Beverage preparation device with milk system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beverage preparation devices, such as fully automatic coffee machines, face challenges in accurately dosing milk due to variations in pump performance influenced by milk viscosity, type, and operating time, leading to inconsistent milk delivery and froth formation.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a flow meter in the milk system to measure and control the milk volume accurately, with a control unit regulating the milk pump based on flow meter signals, and using a second flow meter in the water system for calibration during rinsing to compensate for measurement deviations, ensuring precise portioning and consistent milk delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a milk pump is used to deliver milk for a constant period of time, then the milk delivery process is simple to control, but the dosing precision of milk volume is poor and varies with pump performance changes
Solution Approach 1:
A flow meter is integrated into the milk delivery system to provide real-time feedback on the volume of milk being pumped. The control unit receives signals from the flow meter and adjusts the pump operation accordingly, enabling precise dosing of milk volume despite variations in pump performance over time or with different milk types.
2Quantity of substance
If the pump operates for a longer time to deliver more milk, then the milk quantity increases, but the dosing accuracy decreases due to pump efficiency changes over time
Solution Approach 1:
The flow meter continuously monitors the cumulative milk volume delivered by the pump. The control unit uses this feedback information to track the total quantity of milk dispensed and adjust the pump operation to achieve the target dose, ensuring accurate dosing regardless of the pump's changing efficiency during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical timing-based dosing method is replaced with a measurement-based system using a flow meter and electronic control. Instead of relying on the pump's mechanical performance characteristics, the system directly measures the actual milk volume delivered and uses this information to control the dosing process.
3Adaptability or versatility
If air is supplied to the suction side of the milk pump for froth production, then milk froth can be created, but the milk delivery amount per unit time becomes highly variable and difficult to measure
Solution Approach 1:
The flow meter provides continuous feedback on the actual flow rate and volume of milk being pumped, even when air is mixed in for froth production. The control unit uses this information to compensate for the variability in delivery caused by the presence of air bubbles and changing milk consistency, maintaining accurate dosing control.
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
A beverage preparation device, particularly for preparing coffee, tea, or milk-based beverages, comprising a milk system for dispensing milk and/or milk foam, and a control unit for controlling the beverage preparation device for portion-based beverage dispensing. The milk system includes a connectable delivery line to a milk container and a milk pump connected to the delivery line. A first mechanical flow meter is arranged in the delivery line and is connected to the control unit via a signal to measure the volume of milk delivered by the milk pump.The beverage preparation device also includes a water supply system for supplying fresh water and/or hot water, and the water supply system includes a second flow meter for determining the volume of water supplied by the water supply system, wherein the water supply system can be connected to the milk system via at least a first rinsing valve for carrying out a rinsing process such that the first and second flow meters are hydraulically connected in series, and wherein the control unit is configured to perform a calibration of the first flow meter to measured values of the second flow meter during a rinsing process.