Beverage preparation machine
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Solution Overview
Problem
Beverage preparation machines often experience fluctuating brewing temperatures due to cooling of brewing chamber elements when idle, leading to inconsistent beverage quality, despite existing solutions like temperature regulation and flow rate control, which do not effectively maintain consistent brewing temperatures.
Innovation Solution
A beverage preparation machine with a temperature sensor to measure initial temperatures before heating, and a rinsing process is performed if the temperature falls below a certain threshold, ensuring the brewing chamber is preheated before introducing the portion pack, thereby maintaining consistent brewing temperatures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the machine switches to standby mode quickly to save energy, then energy consumption is reduced, but the brewing chamber cools down and brewing temperature becomes inconsistent
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs a preliminary temperature check before brewing by measuring the temperature of water in the heating means. Based on this preliminary measurement, it decides whether a rinsing process is needed to preheat the brewing chamber, avoiding unnecessary heating cycles while ensuring consistent brewing temperature.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses a temperature sensor to continuously monitor the temperature of water in the heating means and provides feedback to the control unit. This feedback mechanism allows the system to make intelligent decisions about when to perform rinsing processes, balancing energy savings with brewing temperature consistency.
2Temperature
If a rinsing process is performed before every brewing to preheat the brewing chamber, then brewing temperature consistency is improved, but energy consumption and operation time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs a preliminary temperature check before brewing by measuring the temperature of water in the heating means. Based on this preliminary measurement, it decides whether a rinsing process is needed to preheat the brewing chamber, avoiding unnecessary heating cycles while ensuring consistent brewing temperature.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of performing a full rinsing process every time, the system applies partial action by only performing the rinsing process when the temperature check indicates it is necessary. This reduces energy consumption while still achieving the required brewing temperature consistency.
3Temperature
If the water heating means is kept hot continuously to maintain brewing temperature, then brewing temperature consistency is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuous heating, the system uses periodic action by checking the temperature before each brewing cycle and performing a rinsing process only when needed. This intermittent heating approach maintains brewing temperature consistency while significantly reducing energy consumption compared to continuous heating.
Solution Approach 2:
The water in the heating means serves a dual purpose: it is both the heating medium and the rinsing fluid that preheats the brewing chamber. This self-service approach uses the heated water itself to maintain the brewing chamber temperature, reducing the need for separate heating cycles.
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 approach ensures consistent brewing and beverage temperatures, enhancing beverage quality while being resource-saving and convenient for the consumer, by only performing the rinsing process when necessary, thus reducing energy consumption and maintaining ease of use.
Implementation Method 1
at least one temperature sensor (15) for measuring a temperature along the liquid path (at the location of the liquid heating means 12 or a location downstream of it)
Implementation Method 2
heating the water in the water heating means 12 to an operating temperature
Implementation Method 3
a water heating means 12 (e.g. a flow heater or boiler)
Implementation Method 4
rinsing the brewing chamber (16) with water from the water heating means 12
Implementation Method 5
rinsing process of the brewing chamber with water from the water heating means
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a beverage preparation machine for preparing brewed beverages from a portion pack, comprising an extraction substance provided in a portion pack. The beverage preparation machine comprises a water tank (7), a pump (11), a water heating means (12) and a brewing chamber (16) for receiving the portion pack (10), wherein the pump (11) is configured to convey water along a fluid path from the water tank (7) via the water heating means (12) into the brewing chamber (16). Said beverage preparation machine is characterised by a temperature sensor (15) for measuring a temperature along the fluid path and in that same is configured to measure a start temperature at the site of the temperature sensor (15) at least in one operating state after a switch-on or wake-up process and before a possible heating process of the water heating means and, after the water heating means (12) has reached an operating temperature, then and only then if the measured start temperature corresponds to a defined condition, to carry out a rinse process of the brewing chamber with water from the water heating means, and only then to introduce the portion pack into the brewing chamber.