Beverage preparation machine with a controlled pump
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Solution Overview
Problem
Beverage preparation machines lack a reliable and efficient pump configuration for controlling liquid flow and pressure, which affects the quality and consistency of beverages, particularly in terms of taste, texture, and visual aspects.
Innovation Solution
A beverage preparation machine with a pump having a displaceable wall driven by an electric actuator, equipped with a sensor to measure electrical parameters for power consumption, allowing for controlled power supply to adjust flow and pressure, and incorporating a control unit to manage thermal conditions and ingredient interaction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a simple pump configuration is used, then device complexity is reduced, but pump performance control reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control system where a sensor detects the actual liquid flow rate and feeds this information back to the control unit. The control unit compares the detected flow rate with the target flow rate and adjusts the pump actuator's driving signal accordingly. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures reliable pump performance control while maintaining a relatively simple pump configuration, directly resolving the technical contradiction between simplicity and control reliability.
2Manufacturing precision
If electrical parameters are measured to control power supply, then liquid flow and pressure control precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical flow measurement and pressure control systems with an electrical control system. Instead of using mechanical flowmeters and pressure sensors with mechanical adjustment mechanisms, the system uses electrical parameters (voltage, current, power) to control the pump actuator's motor. This substitution of mechanical systems with electrical control achieves precise liquid flow and pressure control while actually reducing overall device complexity, as electrical control systems are more compact and easier to integrate than their mechanical counterparts.
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
This configuration ensures consistent and adjustable liquid flow and pressure, influencing beverage quality by optimizing taste, texture, and visual aspects, while also providing safety measures for malfunctions or blockages.
Implementation Method 1
The pump has an electric actuator driving the displaceable wall between a first position and a second position for causing an inflow of liquid from the source into the chamber and for causing an outflow of liquid from the chamber
Implementation Method 2
The powering unit includes a sensor for measuring at least one electrical parameter representative of a consumption of power by the actuator from the source
Implementation Method 3
The control unit is configured to control the power supplied to the actuator by the electric power source as a function of: the at least one measured parameter; and a desired liquid input into the chamber and/or a desired liquid output from the chamber
Implementation Method 4
causing an outflow of liquid from the chamber to the dispensing outlet optionally via a thermal conditioner such as a heater and/or cooler
Data Source
AI summary
A beverage preparation machine (1) comprises a source of liquid (2,3) and a dispensing outlet (4) connected via a pump (10) that includes a chamber (11) and a displaceable wall (12) delimiting the chamber (11). The pump (10) further has: an electric actuator (13) driving the displaceable wall (12) for causing an inflow of liquid from the source into the chamber (11) and for causing an outflow of liquid from the chamber (11) to the dispensing outlet (4); and a powering unit (14) that comprises an electric power source (142) and that is configured for supplying power to the actuator (13). The powering unit (14) further comprises: a sensor (143) for measuring an electrical parameter representative of a consumption of power by the actuator (13); and a control unit (144) that is connected to the sensor (143) and to the electrical power source (142) and that is configured to control the power supplied to the actuator (13) by the electric power source (142) as a function of: the measured parameter; and a desired liquid input into the chamber (11) and/or liquid output from the chamber (11), such as a desired flow and/or pressure of the liquid input and/or of the liquid output.