Beverage machine
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional filter coffee machines lack an easy and user-friendly method to adjust the strength and taste of coffee, as they do not provide equal water distribution to the coffee grounds, leading to inconsistent brewing results.
Innovation Solution
A beverage machine with a dispensing spout featuring a liquid distributor that allows liquid to flow through multiple outlets, adjustable by an actuator, ensuring equal distribution and allowing users to easily adjust the strength and taste of the brewed beverage by switching between different outlet settings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If water is distributed through a single central opening, then coffee strength is increased, but water distribution equality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The water distribution system is segmented into multiple openings (central opening and surrounding openings) that can be selectively activated. The liquid distributor divides the water flow into separate streams that can be directed through different openings independently, allowing equal distribution of water to coffee grounds while maintaining adjustable coffee strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The liquid distributor is made movable and rotatable, allowing dynamic adjustment of which openings receive water flow. By rotating the distributor, users can selectively connect the water inlet to different openings, dynamically changing the brewing parameters to achieve desired coffee strength while maintaining proper water distribution.
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple flow-through openings are provided, then water distribution equality is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid distributor serves multiple functions: it distributes water to multiple openings, acts as a flow divider, and provides rotational adjustment capability. This single multi-functional component achieves equal water distribution without requiring separate complex mechanisms for each function, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If liquid distributor position is made adjustable, then coffee strength adjustability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid distributor is designed to be rotatable rather than requiring complex mechanical adjustment mechanisms. Users can easily change the position by simple rotation to select different outlet configurations, making the adjustment process intuitive and easy to operate while providing versatile coffee strength control.
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 4
AI summary
The present invention relates to a beverage machine that comprises: - a brewing chamber (20); and - a dispensing spout (18) for dispensing liquid into the brewing chamber (20); wherein the dispensing spout (18) comprises: i) a liquid inlet (32); ii) a main body (34) having a central axis (52) and at least a first liquid outlet (42) and a second liquid outlet (44), wherein the second liquid outlet (44) has a larger distance from the central axis (52) than the first liquid outlet (42); iii) a liquid distributor (40) for fluidly connecting the liquid inlet (32) selectively to the first liquid outlet (42) or to the second liquid outlet (44), and iv) an actuator (90) for changing a position of the liquid distributor (40) relative to the main body (34) between at least a first and a second position, wherein in the first position the liquid inlet (32) is fluidly connected to the first liquid outlet (42), and wherein in the second position the liquid inlet (32) is fluidly connected to the second liquid outlet (44).