초록 ▼

An instant drink vending machine is described. The instant drink vending machine has a water supply system for obtaining mixed warm water with a temperature selected among a set of pre-determined temperatures comprised between an upper and a lower value corresponding to temperatures of hot water and

An instant drink vending machine is described. The instant drink vending machine has a water supply system for obtaining mixed warm water with a temperature selected among a set of pre-determined temperatures comprised between an upper and a lower value corresponding to temperatures of hot water and cold water to be mixed, said system including thermostatic shape memory alloy devices.

대표청구항 ▼

1. An instant drink vending machine comprising: a water supply system comprising a connection to a water main supplying water at a first temperature lower than 100° C., the water supply system including a heater supplying hot water at a second temperature higher than said first temperature and compr

1. An instant drink vending machine comprising: a water supply system comprising a connection to a water main supplying water at a first temperature lower than 100° C., the water supply system including a heater supplying hot water at a second temperature higher than said first temperature and comprised between 100° C. and 120° C., said heater further having at least two heater outlets controlled by valves, the heater being supplied with water at the first temperature from the water main, andat least one thermostatic shape memory alloy device having a first water inlet connected to one of the valves controlling one of said at least two heater outlets, a second water inlet connected to the water supply system, and an outlet supplying water at a first selected temperature comprised in a range between the first temperature and the second temperature and less than 100° C., said at least one thermostatic shape memory alloy device comprising a shape memory alloy spring made of a Ni—Ti based alloy containing at least 70% wt of Nickel and Titanium,a first vending outlet connected to one of the at least two heater outlets, the first vending outlet providing water at the second temperature for preparation of a first instant drink, anda second vending outlet connected to the at least one thermostatic shape memory alloy device supplying water at the first selected temperature for preparation of a second instant drink by mixing water at the first temperature with water at the second temperature. 2. The instant drink vending machine according to claim 1, wherein said valves are placed on the at least two heater outlets. 3. The instant drink vending machine according to claim 1, wherein said at least one thermostatic shape memory alloy device comprises a first thermostatic shape memory alloy device and a second thermostatic shape memory alloy device, and wherein the heater has three heater outlets, and wherein the second vending outlet is connected to the first thermostatic shape memory allow device. 4. The instant drink vending machine according to claim 3, wherein each of the first thermostatic shape memory alloy device and the second thermostatic shape memory alloy device has a first dedicated duct for receiving water at the second temperature from the heater and a second dedicated duct for receiving water at the first temperature from the water main. 5. The instant drink vending machine according to claim 3, wherein the first thermostatic shape memory alloy device and the second thermostatic shape memory alloy device share at least one of: i) a common duct for receiving water at the second temperature from the heater and ii) a common duct for receiving water at the first temperature from the water main. 6. The instant drink vending machine according to claim 3, further comprising: a third vending outlet connected to the second thermostatic shape memory alloy device providing water at a second selected temperature lower than the first selected temperature for preparation of a third instant drink. 7. The instant drink vending machine according to claim 6, wherein: the first thermostatic shape memory alloy device comprises a first shape memory alloy spring made of a Ni—Ti based alloy containing at least 90 wt % of nickel and titanium with a composition of the Ni—Ti based alloy, and the first thermostatic shape memory alloy device comprises a first biasing spring providing a first load for the first shape memory alloy spring chosen so as to provide the first selected temperature lower than the second temperature at its outlet, andthe second thermostatic shape memory alloy device comprises a second shape memory alloy spring made of a Ni—Ti based alloy containing at least 90 wt % of nickel and titanium with a composition of the Ni—Ti based alloy, and the second thermostatic shape memory alloy device comprises a second biasing spring providing a second load for the second shape memory alloy spring chosen so as to provide the second selected temperature lower than the first selected temperature at its outlet. 8. The instant drink vending machine according to claim 3, wherein: the first thermostatic shape memory alloy device comprises a first shape memory alloy spring made of a Ni—Ti based alloy containing at least 90 wt % of nickel and titanium with a composition of the Ni—Ti based alloy, and the first thermostatic shape memory alloy device comprises a first biasing spring providing a first load for the first shape memory alloy spring chosen so as to provide the first selected temperature lower than the second temperature at its outlet, andthe second thermostatic shape memory alloy device comprises a second shape memory alloy spring made of a Ni—Ti based alloy containing at least 90 wt % of nickel and titanium with a composition of the Ni—Ti based alloy, and the second thermostatic shape memory alloy device comprises a second biasing spring providing a second load for the second shape memory alloy spring chosen so as to provide a second selected temperature lower than the first selected temperature at its outlet. 9. The instant drink vending machine according to claim 1, wherein said Ni—Ti based alloy contains at least 99% of nickel and titanium. 10. The instant drink vending machine according to claim 1, wherein said Ni—Ti based alloy contains also copper. 11. The instant drink vending machine according to claim 1, wherein the at least one thermostatic shape memory alloy device further comprises a biasing element and a movable element with an aperture, said movable element being arranged between said biasing element and the shape memory alloy spring, wherein in a first equilibrium position said aperture of the movable element is in communication with a duct supplying water at the first temperature via the second water inlet and in a second equilibrium position the movable element isolates the thermostatic shape memory alloy spring from said duct. 12. The instant drink vending machine according to claim 11, wherein both the first and second water inlets are located in correspondence with the biasing element. 13. The instant drink vending machine according to claim 11, wherein the first water inlet is located in correspondence of the shape memory alloy spring and the second water inlet is located in correspondence with the biasing element. 14. The instant drink vending machine according to claim 1, wherein the at least one thermostatic shape memory alloy device further comprises load-adjustment means coupled with the shape memory alloy spring so as to provide an additional and selectable bias that remains constant during an operation of the at least one thermostatic shape memory alloy device.