Brewed beverage-making machine
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing brewed beverage-making machines lack control over the flow rate of hot and cold water ducts, requiring sensors for accurate mixing, which increases costs and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A brewed beverage-making machine with a supply line, pump, flow meter, and electrovalves that autonomously regulate the mixing of cold and hot water without temperature or pressure sensors, using nozzles to define flow rates and a control unit to adjust water volumes, allowing for precise water temperature control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If sensors are arranged on the ducts to determine flow rate, then control on the mixing of cold and hot water is achieved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the pump itself to define flow rates through nozzle geometry rather than requiring external sensors for measurement. The nozzles are designed with specific dimensions that inherently control water flow rates, making the system self-regulating without additional measurement devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the approach from active measurement (using sensors to detect flow rate) to passive definition (using nozzle geometry to predetermined flow rates). By modifying the physical parameters of the nozzles, the system achieves flow control without requiring flow rate measurement sensors.
2Temperature
If temperature sensors are installed to control water mixing, then water temperature control is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by pre-defining flow rates through nozzle design before water mixing occurs. The nozzles are manufactured with specific geometries that predetermined the flow rates of cold and hot water, allowing temperature control to be achieved through flow rate control rather than requiring real-time temperature sensing and adjustment.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces flow rate as an intermediary parameter to control temperature. Instead of directly measuring and controlling temperature with sensors, the system controls the flow rates of hot and cold water through nozzle geometry, which indirectly but precisely controls the mixing temperature.
3Productivity
If flow meters and control units are added to regulate water supply, then water supply control is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pump system performs self-service by using its own operational characteristics to define water supply. The nozzles attached to the pump outlets inherently control the flow rates without requiring external flow meters or complex control systems. The system uses its existing components to achieve flow regulation.
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 cost-effectiveness and versatility by autonomously controlling water mixing and supply, eliminating the need for sensors and ensuring consistent beverage quality across automatic and traditional brewing methods.
Implementation Method 1
a pump (3) configured to receive water at a first temperature from an external source (4) and supply such water at the first temperature to the supply line (2)
Implementation Method 2
a heating element (11) arranged along said second fluid path (9) and configured to receive the water at the first temperature from said branch point (5) and supply the water at the second temperature to the mixing unit (7)
Implementation Method 3
a mixing unit (7) configured to receive and mix water at the first temperature and water at the second temperature, higher than the first temperature, so as to generate a mixture
Implementation Method 4
using nozzles to define flow rates
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
A brewed beverage-making machine (1) comprising: - a supply line (2) having a branch point (5); - a mixing unit (7) configured to receive and mix water at a first temperature with water at a second temperature higher than the first temperature to generate a mixture; - a first fluid path (8) connecting the branch point (5) to the mixing unit (7) and configured to supply the water at the first temperature to the mixing unit (7); - a second fluid path (9) connecting the branch point (5) to the mixing unit (7) and configured to supply water at the second temperature to the mixing unit (7), said second fluid path (9) being in parallel with the first flow path (8); - a first nozzle (12) and a second nozzle (13) arranged respectively along the first (8) and the second fluid path (9), said first nozzle (12) and second nozzle (13) being configured to define respectively the fluid flow rate along the first fluid path (8) and the second fluid path (9).