Automated beverage system

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Solution Overview

Problem

Automated beverage generating systems face challenges in meeting specific customer parameters, producing high-quality beverages, and maintaining component cleanliness, which hinders their efficiency and effectiveness.

Innovation Solution

An automated beverage generating system incorporating a dispensing mechanism with electromechanical actuators and a controller that moves the mechanism to precise positions, along with an electronic processor managing ingredient dispensing and timing, ensures accurate beverage production and automated cleaning processes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If automated beverage generating systems are used to reduce personnel requirements, then labor costs are reduced, but the ability to meet specific customer parameters and produce high-quality beverages deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepersonnel requirementsVSAvoidbeverage quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables self-service operation where the automated beverage generating system independently receives customer input, determines the beverage recipe, controls ingredient dispensing with precise timing, and completes the beverage production process without human intervention, thereby maintaining high beverage quality while minimizing personnel requirements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The controller receives input from the user interface indicating customer parameters, processes this feedback information to determine the appropriate beverage recipe and dispensing timing, and adjusts the operation of dispensing mechanisms accordingly to meet specific customer requirements while maintaining consistent quality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Productivity

If automated beverage generating systems are used to increase productivity, then output per time is improved, but the difficulty of cleaning components and maintaining them deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoutput per timeVSAvoidcomponent cleaning

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The system incorporates automated cleaning functionality where the controller automatically controls the operation of cleaning components to clean dispensing mechanisms and other components periodically or after each beverage production, enabling the system to maintain itself without requiring manual cleaning intervention and thus improving productivity while addressing maintenance difficulties

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The automated cleaning operation ensures continuous maintenance of the system by periodically or post-production cleaning dispensing components, preventing accumulation of residue and maintaining hygiene standards without interrupting the overall productivity of the beverage generation process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Manufacturing precision

If complex electromechanical actuators are added to achieve precise dispensing positions, then beverage customization accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedispensing position accuracyVSAvoidsystem structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces complex mechanical positioning systems with electromechanical actuators that are controlled electronically by a controller receiving input from a user interface. This electronic control mechanism achieves precise dispensing positions for ingredient containers while reducing overall mechanical complexity compared to purely mechanical positioning systems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The electromechanical actuators serve multiple functions: positioning ingredient containers, controlling dispensing timing, and enabling various beverage customization options. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate specialized mechanisms, thereby achieving precise dispensing accuracy while managing device complexity through consolidated components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS11272806B1Automated beverage system

Publication Date: 2022.03.15 COSTA EXPRESS LTD

AI summary

An automated beverage generating system is provided. The system comprises a dispensing mechanism from an ingredient for producing a specified beverage is dispensed, one or more electromechanical actuators operatively coupled to the dispensing mechanism and configured to effect movement of the dispensing mechanism in one or more directions, and a controller electrically connected to the one or more electromechanical actuators and configured to control the operation thereof. In response to receiving a request to produce a specified beverage, the controller is configured to control the operation of at least one of the one or more electromechanical actuators to cause the dispensing mechanism to move in at least one of the one or more directions.