Touchless Beverage Dispensing System with Passive Valve Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional draft beer dispensing systems require users to touch the tap handle, increasing the risk of pathogen transmission, and can lead to depressurization of the line, resulting in flat beverages due to exposure to ambient air.
Innovation Solution
A touchless beverage dispensing system featuring a first actuated valve controlled by a controller and a second passive valve that opens due to pressure differential, allowing users to pour beverages without touching the system, while minimizing line exposure to ambient air through the use of a magnetically biased valve member and a solenoid actuator.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a traditional tap handle is used for dispensing beverage, then the user can easily operate the dispensing system, but the user must touch the handle which increases the risk of pathogen transmission
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical handle operation with a touchless actuation mechanism. The system uses an actuator (such as a solenoid or motor) that can be controlled remotely or automatically to open the valve, eliminating the need for physical contact with the dispensing mechanism while maintaining ease of operation through alternative control methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism between the user and the beverage stream. This intermediary is the touchless actuation system that translates user input (such as a button press, foot pedal, or automatic sensor detection) into valve operation without requiring the user to touch the tap handle or the beverage dispensing area.
2Productivity
If the line is exposed to ambient air during dispensing, then the beverage can be poured, but the line becomes depressurized resulting in flat beverages
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the valve system into two distinct valves: a first valve that opens to allow beverage flow from the reservoir, and a second valve that opens in response to pressure differential to allow the beverage to reach the tap outlet. This segmentation ensures that the line remains isolated from ambient air while still enabling successful beverage pouring.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs preliminary action by using a biasing member (such as a spring or magnet) that pre-positions the second valve in a closed state, ready to open immediately when the pressure differential occurs. This ensures that when the first valve opens, the second valve quickly follows to maintain pressure while allowing flow.
3Reliability
If a second valve is added to isolate the line from the tap outlet, then the line can be protected from ambient air, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by designing the second valve as a passive component that automatically opens in response to the pressure differential created when the first valve opens. The biasing member provides the closing force, and the beverage pressure itself provides the opening force, eliminating the need for additional actuators or complex control mechanisms for the second valve.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes pneumatic principles by employing a biasing member (spring or magnet) that uses elastic or magnetic force to maintain the second valve in a closed position. When beverage pressure exceeds the biasing force, the valve automatically opens, leveraging fluid pressure dynamics to simplify the control mechanism.
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 contactless beer dispensing, reducing pathogen transmission risks and maintaining beverage pressure and quality by isolating the line from ambient air, ensuring a consistent pour.
Implementation Method 1
one of the valve seat and the valve member includes a magnet and the other of the valve seat and the valve member includes a magnetically-attractable material
Implementation Method 2
the actuator is a solenoid
Data Source
AI summary
A beverage dispensing system, has: a reservoir; a line connected to the reservoir; a tap connected to the line; a first valve connected to the line downstream of the reservoir, the first valve having a first open configuration and a first closed configuration; and a second valve connected to the line, the second valve having a second open configuration and a second closed configuration, the second valve being in the second closed configuration when the first valve is in the first closed configuration, when in the second closed configuration, the second valve blocking fluid communication between the tap outlet and the first valve, the second valve being in the second open configuration when the first valve is in the first open configuration to connect the reservoir to the tap outlet through the first valve and the second valve.