Beverage Powder Transfer Layout to Block Steam-Induced Clogging
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing beverage preparation apparatuses face issues with steam entering the powder discharge path due to incomplete sealing, leading to clogging and a complex construction for preventing this entry.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus includes a milling unit with an outlet port located below the agitation tank, a powder reception portion that is movable, and an agitation tank with a discharge portion, allowing for the prevention of steam entry into the powder discharge path while maintaining a simplified construction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a shutter is provided to open and close the outlet port, then entry of steam into the powder discharge path is suppressed, but the construction becomes complicated and complete hermetic sealing cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful element (shutter mechanism) is removed from the system. Instead of using a shutter to control the outlet port, the patent uses a powder reception portion that is movable between a receiving position and a discharge position. This eliminates the complex drive mechanism while maintaining the ability to control powder discharge and prevent steam entry.
Solution Approach 2:
A movable partition wall is introduced as an intermediary element between the outlet port and the powder discharge path. This partition wall can be moved to seal the outlet port when the powder reception portion is in the receiving position, preventing steam entry without requiring a complex shutter mechanism. The partition wall acts as a mediator that enables sealing through simple linear motion rather than rotational shutter movement.
2Reliability
If a shutter with drive portion is used to seal the outlet port, then steam entry is prevented, but the construction becomes more complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The drive portion for the shutter is completely removed from the system. The patent achieves sealing through the natural movement of the powder reception portion between receiving and discharge positions, which passively drives the partition wall to seal the outlet port without requiring any additional drive mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The powder reception portion serves dual functions: it receives and discharges powder, and simultaneously controls the sealing of the outlet port through its movement. The system uses the inherent motion of the powder reception portion to drive the partition wall, making the system self-sufficient without external drive mechanisms for sealing.
3Ease of operation
If the outlet port is positioned above the vessel, then powder discharge is facilitated, but steam from hot water entry solidifies powders around the outlet port causing clogging
Solution Approach 1:
The outlet port is repositioned from a vertical arrangement (above the vessel) to a horizontal arrangement (at the same level as the agitation tank). This dimensional change allows the outlet port to be positioned laterally adjacent to the agitation tank opening, enabling powder discharge while avoiding the steam environment inside the agitation tank.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable partition wall acts as an intermediary that separates the outlet port from the steam environment. When the powder reception portion is in the receiving position, the partition wall seals the outlet port, preventing steam from reaching the powder discharge path while still allowing the outlet port to be positioned near the agitation tank for efficient powder transfer.
Data Source
AI summary
A beverage preparation apparatus includes a milling unit which obtains powders by grating an object to be grated, a liquid storage tank which stores a liquid, a liquid supply path having one end connected to the liquid storage tank and having the other end provided with a supply port, a powder reception portion which is provided to be movable and receives powders obtained by the milling unit, and an agitation tank which has an opening portion opening upward and mixes the powders introduced through the opening portion from the moved powder reception portion and the liquid supplied through the opening portion from the supply port. The milling unit includes an outlet port which discharges the obtained powders into the powder reception portion and the outlet port is located below the opening portion.