Hot Beverage Machine Mechanical Flow Control for Accessible Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hot beverage preparation machines face hygiene issues due to accumulated residues and lack of accessibility for cleaning, leading to user dissatisfaction and potential mold growth, as electronic valves are not user-accessible.
Innovation Solution
A hot beverage preparation machine with a mechanical beverage flow system and safety member that controls the flow of beverage from the brewing chamber to the pot, allowing for user access and efficient cleaning, featuring a flow control member connected to a motor and cam mechanism that interrupts flow when the pot is removed, ensuring user safety and preventing beverage discharge.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If electronic valves are used for transferring water into the pot, then the brewing process can be automated and controlled, but the valves become inaccessible for cleaning and accumulate beverage residues leading to hygiene problems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the flow control function from an enclosed electronic valve system and places a manual flow control member in the brewing chamber that can be directly accessed and operated by the user. This allows the user to manually control the water flow and access the brewing chamber for cleaning, while the electronic control system remains for automated operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a manual flow control member as an intermediary between the electronic control system and the water reservoir. This mediator allows users to physically access and control the water flow, enabling cleaning operations while the electronic system maintains automated brewing control.
2Manufacturing precision
If electronic valves are used for beverage transfer, then precise flow control is achieved, but user access to components for cleaning is prevented
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the flow control system into two parts: an electronic control mechanism for precise automated operation and a manual flow control member for user access and cleaning. This segmentation allows both precision control and ease of maintenance to coexist.
Solution Approach 2:
The manual flow control member enables users to perform their own cleaning and maintenance of the brewing chamber without requiring service personnel or disassembling complex electronic components. Users can directly access and clean the brewing chamber when needed.
3Ease of operation
If the pot is removed from the housing, then user access to the brewing chamber is improved, but uncontrolled beverage discharge may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary anti-action by having the manual flow control member automatically close or restrict water flow when the pot is removed from the housing. This prevents uncontrolled beverage discharge before it can become a problem, while still allowing user access to the brewing chamber.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides feedback through the manual flow control member that responds to the pot's position. When the pot is removed, the flow control member detects this and automatically adjusts to prevent uncontrolled flow, creating a feedback loop that maintains safety while enabling access.
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 mechanical system ensures the beverage's taste is preserved by preventing staleness and allows for easy cleaning of components, enhancing user safety and hygiene by mechanically controlling the beverage flow and enabling access to the brewing chamber for maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
a water reservoir (3) which is placed onto the body (2) and wherein the brewing water is heated
Implementation Method 2
a brewing chamber (5) wherein the brewing process is performed as a result of the interaction between raw beverage material and water
Implementation Method 3
an actuation mechanism (8) which controls the delivery of the beverage brewed in the brewing chamber (5) into the pot (7)
Implementation Method 4
a flow control member (10) which controls the flow of the beverage from the brewing chamber (5)
Implementation Method 5
a safety member (9) which triggers the actuation mechanism (8) when the pot (7) is taken out of the housing (6) so as to prevent the beverage from being discharged from the brewing chamber (5)
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a hot beverage preparation machine (1) comprising a body (2); a water reservoir (3) wherein water is filled; a water heater (4) enabling the water in the water reservoir (3) to be heated; a brewing chamber (5) wherein the raw material of the beverage to be prepared is put and whereto the water heated in the water reservoir (3) is transferred, wherein the brewing process is performed as a result of the interaction between the raw beverage material and water; a housing (6) which is situated on the body (2), under the brewing chamber (5); a pot (7) which is placed into the housing (6), the top surface thereof being at least partially open and whereto the beverage brewed in the brewing chamber (5) is transferred.