Beverage Maker Water Supply Switching Between Mains and Tank Modes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beverage makers, such as coffee machines, often require a choice between a mains water connection or a tank-based system, limiting flexibility and convenience, as retrofitting between these options is complex and expensive, and mixed operation modes are not feasible.
Innovation Solution
A beverage maker that can switch between mains water and tank operation modes, featuring a mains water kit with hydraulic, mechanical, and electrical connectors, allowing connection to a drinking water network, and a control device that manages water levels and filling via sensors, enabling manual or automated switching between modes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a beverage maker is equipped with a mains water connection, then water supply convenience is improved, but adaptability to different operating modes deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The beverage maker dynamically adapts its water supply mode based on operational needs. The system can switch between mains water connection mode and removable tank mode, allowing the water supply configuration to change from fixed to flexible depending on whether the machine is operating in a permanent location or needs to be moved.
Solution Approach 2:
The beverage maker is designed with universal water supply capabilities that accommodate multiple operating scenarios. The system can function with either a permanent mains water connection or a removable water tank, making it suitable for both fixed installations and mobile applications without requiring separate machines.
2Reliability
If a beverage maker uses a fixed mains water connection, then water supply reliability is improved, but ease of maintenance and cleaning deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The water supply system is segmented into separate functional modules. The water tank is divided as a distinct removable component from the main machine body, allowing the tank to be easily detached for cleaning and maintenance while the main machine remains in place with its reliable mains water connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The water storage function is extracted as a separate removable tank that can be taken out from the main beverage maker. This extracted tank can be easily cleaned, replaced, or maintained independently, while the main machine retains its reliable fixed water connection for continuous operation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a beverage maker is designed as a tank machine, then adaptability to different locations is improved, but water supply efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The beverage maker dynamically adapts its water supply mode based on operational needs. The system can switch between mains water connection mode and removable tank mode, allowing the water supply configuration to change from fixed to flexible depending on whether the machine is operating in a permanent location or needs to be moved.
4Adaptability or versatility
If retrofitting is performed to change between mains water and tank modes, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The beverage maker is preliminarily equipped with all necessary interfaces and components during manufacturing to support both mains water connection and removable tank modes. The machine includes pre-installed connection points, valves, and control systems that enable mode switching without requiring complex retrofitting or conversion work later.
Data Source
AI summary
A beverage maker, in particular an electrically operated coffee machine having a water tank, which can be filled with water which can be used to prepare a beverage by means of the beverage maker,wherein the beverage maker is configured as connectable to a drinking water network via an inflow, characterized in that the water tank can be manually removed from the beverage maker by a user of the beverage maker in a state in which the beverage maker is connected to the drinking water network via the inflow and/or can be filled with the water selectively by manual filling of water by a/the user of the beverage maker or by introducing drinking water from the drinking water network via the inflow.