Beverage machine with an ergonomic service unit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Beverage preparation machines face issues with moisture accumulation and liquid projections due to air circulation openings in service units, which hinder efficient waste management and lead to clogging.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates an upright wall with angled through-passages in the service unit to inhibit liquid projections from exiting, combined with a dampening chamber and anti-clogging features to manage waste effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If air circulation openings are provided in the service unit, then air circulation is improved, but liquid projections escape and moisture accumulates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making different parts of the wall have different properties: the lower part has through-passages for air circulation while the upper part remains solid to prevent liquid escape. This spatial differentiation allows each region to fulfill its specific function - air flow at the bottom and liquid containment at the top.
Solution Approach 2:
The wall is segmented into distinct functional zones: a lower section with through-passages for air circulation and an upper section without openings for liquid containment. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by separating the air circulation function from the liquid containment function into different spatial regions.
2Reliability
If through-passages are added to the service unit wall, then air circulation is enhanced, but clogging occurs due to liquid accumulation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by designing the upright wall to extend above the capsule chamber opening, creating a protective barrier before liquid projections can escape through the through-passages. This preventive structure stops liquid from reaching the air circulation openings, thereby preventing clogging before it occurs.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the service unit wall is made solid to prevent liquid escape, then liquid containment is improved, but air circulation is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The wall structure implements local quality by having different permeability characteristics at different heights: the lower portion contains through-passages for air circulation while the upper portion is solid for liquid containment. This localized differentiation allows both air circulation and liquid containment to coexist without compromising either function.
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 prevents liquid projections from escaping, reduces moisture accumulation, and prevents clogging, enhancing the efficiency and usability of the service unit in beverage preparation machines.
Implementation Method 1
the at least one through-passage has in vertical cross-section along the through-passage: a medial axis generally sloping upwards along the through-passage from the cavity to the outside of the machine
Implementation Method 2
thereby reducing moisture accumulation in the collection cavity
Data Source
AI summary
A beverage preparation machine (1) has: an extraction unit with a closed configuration for extracting a capsule (2) therein and an open configuration for removing the used capsule (2) therefrom; and a service unit (10) located under the extraction unit (20) and forming a receptacle having a collection cavity (11) for collecting the used capsule (2) and residual liquid projections (3) from the extraction unit (20). The service unit (10) has an upright wall (130) delimiting at least one through-passage (131) for favouring air circulation from inside the cavity (11) to outside the machine (1). The through-passage (131) is angled away from the direction of the liquid projections from the extraction unit (20) so as to inhibit the passage of the liquid projections through the through-passages.