Beverage preparation machine with flexible drop stop
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beverage preparation machines face challenges in effectively managing the flow of beverages to prevent undesired dripping of residues into the dispensing area, particularly after or between dispensing processes, which can lead to inefficiencies and messes.
Innovation Solution
A beverage preparation machine with a drop collector featuring a motorized beverage guide that can be moved between dispensing and collecting positions, allowing for optimal liquid circulation and residue management, independent of the presence of a receptacle, and controlled by a user-interface and module actuator to adjust positions quickly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a fixed drop stop is used to prevent beverage residues from dripping into the dispensing area, then beverage residue prevention is improved, but the ability to quickly adjust between dispensing and cleaning processes deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The drop stop is designed as a movable component that can be dynamically adjusted between different positions. The actuator mechanism enables the drop stop to move between a first position (blocking the outlet during dispensing) and a second position (allowing drainage during cleaning), transforming a static structure into a dynamic one that adapts to different operational requirements.
2Productivity
If a motorized beverage guide is added to enable rapid position adjustment, then productivity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical positioning systems with a simpler actuator mechanism. The actuator directly drives the beverage guide and drop stop between predefined positions, eliminating the need for complex mechanical linkages, gears, or manual adjustment mechanisms while achieving rapid and reliable position changes.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the beverage guide is made movable between dispensing and collecting positions, then versatility is improved, but reliability of liquid flow control deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The drop stop serves as an intermediary element between the beverage guide and the outlet. It actively controls the liquid flow path by blocking the outlet when the beverage guide is in the dispensing position and allowing drainage when in the collecting position, ensuring reliable flow control despite the movability of the beverage guide.
Data Source
AI summary
A machine for dispensing a beverage (5) includes a beverage processing module (2) that has an outlet (20). The module (2) further has a first part (25) and a second part (26) that can be relatively moved between: a transfer configuration for introducing a beverage ingredient (4) between the first and second parts (25, 26) and/or removing the ingredient from therebetween; and a processing configuration for forming said beverage (5) from said ingredient (4) between the first and second parts (25, 26). The machine also includes:—a liquid driver (31) for driving a liquid along a liquid line (30) from a liquid source (32) via the processing module (2) to the outlet (20);—a drop collector (1) having a beverage guide (10) and a motor (11) for moving the guide (10) relatively to the outlet (20) into either a dispensing position for dispensing beverage (5) from the outlet (20) into a dispensing area (6) or a collecting position for dispensing residual beverage (5′) from the outlet (20) into a service area (7);—a control unit (3) for controlling the liquid driver (31) and the motor (11, 11a, 11b); and a user-interface (3′) for providing user-instructions to the control unit (3). The module (2) comprises a module actuator (21) for driving the first and second parts (25, 26) from the transfer configuration to the processing configuration and vice-versa, the actuator (21) being independent of the motor (11). The control unit (3) is arranged to activate the liquid driver (31) and the motor (11) upon receiving a user-instruction from the user-interface (32) independently of a presence or an absence of a receptacle (60) in the dispensing area (6).