Beverage Machine Container Connection Detection Using Flow Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beverage machines require complex and expensive components like sensors and light barriers to detect faulty fluid connections between containers and the machine, complicating their design and manufacturing.
Innovation Solution
A beverage machine design that uses a pump and flow measuring device to determine the presence of a container by monitoring liquid flow, eliminating the need for additional sensors by recognizing a faulty connection through a reduced liquid flow during suction operation, and generating an error message if the flow is below a specified value.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If sensors, light barriers, or microswitches are provided to detect faulty fluid connections, then the detection reliability is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the detection function from separate components (sensors, light barriers, microswitches) and integrates it into the existing pump and flow measuring device. The control unit uses the flow measuring device to detect whether liquid is being conveyed from the container, thereby identifying faulty fluid connections without requiring additional detection components.
Solution Approach 2:
The pump and flow measuring device perform multiple functions: they convey liquid from the container and simultaneously detect faulty fluid connections. The control unit monitors the flow measuring device's output to determine whether the container is properly connected, making the existing components multi-functional and eliminating the need for separate detection components.
2Reliability
If sensors, light barriers, or microswitches are provided to detect faulty fluid connections, then the detection reliability is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the detection function from separate components (sensors, light barriers, microswitches) and integrates it into the existing pump and flow measuring device. The control unit uses the flow measuring device to detect whether liquid is being conveyed from the container, thereby identifying faulty fluid connections without requiring additional detection components.
Solution Approach 2:
The pump and flow measuring device perform multiple functions: they convey liquid from the container and simultaneously detect faulty fluid connections. The control unit monitors the flow measuring device's output to determine whether the container is properly connected, making the existing components multi-functional and eliminating the need for separate detection components.
3Reliability
If the pump operates in both pump operation and suction operation, then the detection capability is improved, but the operation time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pump operates periodically in pump operation to convey liquid from the container, followed by suction operation to draw liquid back. This periodic operation allows the flow measuring device to detect whether liquid was successfully conveyed during pump operation, enabling faulty connection detection without continuous operation. The detection is achieved through alternating operational phases rather than continuous running.
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
Simplifies the machine's design and manufacturing while reliably identifying correct and incorrect fluid connections, reducing costs and ensuring accurate detection of container presence.
Implementation Method 1
a flow measuring device, which determines a current between the connection and the conveyor facility in the operation
Implementation Method 2
a conveyor facility, in particular a pump, which promotes liquid from the connection in a pump operation in the direction of the connection and in a suction operation liquid from the container
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
The present invention relates to a beverage machine (1) with a conveying device (12) for conveying liquid through a channel system (2) and with a connection (3) for the interchangeable attachment of a container (4) to the beverage machine (1) and for fluidically connecting the container (4) to the channel system (2). A simplified and cost-effective detection of a faulty fluidic connection between the container (4) and the connection (3) is achieved by conveying liquid with the conveying device (12) towards the connection (3) and subsequently out of the connection (3), and by using the flow of the liquid as it is conveyed out of the connection (3) to detect a faulty fluidic connection between the connection (3) and the container (4). The invention further relates to a method for detecting such a faulty connection.