical switching valve connected in series with a control valve, featuring a movable armature and a bypass channel that allows for adjustable pressure drop and foam regulation, enabling precise control over fluid flow and foam formation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a single electromechanical valve is used for flow regulation, then the device complexity is low, but the manufacturing precision of flow resistance and pressure control is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The single valve is segmented into two functional parts: a switching valve for on/off control and a control valve for precise flow resistance and pressure regulation. This segmentation allows each valve to specialize in its function, improving overall control precision while keeping individual valve designs simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The control valve acts as an intermediary between the switching valve and the beverage dispensing system. It mediates the flow by providing adjustable flow resistance, enabling precise pressure control without requiring the switching valve to perform both switching and regulation functions.
2Loss of substance
If flow resistance is not properly adjusted, then the device complexity remains low, but the loss of substance increases due to beverage waste
Solution Approach 1:
The control valve enables continuous adjustment of flow resistance parameters, allowing optimization of beverage flow rate and pressure. This parameter control prevents both excessive flow (waste) and insufficient flow (poor dispensing quality), reducing beverage waste while maintaining simple operation through a single adjustment mechanism.
3Productivity
If pressure control is imprecise, then the device complexity is low, but the productivity decreases due to reduced beverage output per unit time
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure control function is segmented from the switching function and assigned to a dedicated control valve. This allows the control valve to be optimized for pressure regulation with adjustable flow resistance, improving beverage output consistency and speed without requiring a completely complex system architecture.
4Reliability
If a simple valve design is used, then the ease of manufacture is high, but the reliability decreases due to inability to maintain consistent beverage quality
Solution Approach 1:
The valve system is segmented into two standard, commercially available valve types (switching valve and control valve), each manufactured using conventional processes. This segmentation maintains ease of manufacture for individual components while achieving reliable, consistent beverage quality through the combined functionality of the two-valve system.
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 solution provides a cost-effective, reliable, and easily adjustable valve system that ensures consistent beverage quality by allowing for precise control over pressure and foam formation, reducing waste and enhancing beverage output.
Implementation Method 1
A first electromechanical actuator (250) is operatively connected to the first movable armature (240). The first electromechanical actuator (250) can therefore move the first movable armature (240) between the first open position and the first closed position.
Implementation Method 2
The valve arrangement (100) has at least one bypass channel (230). The bypass channel (230) connects, parallel to the first valve seat opening (214), a first section (210a) of the first flow path and a further section (210b) of the flow path.
Implementation Method 3
enabling precise control over fluid flow and foam formation
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
The invention relates to an electromechanical switching valve (200) for a valve arrangement (100) comprising a first valve housing with a first valve sleeve (210), a first fixed armature (220), a first inlet port (223), and a first outlet port (213), wherein the first valve sleeve (210) defines a first valve axis (L). A first flow path connects the first inlet port (223) with the first outlet port (213). A first valve seat (212) surrounds a first valve seat opening (214) and divides the first flow path into a first section (210a) and a further section (210b). A first movable armature (240) is slidably mounted along the first valve axis (L) in the first valve housing between a first closed position and a first open position.The first movable armature (240) closes the first valve seat opening (212) in the first closed position and opens the first flow path through the first valve seat opening (212) in the first open position. A first electromechanical actuator (250), acting on the first movable armature (240), moves the first movable armature (240) between the first open position and the first closed position. The switching valve has at least one bypass channel (230) which connects the first section and the further section parallel to the first valve seat opening (214).