Beverage preparation machine and method for preparing a beverage with such a beverage preparation machine

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Solution Overview

Problem

Customers face challenges in preparing beverages of optimal quality due to the need to manually enter various parameters for controlling the interaction of liquids with beverage components, leading to potential errors and suboptimal results.

Innovation Solution

A beverage preparation machine equipped with a holding section for detachably holding a beverage component holder or capsule, a transponder for storing data related to the component, and a control unit that manages liquid flow based on this data to ensure proper interaction and quality enhancement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the customer manually enters parameters for controlling the interaction of liquid with beverage component, then the beverage preparation can be performed, but the quality of the beverage becomes suboptimal due to potential errors in parameter entry

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of beverage preparationVSAvoidquality of beverage

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The beverage component holder is equipped with a transponder that automatically stores and transmits the optimal parameters for beverage preparation. The control unit reads these parameters and automatically controls the liquid flow, eliminating the need for manual parameter entry by the customer. This self-service mechanism ensures both ease of operation and reliable beverage quality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The transponder in the beverage component holder provides feedback information about the optimal preparation parameters to the control unit. This feedback mechanism allows the system to automatically adjust and control the liquid flow parameters, ensuring consistent high-quality beverage preparation without relying on manual customer input.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If various parameters are required for controlling the interaction of liquid with beverage component, then the beverage quality can be optimized, but the complexity of the device increases due to multiple parameters to manage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvequality of beverageVSAvoidcomplexity of parameter control

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The optimal parameters for beverage preparation are pre-stored in the transponder of the beverage component holder during manufacturing. This preliminary action eliminates the need for the customer to manually set or manage multiple parameters during operation, simplifying the device operation while maintaining optimized beverage quality through pre-determined parameter settings.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If the customer enters parameters manually, then the beverage preparation process can be initiated, but time is lost due to the need to know and enter proper parameters

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespeed of beverage preparationVSAvoidtime for parameter entry

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The transponder automatically provides the preparation parameters to the control unit, which then initiates the beverage preparation process without requiring customer intervention for parameter entry. This self-service mechanism eliminates the time loss associated with manually knowing and entering parameters, thereby improving the overall speed and productivity of beverage preparation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Reliability

If automated control of liquid flow is implemented based on transponder data, then the quality and consistency of beverage is enhanced, but the device complexity increases due to addition of control unit and transponder

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconsistency of beverage qualityVSAvoidcomplexity of automated control system

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit serves multiple functions: it reads the transponder data, interprets the parameters, controls the liquid flow, and manages the overall beverage preparation process. By making the control unit multi-functional, the patent reduces the need for separate dedicated components for each function, thereby minimizing the increase in device complexity while achieving consistent high-quality beverage preparation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS20230337850A1Beverage preparation machine and method for preparing a beverage with such a beverage preparation machine

Publication Date: 2023.10.26 SOCIETE DES PRODUITS NESTLE SA

AI summary

The beverage preparation machine (1) comprises: a beverage preparation device (2) with a holding section (10) for detachably holding a beverage component holder (12) that comprises: ⋅a cavity (14) for receiving a beverage component suitable for interacting with a liquid to prepare a beverage, and⋅a transponder (16) configured to store data related to the beverage component, a liquid delivery device (4) for delivering a liquid via a liquid inlet (18) into the cavity (14), a liquid discharge device (6) for discharging N the prepared beverage via a discharge outlet (22) out of the cavity (14) to a dispensing outlet (24), and a control unit (8) for controlling a liquid flow from the liquid delivery device (4) via the cavity (14) to the liquid discharge device (6) based on the stored data.