Beverage Machine Extraction Control Using Water Pump Current Sensing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beverage machines lack effective means to monitor and regulate pipeline pressure and flow rate, leading to instability in beverage quality and increased costs due to the use of built-in pressure sensors and flow meters.
Innovation Solution
A method and beverage machine that utilize the operating current value of a water pump to determine and adjust pipeline pressure and flow rate through a calculation rule, eliminating the need for built-in sensors and meters, thereby achieving precise control of the extraction process at a lower cost.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If built-in pressure sensor and flow meter are used to detect pipeline pressure and flow rate, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical sensing systems (pressure sensors and flow meters) with an electrical measurement approach. By measuring the operating current of the water pump and using established hydraulic relationships, the system calculates pipeline pressure and flow rate without physical sensors in the fluid path. This substitution eliminates complex mechanical components while maintaining measurement capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces operating current as an intermediary parameter to indirectly measure pipeline pressure and flow rate. Instead of directly sensing pressure and flow, the system measures electrical current and uses predetermined relationships to derive the desired parameters. This intermediary approach simplifies the measurement system while providing the necessary extraction condition data.
2Reliability
If built-in pressure sensor and flow meter are installed, then extraction condition monitoring is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive, complex sensing components with a low-cost electrical measurement approach. The operating current measurement uses standard electrical sensors already present in the pump system, eliminating the need for costly pressure sensors and flow meters. This approach maintains extraction reliability while significantly reducing component costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the water pump's electrical measurement system serve multiple functions: it simultaneously provides motor control information and extraction condition monitoring (pressure and flow rate). By using the existing electrical infrastructure for dual purposes, the system eliminates dedicated sensing components and reduces overall system cost while maintaining monitoring capability.
3Device complexity
If pipeline pressure and flow rate are not regulated, then device complexity is reduced, but manufacturing precision of beverage quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control system where the measured operating current is continuously monitored, compared against target values for specific beverage types, and used to adjust water pump operation. This closed-loop feedback ensures consistent extraction conditions (pressure and flow rate) for each beverage type while using simple control logic that leverages the inherent relationship between pump current and hydraulic parameters.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the extraction conditions dynamic and adaptive by adjusting water pump operation in real-time based on measured current and beverage type requirements. Instead of fixed mechanical settings, the system dynamically controls pressure and flow rate through electrical parameter adjustment, ensuring optimal conditions for each beverage while maintaining simple overall system architecture.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The present application discloses a method of preparing drinking solution and a beverage machine. The method comprises: obtaining an operating current value of a water pump of the beverage machine; determining a current operating parameter value based on the operating current value and a preset calculation rule, wherein the operating parameter value characterizes an extraction condition of the drinking solution, the preset calculation rule includes a predetermined numerical correspondence between the operating parameter value and the operating current value; when the operating parameter value does not meet a preset threshold range, adjusting a device of the beverage machine configured to regulate the operating parameter value to obtain an updated operating parameter value; and performing extraction under a condition corresponding to the updated operating parameter value to obtain the drinking solution. The technical solution of the present application can achieve precise control of the extraction process of the drinking solution at low cost and improve the taste of the produced drinking solution.