Beverage Machine Coupling Device for Automated External Water Supply
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Solution Overview
Problem
Beverage preparation machines often require frequent refilling of water tanks and lack efficient mechanisms for connecting to external liquid delivery systems, such as city water distribution networks, which can lead to inconvenience and inefficiency in operation.
Innovation Solution
A connecting device that integrates with beverage machines to establish a fluidic connection with external liquid delivery systems, featuring a valve arrangement and control unit for managing liquid supply, including sensors for level detection and automatic refilling, ensuring continuous operation without manual intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If beverage machines are connected to external liquid delivery systems, then automatic liquid supply is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting device automatically detects liquid levels using sensors and activates the valve arrangement to refill the tank without user intervention. The control unit monitors the liquid level and autonomously manages the refilling process, enabling the system to serve itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The connecting device integrates multiple functions including liquid level sensing, automated valve control, and connection to external delivery systems into a single unit. This multi-functional approach automates liquid supply while consolidating components to manage complexity.
2Loss of time
If manual refilling is used, then device complexity is low, but loss of time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system eliminates manual refilling by implementing automatic level detection and refilling. Sensors continuously monitor the liquid level and trigger the valve arrangement to refill the tank automatically, saving user time while managing complexity through integrated automation.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit receives feedback from level sensors and automatically activates the valve arrangement when liquid levels are low. This closed-loop feedback system eliminates manual intervention and reduces refilling time while maintaining manageable device complexity through intelligent control.
3Productivity
If continuous liquid supply is implemented, then productivity increases, but reliability decreases due to potential overflow
Solution Approach 1:
Level sensors provide continuous feedback to the control unit, which monitors liquid levels and automatically deactivates the valve arrangement when the tank reaches appropriate levels. This feedback mechanism ensures continuous operation while preventing overflow, maintaining both productivity and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system takes preliminary action by continuously monitoring liquid levels and preemptively stopping the inflow before overflow can occur. The control unit anticipates potential overflow conditions and activates protective measures in advance, ensuring reliable operation during continuous productivity.
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 connecting device enables seamless integration with existing and new beverage machines, providing an efficient and automated liquid supply system that prevents overflow and ensures continuous operation by sensing liquid levels and adjusting the valve configuration accordingly.
Implementation Method 1
a valve arrangement (12a, 12b) switchable between an open configuration for establishing a fluidic connection between the inlet and the outlet and a closed configuration for interrupting the fluidic connection
Implementation Method 2
including sensors for level detection and automatic refilling
Implementation Method 3
The circulation system includes a valve, metallic heating tube and pump that are connected together and to the reservoir
Implementation Method 4
a valve, metallic heating tube and pump that are connected together and to the reservoir
Data Source
AI summary
A connecting device is arranged for connecting a beverage machine (2) with an external liquid delivery system (3) to supply such liquid to the machine (2). The connecting device (1) has: a device body (16); an inlet (10) for a fluid connection to the external system (3); an outlet (13) for delivering liquid from the external system (3) via the inlet (10) to the machine (2); a valve arrangement (12a, 12b) switchable between an open configuration for establishing a fluidic connection between the inlet (10) and the outlet (13) and a closed configuration for interrupting the fluidic connection; and a control unit (14) for switching the valve arrangement (12a, 12b) between its open configuration and its closed configuration. The device body (16) has an assembly arrangement (16c; 16b, 16d, 16e, 16f) for reversibly or irreversibly assembling the device body (16) to the machine (2).