Adjustable Water Pump Mineralization Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beverage makers with mineralization cartridges struggle to adjust the mineralization level of drinking water to suit individual preferences without requiring the replacement of mineralization cartridges or additional water dilution.
Innovation Solution
A beverage maker with an adjustable water pump that allows for variable pressure and throughput volume, enabling the degree of mineralization to be adjusted by influencing the flow through a mineralization cartridge with a specific flow channel geometry, allowing for the selection of weakly to strongly mineralized water without changing cartridges or adding extra water.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed mineralization cartridge is used, then the mineralization level is stable and reliable, but the adaptability to different user preferences is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the mineralization level adjustable through variable pump flow rates. The water pump can operate at different speeds to deliver different volumes of water through the mineralization cartridge per unit time, thereby dynamically changing the mineralization concentration without requiring cartridge replacement. This resolves the contradiction by enabling adaptability while maintaining a single cartridge configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the system by adjusting the pump's flow rate parameter. By varying the water flow rate through the mineralization cartridge, the mineralization level can be changed from weak to strong without altering the physical cartridge structure. This parameter-based adjustment resolves the contradiction between adaptability and device complexity.
2Quantity of substance
If highly mineralized water is dispensed, then the mineral content is sufficient for replenishment, but the ease of operation for different taste preferences is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses dynamic flow rate control to adjust mineralization levels. The pump can be programmed to deliver high flow rates for strongly mineralized water (when high mineral content is needed) or low flow rates for weakly mineralized water (when milder taste is preferred). This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between providing sufficient mineral content and accommodating different taste preferences.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit receives user input regarding desired mineralization levels and adjusts the pump operation accordingly. This feedback mechanism allows users to easily select their preferred taste intensity, and the system responds by adjusting the water flow rate through the mineralization cartridge, thereby resolving the contradiction between mineral content delivery and ease of operation.
3Productivity
If the water pump operates at high flow rate, then the productivity is high, but the mineralization concentration is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic operation modes where the pump flow rate can be varied based on user requirements. For quickly dispensing large volumes of weakly mineralized water, high flow rates are used. For slowly dispensing smaller volumes of strongly mineralized water, low flow rates are used. This dynamic adaptability resolves the contradiction between productivity and mineralization concentration by allowing the system to optimize for either parameter depending on the situation.
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 user-friendly adjustment of mineralization levels from weakly to strongly mineralized water based on preference, using a single mineralization cartridge and beverage maker, without the need for cartridge replacement or additional water, by varying the water flow and pressure to control the mineralization process.
Implementation Method 1
the pressure and/or the flow rate of the water flow delivered by the water pump is adjustable
Implementation Method 2
The dosing characteristics of the mineralization cartridge are adapted to the flow rate such that the flow rate has a high influence on the dosing ratio
Implementation Method 3
a mineralization cartridge (9) with a flow channel geometry, in particular a metering device (20), for dividing a water flow to be enriched with minerals into a main flow path and a metering flow path
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a beverage maker, in particular a water dispenser, comprising a housing with a connection head or a connection element for connecting a mineralization cartridge and a water pump for generating a water flow. This is characterized in that the water pump is designed such that the pressure and/or the flow rate of the water flow delivered by the water pump is adjustable.