Beverage preparation machine and method for dispensing a liquid
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Solution Overview
Problem
Beverage preparation machines often result in external dripping and contamination risks due to uncollected residues, especially with heated liquids, and lack effective mechanisms for safe and clean operation during dispensing and cleaning processes.
Innovation Solution
A beverage preparation machine with a collection unit that can be fluidly connected to the dispensing unit to form a closed or bypass liquid path, allowing for the collection of dispensed liquids and preventing external dripping, combined with a flow restriction element and UV lamp for sanitization, and a control unit for managing the liquid path and flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a traditional dispensing system is used without a collection unit, then the device structure is simple, but liquid residues drip externally causing contamination and safety issues
Solution Approach 1:
The dispensing system is segmented into distinct functional units: a dispensing unit for liquid delivery and a separate collection unit for residue management. This segmentation allows the collection unit to be selectively connected to capture liquid residues without requiring the entire dispensing system to be complex, thereby reducing contamination risk while maintaining manageable device structure.
Solution Approach 2:
A collection unit acts as an intermediary component between the dispensing unit and the external environment. This intermediary captures liquid residues that would otherwise drip externally, preventing contamination while allowing the main dispensing structure to remain relatively simple. The collection unit serves as a buffer that manages harmful liquid residues without requiring complete system redesign.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If heated liquid is dispensed without a collection mechanism, then the dispensing process is straightforward, but steam and hot residues cause scalding hazards
Solution Approach 1:
The collection unit serves as an intermediary that specifically addresses thermal hazards by capturing hot liquid residues and steam generated during heated liquid dispensing. This intermediary structure prevents direct contact between users and hot residues, reducing scalding risk while maintaining a relatively simple dispensing system architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The harmful thermal residues (hot liquid and steam) are extracted from the main dispensing flow and directed into the collection unit. This extraction separates the hazardous thermal byproducts from the useful dispensing function, allowing the main dispensing system to remain simple while the collection unit handles the scalding hazard independently.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If cleaning liquid is dispensed without a closed liquid path, then the cleaning process is simple, but cleaning liquid contacts users or contaminates drinking vessels
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid delivery system is segmented into separate pathways: a primary pathway for beverage dispensing and a secondary pathway for cleaning liquid delivery. The collection unit is selectively connectable to capture cleaning residues. This segmentation allows cleaning operations to be performed without contaminating users or drinking vessels, while maintaining simple control logic through selective connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The liquid path configuration is made dynamic through selective connection of the collection unit. During normal beverage dispensing, the collection unit remains disconnected allowing straightforward dispensing. During cleaning operations, the collection unit is selectively connected to form a closed liquid path, preventing cleaning liquid contamination. This dynamic reconfiguration addresses contamination risks without requiring permanently complex piping.
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
The solution ensures a clean and safe dispensing process by preventing user contamination, minimizing cross-contamination, and facilitating efficient cleaning and sanitization, while also allowing for the reuse of collected liquids in a closed circulation loop.
Implementation Method 1
UV lamp for sanitization
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a beverage preparation machine (1), comprising a delivery unit (2) for delivering a liquid through the beverage preparation machine (1), a dispensing unit (3) for dispensing the liquid delivered by the delivery unit (2), and a collection unit (8) being fluidly connectable to the dispensing unit (3) to selectively form a liquid path (P) to collect the liquid dispensed by the dispensing unit (3). The invention further relates to a method for dispensing a liquid, comprising (a) delivering a liquid through a delivery unit (2) of a beverage preparation machine (1), preferably the beverage preparation machine (1) of any one of the preceding claims, (b) dispensing the liquid delivered by the delivery unit (2) via a dispensing unit (3) of the beverage preparation machine (1), and (c) selectively fluidly connecting a collection unit (8) of the beverage preparation machine (1) with the dispensing unit (3) to form a liquid path (P) for collecting at least part of the liquid dispensed by the dispensing unit (3).