Beverage preparation machine with simple ergonomic opening-closure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beverage preparation machines face challenges in maintaining optimal temperature control for brewing, which affects the quality of extracted beverages like coffee and tea, and also struggle with ergonomic and economic design, particularly in capsule removal and mixing processes.
Innovation Solution
A beverage preparation machine with a movable processing unit and a dampening device that allows for smooth transition between positions, using a centrifugal mixing mechanism with a flange-equipped capsule, and incorporating a thermal conditioner to maintain optimal temperature, along with a semi-automatic or automatic actuator for efficient ingredient handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If additional heating elements are used to compensate for temperature loss, then temperature control is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the heating function from a separate component and integrates it directly into the brewing chamber wall. This allows temperature compensation without adding external heating elements, maintaining simple device architecture while achieving precise temperature control for optimal beverage extraction.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating function is merged with the brewing chamber structure itself. The chamber wall serves dual purposes: containing the brewing process and providing thermal compensation. This integration eliminates the need for separate heating components, resolving the contradiction between temperature control and device complexity.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a movable processing unit with dampening device is used, then vibration and shock are reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The dampening device is integrated into the movable processing unit to provide beforehand cushioning against vibrations and shocks during capsule handling. This preventive approach protects the brewing chamber and surrounding components from mechanical stress while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure through careful design of the dampening mechanism.
3Productivity
If centrifugal mixing mechanism is used, then mixing efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The centrifugal mixing mechanism uses periodic rotational action to achieve efficient mixing of beverage ingredients. The rotating brewing chamber creates centrifugal forces that enhance liquid circulation and extraction efficiency without requiring complex multi-component mixing systems, thus improving productivity while controlling device complexity.
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 machine ensures precise temperature control for optimal extraction, reduces vibrations and shocks during capsule handling, and enhances the reliability and ergonomics of the brewing process, improving the quality and consistency of beverages while being economically viable.
Implementation Method 1
The machine may include a thermal conditioner configured to thermally condition the liquid to be supplied into the seat
Implementation Method 2
rotating the capsule at sufficient speed to ensure interaction of the liquid with the ingredient while creating a gradient of pressure of liquid in the capsule. Such pressure increases gradually from the center towards the periphery of the capsule
Implementation Method 3
A beverage preparation machine with a movable processing unit and a dampening device that allows for smooth transition between positions
Data Source
AI summary
A machine (1) for preparing a beverage (3) •a beverage processing unit (10,20) having a first and a second parts (10, 20) that are movable one relative to the other from a distant to a proximate relative position to form an ingredient mixing seat (11); and •a dampening device being: •operative to dampen the relative movement of the first and second parts (10, 20) moving one relative to the other when the first and second parts (10, 20) are at a relative position that is close to at least one of the distant and proximate relative positions; and •inoperative to dampen the relative movement of the first and second parts (10, 20) moving one relative to the other when the first and second parts (10, 20) are at a relative position that is remote from the first and second relative positions.