Beverage Maker Valve-Container Coupling for Hygienic Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beverage makers face challenges in long-term usability and hygienic cleaning due to complex and difficult-to-clean flow line systems, particularly with liquid containers that are not easily visible, leading to issues with fill level monitoring, space requirements, and risk of spills during preparation.
Innovation Solution
A beverage maker design featuring a direct, sealing connection between the liquid container and multi-way valve, eliminating the need for external flow lines, with a quick-release mechanism and automated cleaning capabilities, allowing for simplified handling and compact design, and incorporating a translational piston for flow line control using a linear or stepper motor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If flow lines are used to connect the liquid container to the multi-way valve, then the beverage maker can be more flexible in design, but the cleaning becomes difficult and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the flow lines from the system by implementing a direct connection between the liquid container and multi-way valve. The container is positioned to engage directly with the valve housing, eliminating the intermediate flexible hoses that previously connected them. This extraction of the problematic flow lines resolves the cleaning difficulty while maintaining design flexibility through the direct mechanical engagement of the container with the valve assembly.
2Loss of information
If the liquid container is made visible from outside the beverage maker, then fill level can be monitored visually, but the connections become difficult to clean
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a door assembly that can be opened to provide access to the liquid container. This allows the container to be visible and accessible for fill level monitoring when the door is open, while the connections remain protected and accessible for cleaning when the door is opened during maintenance. The door mechanism creates a temporal separation between the visibility function and cleaning function, allowing both requirements to be satisfied at different times.
3Loss of time
If automated cleaning is implemented, then cleaning time is reduced, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-cleaning mechanism where the beverage maker automatically rinses the flow lines and connections using its own water supply system. The multi-way valve is controlled to redirect water flow through the connections during a cleaning cycle, eliminating the need for manual disassembly and cleaning. This self-service approach reduces cleaning time while adding minimal complexity by utilizing existing system components.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the liquid container is detachably inserted, then the beverage maker can accommodate different containers, but the connections are difficult to clean
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the liquid container and multi-way valve into a more integrated assembly where the container engages directly with the valve housing. This merging eliminates the separate flow line connections that were difficult to clean, while the container remains detachable for interchangeability. The direct engagement creates a unified structure where fewer separate components mean fewer connection points that require cleaning.
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 simplifies cleaning and maintenance, reduces space requirements, and ensures hygienic operation by allowing for automated cleaning without disconnection of the liquid container, while preventing spills and ensuring residue-free flow lines.
Implementation Method 1
The multi-way valve has a translational piston for opening and closing individual flow lines which can be actuated by a linear or stepper motor
Data Source
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AI summary
The maker has a multi-way valve (2) fluid-conductively connected with a liquid container (1). The multi-way valve comprises a flush nozzle (4) attached to a flow line, and an exhaust flange (5) attached to another flow line. The multi-way valve comprises an adjustable unit (6) for optionally opening and closing the flow lines. A connection nozzle (7) is formed on the multi-way valve. The liquid container comprises a flange (8) directly and sealingly connectable with the nozzle, where the flange is formed as a connector pin and arranged at a lid (10) of the liquid container. Independent claims are also included for the following: (1) a method for rinsing a beverage maker (2) a method for cleaning a beverage maker.