Multi-Flow-Meter Beverage Maker for Accurate Dual Dispensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beverage makers struggle with simultaneous or time-delayed dispensing of two or more hot beverages due to significant metering fluctuations, resulting in low metering accuracy.
Innovation Solution
A beverage maker design incorporating multiple flow meters in both cold and hot water paths allows for precise measurement of water amounts, enabling simultaneous or time-delayed dispensing of multiple beverages with high accuracy by directly measuring or calculating dispensed amounts using flow meters in the respective paths.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single flow meter is used in the cold water path to measure total water amount, then the system complexity is reduced, but the metering precision for simultaneous dispensing of multiple beverages deteriorates due to inability to differentiate water amounts for each beverage path
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the water measurement system into multiple independent measurement segments by placing separate flow meters in each hot water path (first hot water path and second hot water path). This segmentation allows independent measurement of water amounts for different beverage types (coffee and non-coffee beverages), enabling precise metering even when dispensing simultaneously, while eliminating the need to calculate water amounts based on total cold water consumption.
2Measurement precision
If flow meters are installed in both cold water path and hot water paths, then the metering precision for multiple beverage dispensing is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by strategically placing flow meters only where needed for precise measurement - specifically in the hot water paths for coffee and non-coffee beverages - rather than uniformly in all water paths. This selective placement achieves accurate metering for simultaneous dispensing while minimizing the number of flow meters required, thus balancing measurement precision with system complexity.
3Productivity
If time control is used for dispensing the second beverage, then the productivity is improved by enabling sequential dispensing, but the metering precision deteriorates due to assumptions of constant flow and line parameters
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by using flow meters to directly measure the actual water amounts dispensed in real-time for each beverage path, rather than relying on theoretical calculations based on constant flow assumptions. The measured water amounts are fed back to the control unit, which uses this actual data to accurately control the dispensing process, enabling both high productivity through simultaneous dispensing and high metering precision through direct measurement.
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 design ensures accurate dispensing of beverages, allowing for correct beverage preparation and dispensing even when multiple beverages are prepared simultaneously, with the option for leak monitoring and localization.
Implementation Method 1
a heating device for heating water
Implementation Method 2
a first flow meter that is arranged in the cold water path or in the first hot water path, and at least one second flow meter that is arranged in the at least one second hot water path
Implementation Method 3
a conveying device for conveying water
Data Source
AI summary
A beverage maker includes a heating device for heating water, a cold water inflow, a first hot water outlet, at least one second hot water outlet, a cold water path connecting the cold water inflow to the heating device, a first hot water path connecting the heating device to the first hot water outlet, at least one second hot water path connecting the heating device to the at least one second hot water outlet, a conveying device for conveying water, a first flow meter that is arranged in the cold water path or in the first hot water path, and at least one second flow meter that is arranged in the at least one second hot water path. A method of determining hot water amounts dispensed by a beverage maker and/or hot water amounts used for beverage preparation is also disclosed.