Beverage-making apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beverage-making apparatuses require separate components for cleaning and sterilization, which complicates the brewing process and increases equipment complexity.
Innovation Solution
A beverage-making apparatus that integrates a water supply heater, ingredient supplier, and processor to control valves and pumps, allowing for cleaning and sterilization using the same components used for brewing, thereby simplifying the process and reducing equipment complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate components are used for cleaning and sterilization, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The brewing apparatus components (water supply heater, ingredient supplier, channels, and valves) are designed to perform dual functions: brewing operations and cleaning/sterilization operations. The same water supply heater heats water for both brewing and cleaning, the same channels transport both brewing materials and cleaning solutions, and the same valves control flow for both purposes. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate cleaning equipment while maintaining cleaning effectiveness through proper control sequencing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the cleaning system with the brewing system by integrating cleaning functions into existing brewing components. The cleaning mode utilizes the water supply heater, ingredient supplier, channels, and valves that are already part of the brewing apparatus, combining both brewing and cleaning capabilities into a single unified system rather than maintaining separate independent systems.
2Reliability
If the water supply heater is activated continuously, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The water supply heater operates periodically rather than continuously during cleaning mode. The processor activates the heater for specific time intervals corresponding to cleaning operations, then deactivates it when heating is sufficient. This periodic operation maintains cleaning effectiveness by providing heat when needed while reducing overall energy consumption compared to continuous heating.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses its own brewing components (water supply heater, channels, valves) to perform cleaning, eliminating the need for separate dedicated cleaning equipment. The heater serves itself by switching between brewing and cleaning functions, optimizing energy use by only heating water when actually required for either brewing or cleaning operations rather than maintaining constant heat.
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
The apparatus effectively cleans and sterilizes brewing components, ensuring hygiene and efficiency in beverage production without the need for additional cleaning equipment, while maintaining the quality of the brewing process.
Implementation Method 1
a water supply heater configured to heat water
Implementation Method 2
a water supply pump configured to pump the water out of the water tank towards the water supply heater
Implementation Method 3
a flow meter configured to measure a flow rate of water introduced into the water supply heater
Implementation Method 4
a thermistor configured to measure a temperature of the water that is heated by the water supply heater
Data Source
AI summary
A beverage-making apparatus includes a water supply heater configured to heat water; an ingredient supplier connected to the water supply heater through a water supply channel; a container connected to the ingredient supplier through a first channel; a first valve configured to regulate a flow through the first channel; and a beverage extractor connected to the first channel at a location between the ingredient supplier and the first valve.