Cartridge receptacle, cartridge system, beverage preparation machine, and method for producing a beverage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beverage preparation machines face challenges in correctly inserting cartridges due to potential damage from incorrect alignment, leakage, and user dissatisfaction with the complexity of the insertion process, especially in low-light environments.
Innovation Solution
The beverage preparation machine is equipped with a light element that illuminates the cartridge holder insertion area, uses reflective markings, and includes a trigger mechanism to ensure correct alignment, along with a mounting flange for secure seating and a piercing mechanism to prevent damage, while also allowing for product identification and monitoring of beverage substance quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the user inserts the cartridge holder into the holding unit without guidance, then the insertion process is simple, but incorrect alignment may occur causing damage or leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a light element that illuminates the cartridge holder and cartridge with different colors to provide visual guidance during insertion. The light element changes color or provides colored illumination to indicate correct orientation and insertion status, helping users align the cartridge properly without complex mechanical guides
Solution Approach 2:
The light element provides real-time visual feedback to the user during the insertion process. By illuminating the cartridge holder and cartridge, the system gives immediate visual confirmation of alignment and insertion status, allowing users to correct misalignment before damage or leakage occurs
2Adaptability or versatility
If the beverage preparation machine is installed in locations with poor visibility, then the machine is more versatile, but correct insertion becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The light element provides active illumination in poor visibility environments, allowing the machine to be installed in locations like nightclubs or bars where ambient light is low. The illuminated cartridge holder and cartridge make correct orientation visible regardless of environmental lighting conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The light element illuminates the cartridge holder and cartridge before insertion occurs, preparing the visual field in advance. This preliminary illumination allows users to see and correct alignment issues before the insertion action takes place, making operation easy even in dark environments
3Loss of information
If the cartridge is made transparent for monitoring, then the fill level is visible, but the cartridge structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The cartridge employs a transparent or translucent wall structure that allows light to pass through, enabling visual monitoring of the beverage substance fill level. This transparent shell design provides information about remaining beverage without requiring additional sensors or indicators, keeping the structure relatively simple
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
This solution facilitates easy and damage-free cartridge insertion, ensures correct orientation, prevents leakage, and allows for real-time monitoring of beverage quality and machine operation, enhancing user satisfaction and safety.
Implementation Method 1
The holding unit has a light element (92) for illuminating the cartridge receptacle (10), the cartridge (2) and the reservoir (6)
Implementation Method 2
The light passing through the beverage and striking these bubbles is refracted and reflected
Implementation Method 3
The light passing through the beverage and striking these bubbles is refracted and reflected
Data Source
Figure 1a~2
Figure 3a~4
Figure 5
AI summary
What is proposed is a beverage preparation machine for producing a beverage, into which a cartridge system having a cartridge and a cartridge receptacle connected to the cartridge can be inserted, wherein the cartridge comprises a reservoir filled with a beverage substance, wherein the cartridge receptacle has a mixing chamber which can be brought into fluid communication with the reservoir, and a fluid supply line opening into the mixing chamber, wherein the cartridge receptacle comprises a compressed-air connection for blowing compressed air into the reservoir with the aid of a compressed-air line, wherein the beverage preparation machine also has a holding unit, into which the cartridge receptacle connected to the cartridge can be inserted, a fluid source for feeding the fluid into the fluid supply line, and a compressed-air source for blowing compressed air into the compressed-air connection, characterized in that the holding unit has a light element which is designed in such a way that the light element at least partially encloses the cartridge receptacle received in the holding unit.