Beverage preparation device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beverage preparation devices face challenges in efficiently preparing various beverages due to difficulties in cleaning, limited torque transmission, insufficient dissolution or frothing, and inability to control mixing time and volume, especially for small volumes and ingredients with poor dissolution properties.
Innovation Solution
A beverage preparation device with a spinning chamber of a solid of revolution shape that forms a ring of liquid along its lateral wall, allowing for controlled mixing and frothing without valves, combined with a static mixer for enhanced agitation and frothing, and easy dismantling for maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a whipping chamber with a whipper is used for mixing and frothing, then beverage preparation efficiency is improved, but maintenance complexity increases due to dismounting requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical whipper system with a centrifugal mixing chamber that uses rotational motion to achieve mixing and frothing. The chamber rotates at controlled speeds to create centrifugal force that agitates the beverage, eliminating the need for a separate whipper mechanism and its associated maintenance requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The mixing chamber serves multiple functions: it mixes soluble powder with diluent, froths the beverage, and controls dispensing through its rotational mechanism. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate whippers and cleaning mechanisms, simplifying maintenance while maintaining beverage preparation efficiency.
2Ease of operation
If a magnetic drive is used to avoid gasket dismounting, then ease of operation is improved, but torque transmission is insufficient for efficient dissolution and frothing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the magnetic drive system with a direct mechanical drive that connects the motor to the mixing chamber. This direct drive mechanism transmits sufficient torque to the chamber to enable effective mixing and frothing, while the chamber's design allows for easy removal and cleaning without requiring gasket disassembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The mixing chamber is designed as a separable component that can be easily detached from the motor assembly. This segmentation allows the chamber to be removed for cleaning without disassembling seals or gaskets, while the motor remains in place. The chamber can be detached by simply releasing it from the motor shaft.
3Device complexity
If diluent jets are used for mixing, then device complexity is reduced, but mixing efficiency is limited by beverage volume
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the diluent jet system with a centrifugal mixing chamber that uses rotational mechanical energy to agitate the beverage. The chamber rotates to create centrifugal force that thoroughly mixes the soluble powder with the diluent and froths the beverage, providing superior mixing efficiency independent of beverage volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The mixing chamber operates with variable rotational speeds that can be adjusted based on the beverage type and desired outcome. The motor can rotate the chamber at different speeds to optimize mixing for various volumes and viscosities, providing adaptive mixing efficiency that jet systems cannot achieve.
4Ease of operation
If a rotating mixing chamber with fixed blades is used, then ease of operation is improved, but control over mixing time and parameters is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The mixing chamber is designed with adjustable rotational speeds and variable mixing times. The motor can rotate the chamber at different speeds, and the mixing process can be stopped at any point, allowing precise control over mixing parameters. This dynamic control enables adaptation to different beverage types and desired outcomes while maintaining easy chamber removal for cleaning.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows adjustment of rotational speed, mixing time, and chamber orientation as independent parameters. These parameters can be modified based on the specific beverage preparation requirements, providing versatility in mixing control while the chamber remains easily removable for maintenance.
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
Enables efficient preparation of diverse beverages by controlling mixing time and volume, improving dissolution and frothing, and simplifying maintenance, while maintaining the beverage in the chamber until desired attributes are achieved.
Implementation Method 1
the chamber presents a shape such that when the chamber is spinning, liquid present in the chamber forms a ring of liquid along the lateral side wall of the chamber above the bottom
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 4a~4b
AI summary
The invention concerns a beverage preparation device (10), said device comprising : - a chamber (1) for receiving and agitating a liquid, said chamber comprising an opened top (11), an opened bottom (12) and a lateral side wall (13), said chamber presenting the shape of a solid of revolution, the axis of revolution (XX') being oriented between the top and the bottom of the chamber, - a rotating unit (2) for spinning the chamber (1) around its axis of revolution (XX'), and wherein the chamber presents a shape such that when the chamber is spinning, liquid present in the chamber forms a ring of liquid along the lateral side wall (13) of the chamber above the opened bottom (12).