Automatic beverage preparation machine
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current automatic beverage preparation machines lack flexibility in operating modes and fail to efficiently manage brewing group failures or imbalances, leading to reduced capacity and quality when one brewing group malfunctions or runs out of coffee.
Innovation Solution
An automatic beverage preparation machine with a double brewing group system, featuring a user-selectable electronic control unit that allows for various production modes, including parallel, diversified, mixing, and long beverage production, and includes backup functionality and load balancing to distribute production evenly between brewing groups, ensuring continuous operation and extended lifespan.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a single brewing group is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the productivity and operating flexibility are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the brewing function into separate brewing groups (first brewing group for espresso, second brewing group for other beverages) that can operate independently or in coordination, allowing parallel production of different beverage types while maintaining manageable complexity through modular design
Solution Approach 2:
The second brewing group is designed with multi-functionality to produce various beverages (freshly brewed coffee, tea, cocoa, etc.) using the same basic brewing mechanism, enabling a single device to handle diverse beverage preparation needs without requiring separate specialized equipment for each type
2Adaptability or versatility
If two brewing groups produce different beverage types, then the adaptability is improved, but the reliability decreases when one group fails
Solution Approach 1:
The electronic control unit dynamically assigns beverage production tasks to available brewing groups based on real-time operational status, allowing the system to adapt its configuration and maintain service continuity by redirecting requests from failed groups to functional groups
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements backup functionality where the electronic control unit monitors brewing group status and pre-plans alternative production assignments, ensuring that when one brewing group fails, the other can immediately compensate to maintain service without interruption
3Ease of operation
If brewing groups operate independently, then the ease of operation is improved, but the loss of time increases due to unbalanced wear and failures
Solution Approach 1:
The electronic control unit continuously monitors the operational status and wear levels of each brewing group, using this feedback information to dynamically balance the distribution of beverage production requests, thereby equalizing wear patterns and optimizing maintenance intervals
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically manages brewing group load distribution and failure compensation without requiring manual intervention, with the electronic control unit self-adjusting task allocation based on real-time brewing group performance and availability
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
Enhances operating flexibility, reduces production time, maintains service even with brewing group failures, and extends the lifespan of brewing groups by allowing seamless switching and balanced wear, thereby doubling capacity and reducing downtime.
Implementation Method 1
a heating unit configured to heat water to a predetermined temperature
Implementation Method 2
a pumping unit fluidically connecting the water tank to the brewing unit and configured to supply the heating unit with water to be heated and to supply the brewing group with the heated water under pressure
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
An electronic control unit (6) for a beverage vending machine (1) comprising at least two brewing groups (3) configured to carry out one and the same infusion process to produce one and the same beverage, e.g., coffee, from respective brewable substances either of the same type or of different types. The electronic control unit (6) is configured to control operation of the brewing groups (3) to cause the following beverage production modes to be selectively performable, each mode in response to a corresponding single user- selection: a first beverage production mode, in which the two brewing groups (3) are controlled to simultaneously produce the same quantity of said beverage from respective brewable substances of the same type; a second beverage production mode, in which the two brewing groups (3) are controlled to simultaneously produce the same quantity of said beverage from respective brewable substances of different types; a third beverage production mode, in which the two brewing groups (3) are controlled to simultaneously produce different quantities of said beverage from respective brewable substances either of the same type or of different types; and a fourth beverage production mode, in which the brewing groups (3) are controlled to simultaneously produce the same quantity of said beverage from respective brewable substances of the same type, but in a greater quantity than that produced in the first beverage production mode.