Coupling of a device for connecting a beverage machine to a distribution network
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Solution Overview
Problem
Beverage preparation machines often require frequent manual refilling of water tanks and lack efficient mechanisms for continuous water supply from city water distribution networks, leading to inconvenience and potential overflow issues.
Innovation Solution
A connecting device that integrates with beverage machines to establish a fluidic connection with external liquid delivery systems, featuring a valve arrangement and control unit for automatic liquid supply and overflow prevention, allowing for continuous operation and easy retrofitting onto existing machines.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual refilling of water tanks is used, then the machine can operate with simple structure, but frequent refilling is required which reduces productivity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a connecting device as an intermediary component that bridges the beverage machine and the city water distribution network. This mediator includes a valve arrangement and control unit that automatically manages water supply, eliminating the need for frequent manual refilling while maintaining manageable system complexity through modular design
Solution Approach 2:
The connecting device is designed to be universally applicable to various beverage machines with water tanks. It provides multiple functions including automatic water supply, overflow prevention, and easy installation/removal, making it a versatile solution that improves productivity across different machine types without requiring complex machine-specific modifications
2Productivity
If direct connection to city water network is implemented, then continuous water supply is achieved, but overflow issues may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit receives feedback from level sensors that monitor the water level in the beverage machine's tank. When the tank reaches its maximum capacity, the sensor signals the control unit to close the valve arrangement, automatically preventing overflow while maintaining continuous supply capability from the city water network
Solution Approach 2:
The valve arrangement is designed to be dynamically controllable, switching between open and closed states based on real-time tank level conditions. This dynamic control enables the system to adapt to varying water levels and prevent overflow while maintaining efficient continuous water supply when the tank has capacity
3Ease of operation
If valve arrangement with control unit is added, then automatic liquid supply and overflow prevention are achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit and valve arrangement form an automated self-service system that monitors tank levels and controls water supply without user intervention. The system automatically opens the valve when water is needed and closes it when the tank is full, providing ease of operation while keeping the control logic simple and manageable
4Productivity
If connecting device is integrated into beverage machine, then continuous water supply is enabled, but retrofitting difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting device is segmented into a separate, modular unit that can be independently installed on existing beverage machines. This segmentation allows the device to be retrofitted without modifying the machine's core structure, maintaining ease of manufacture and installation while enabling continuous water supply functionality
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
Enables continuous and efficient liquid supply from city water networks, reducing the need for frequent manual refilling and preventing overflow through sensor-controlled valve operation, enhancing user convenience and machine functionality.
Implementation Method 1
a valve arrangement switchable between an open configuration for establishing a fluidic connection between the inlet and the outlet and a closed configuration for interrupting the fluidic connection
Data Source
Figure 1~3
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AI summary
A connecting device is arranged for connecting a beverage machine (2) with an external liquid delivery system (3) to supply such liquid to the machine (2). The connecting device (1) has: a device body (16); an inlet (10) for a fluid connection to the external system (3); an outlet (13) for delivering liquid from the external system (3) via the inlet (10) to the machine (2); a valve arrangement (12a, 12b) switchable between an open configuration for establishing a fluidic connection between the inlet (10) and the outlet (13) and a closed configuration for interrupting the fluidic connection; and a control unit (14) for switching the valve arrangement (12a, 12b) between its open configuration and its closed configuration. The device body (16) has an assembly arrangement (16c; 16b, 16d, 16e, 16f ) for reversibly or irreversibly assembling the device body (16) to the machine (2).