Beverage machines device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beverage machines, such as coffee machines, face challenges in providing improved comfort and variability in beverage preparation, particularly in regulating flow parameters efficiently and reducing noise and volume flow, while maintaining food safety and flexibility.
Innovation Solution
The beverage machine device incorporates a mechanical control unit positioned fluidically before the brewing unit to regulate flow parameters, including volume flow, to achieve constant values, and integrates this control unit with the beverage pump to reduce noise and volume, allowing for flexible operation and efficient beverage preparation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a motor-driven valve with linear stepper motor is used to regulate water flow, then flow control precision is improved, but device complexity and noise increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the motor-driven valve with a purely mechanical control unit that uses the kinetic energy of the flowing beverage liquid itself to operate the valve. The control unit includes a valve body with a valve element that is mechanically actuated by the flow of liquid through the system, eliminating the need for motors, stepper mechanisms, and associated electronic controls while maintaining precise flow regulation capability
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit is designed to be self-regulating, using the beverage liquid's own flow characteristics to automatically control the valve opening. The mechanical design allows the flowing liquid to directly influence valve position through pressure differential and flow-induced movement, creating a self-service system that requires no external power source or complex control electronics
2Measurement precision
If a motor-driven valve with linear stepper motor is used to regulate water flow, then flow control precision is improved, but noise increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the motor-driven valve with a purely mechanical control unit that uses the kinetic energy of the flowing beverage liquid itself to operate the valve. The control unit includes a valve body with a valve element that is mechanically actuated by the flow of liquid through the system, eliminating the need for motors, stepper mechanisms, and associated electronic controls while maintaining precise flow regulation capability
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit is designed to be self-regulating, using the beverage liquid's own flow characteristics to automatically control the valve opening. The mechanical design allows the flowing liquid to directly influence valve position through pressure differential and flow-induced movement, creating a self-service system that requires no external power source or complex control electronics
3Productivity
If control unit regulates flow characteristic to constant value, then operational efficiency is improved, but flexibility in volume flow selection is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit incorporates dynamic adjustment capability through a mechanical design that allows the valve opening to vary based on flow conditions. The valve element can be positioned at different openings to create various volume flows, and the system can adapt between different flow rates while maintaining operational efficiency through the mechanical flow-regulating mechanism
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
This configuration enhances operational efficiency, flexibility, and noise reduction, ensuring improved comfort and variability in beverage preparation while maintaining food safety and efficient performance.
Implementation Method 1
at least one beverage pump (12), preferably a vibrating armature pump, which is provided for conveying a beverage liquid (14)
Implementation Method 2
at least one control unit (16) which is provided for adjusting at least one flow characteristic of the beverage liquid (14)... the control unit comprises at least one valve element (28), which is provided for directly changing an inlet cross-section
Implementation Method 3
at least one piston (24) with a control surface (26)... at least one orifice (30) with an orifice opening (32), which is designed to regulate the volume flow and generate a dynamic pressure
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The invention relates to a beverage machine device, in particular a coffee machine device, comprising at least one beverage pump (12), preferably a vibratory armature pump, which is provided for conveying a beverage liquid (14), with at least one control unit (16), which is provided for adjusting at least one flow characteristic of the beverage liquid (14), and with at least one preparation unit (18), which includes at least one brewing unit (20). It is proposed that the at least one control unit (16) be arranged fluidically upstream of the brewing unit (20).