Beverage preparation device with beverage draining means
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beverage preparation devices in vehicles face safety and hygiene issues due to uncoordinated activation of emptying mechanisms, leading to potential burns from residual hot beverages and hygiene concerns from leftover fluids.
Innovation Solution
A beverage preparation device with a residual beverage draining valve that automatically switches positions based on the receptacle's engagement and disengagement, using magnetic activation for safe and efficient drainage of residual liquids without electrical connections, ensuring safety and hygiene by preventing splashing and complete removal of residual beverages.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a residual beverage draining mechanism is added to evacuate residual liquid from the beverage delivery means, then hygiene is improved by removing leftover fluids, but device complexity increases and safety risks arise from uncoordinated activation
Solution Approach 1:
The draining valve is integrated into the existing beverage delivery means structure, combining the draining function with the dispensing mechanism. The valve uses the same magnetic activation principle as the receptacle engagement system, merging control mechanisms rather than adding separate complex systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The draining mechanism activates automatically when the receptacle is removed, using the receptacle's own presence/absence to trigger the draining action. The magnetic activation means detect receptacle removal and self-activate the draining valve without requiring separate control inputs, making the system self-regulating.
2Reliability
If an emptying means is activated to evacuate residual liquid, then hygiene is improved, but safety risks increase due to potential jets of hot beverage
Solution Approach 1:
The draining valve is positioned and configured to drain residual beverage into a designated receptacle or container before the beverage can jet out. The preliminary positioning of the valve and drainage path ensures that residual liquid is captured safely rather than released as a hot jet.
Solution Approach 2:
The magnetic activation means provide feedback about receptacle presence/absence to control the draining valve timing. The system monitors the receptacle state and only activates draining when appropriate (when receptacle is removed), creating a feedback-controlled safety mechanism that prevents premature or uncoordinated draining actions.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the draining valve is activated automatically upon receptacle removal, then safety is improved by preventing hot beverage jets, but the system requires coordination between valve and receptacle
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical coordination systems with magnetic field-based activation. Magnetic activation means detect the receptacle's presence or absence through magnetic field interaction, eliminating the need for mechanical linkages, switches, or complex sensing mechanisms to coordinate the draining valve with receptacle removal.
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 solution effectively prevents hot beverage splashing and ensures complete drainage of residual liquids, enhancing user safety and hygiene by automatically draining residual beverages when the receptacle is removed, even without power, and simplifying the device's operation.
Implementation Method 1
the residual beverage draining valve and/or the beverage receptacle comprise valve activation means arranged to move the draining valve between a beverage dispensing position in response to the engagement of the bottom of the receptacle with the beverage injector and a residual beverage draining position in response to the removal of the receptacle from the beverage injector
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4
AI summary
Beverage preparation device (1) for preparing a beverage from a beverage dose (2) comprising: - a brewing unit (3) for receiving the dose (2) and preparing a beverage from the ingredients contained within the dose and pressurized liquid injected in the dose, - a pressure pump (4) for supplying pressurized liquid to the brewing unit (3), - beverage dispensing means (5) connected to the brewing unit and comprising a beverage injector (6) arranged for dispensing the beverage through a bottom (8) of a beverage receptacle (7); wherein the beverage dispensing means (5) comprises a residual beverage draining valve (9), between the beverage injector (6) and the brewing unit (3), which is arranged to be moved between a beverage dispensing position and a residual beverage draining position, wherein the residual beverage draining valve (9) and/or the beverage receptacle (7) comprise valve activation means (10) arranged to move the draining valve between a beverage dispensing position in response to the engagement of the bottom of the receptacle with the beverage injector and a residual beverage draining position in response to the removal of receptacle from the beverage injector (6).