Beverage Machine Water Delivery Using Gravity and Capillary Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beverage preparation machines often require complex mechanisms for handling and processing ingredient capsules, including active thermal conditioners and pumps, which can increase energy consumption and operational complexity.
Innovation Solution
A beverage preparation machine that uses a centrifugal process to mix water with flavoring ingredients contained in capsules, utilizing a passive water delivery system without active thermal conditioners or pumps, and incorporates a valve arrangement controlled by an electric actuator to manage water flow, allowing for efficient and simple beverage preparation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If active thermal conditioners and pumps are used in beverage preparation machines, then beverage preparation functionality is improved, but energy consumption and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the thermal conditioner and pump from the beverage preparation machine, extracting these complex active components. Water is delivered passively from a reservoir to the brewing chamber using gravity flow, eliminating the need for mechanical pumping while maintaining beverage preparation functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses self-service water delivery where water automatically flows from the reservoir to the brewing chamber through gravity-driven flow paths. The valve arrangement controlled by the electric actuator enables automated water dispensing without requiring active pumping mechanisms, reducing device complexity while maintaining operational capability.
2Ease of operation
If active thermal conditioners and pumps are used in beverage preparation machines, then beverage preparation functionality is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the pump from the system, eliminating the energy consumption associated with active water pumping. Water is delivered passively using gravity-driven flow from an elevated reservoir, significantly reducing energy requirements while maintaining beverage preparation functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements self-service water delivery where water automatically flows from the reservoir to the brewing chamber through gravity. The electric actuator only needs to operate the valve arrangement for brief periods to control water flow, rather than continuously powering a pump, thereby reducing overall energy consumption.
3Device complexity
If a passive water delivery system is used without pumps, then energy consumption and device complexity are reduced, but water flow control precision may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a valve arrangement as an intermediary component between the water reservoir and brewing chamber. This valve, controlled by an electric actuator, precisely regulates water flow despite the passive gravity-driven delivery system, ensuring accurate water dispensing for beverage preparation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical pump system with an electrically controlled valve arrangement. The electric actuator provides precise control over the valve opening, enabling accurate water flow regulation without the complexity of mechanical pumping mechanisms.
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 achieves efficient beverage preparation with reduced energy consumption and operational complexity, enabling easy handling of capsules and precise control over the preparation process without the need for active thermal conditioning or pumps.
Implementation Method 1
The machine is arranged for preparing a beverage from a flavouring ingredient, e.g. coffee or tea or chocolate or cacao or milk or soup, by mixing water with the flavouring ingredient, e.g. by centrifugally driving such flavouring ingredient with water
Implementation Method 2
Water guide 30 for guiding water between the water source and chamber 21
Data Source
AI summary
A machine (1) for preparing a beverage (3) includes: a beverage processing unit (10, 20) that delimits a chamber (21) in which a flavouring ingredient (2) is mixed with water (4) during beverage preparation; a water source for delivering the water towards the beverage processing unit (10, 20); and a water guide (30) extending from the water source into the beverage processing unit (10, 20) arranged such that substantially all the water (4) delivered into the chamber (21) for preparing the beverage (3) is guided by the water guide (30). The water guide (30), and optionally the water source, is/are configured such that the water (4) is driven from the water source into the chamber (21) along the water guide (30) substantially only by effect of gravity and/or capillary and/or gas pressure and/or depression forces.