System and method for preparing beverages
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for preparing beverages fail to effectively manage hot water temperature in a tank by combining control of both electric and thermo-dynamic parameters, such as electric motor parameters and water flow-rate, and lack means to detect temperature differences at the heat exchanger inlet and outlet.
Innovation Solution
A system with a water supplying assembly that includes a heat source with controlled electric resistances and a pump, where a processor continuously monitors temperature, frequency, voltage, and current to adjust the pump's flow-rate and heat source resistance to maintain a constant output temperature, using algorithms to manage these parameters and modulate the pump's operation based on temperature readings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a system uses only temperature sensors at heater outlets to control temperature, then the control is simple, but the temperature management of hot water in a tank heated through combined electric and thermo-dynamic parameters cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary computational algorithm that acts as a mediator between the simple temperature sensor readings and the complex temperature control requirement. The algorithm computes the outlet temperature of one heater based on the reading from another heater's sensor, effectively translating simple sensor data into comprehensive temperature management for combined electric and thermo-dynamic heating systems without requiring direct sensors at all heating points
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the need for complex physical temperature sensing and control infrastructure with a computational approach. Instead of installing temperature sensors at every heater outlet and using complex mechanical control systems, the invention uses electronic computation algorithms to derive and manage temperatures based on limited sensor inputs, substituting mechanical sensing complexity with electronic information processing
2Measurement precision
If temperature sensors are installed at both heater outlets to directly measure temperatures, then accurate temperature control is achieved, but the system complexity increases with multiple sensors and computing algorithms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the temperature control function from requiring multiple physical sensors and simplifies the system by taking out only the essential temperature measurement need. By computing one temperature value from another through an algorithm, the system extracts the core temperature management function while eliminating the need for redundant physical sensors and their associated complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a computational copy of temperature information rather than using physical copies (sensors) at every measurement point. The algorithm generates a computed temperature value that replicates the information that would be obtained from a physical sensor at the second heater outlet, allowing accurate temperature control without duplicating physical sensing infrastructure
3Reliability
If the system monitors multiple parameters (temperature, frequency, voltage, current) continuously, then optimal temperature control is achieved, but the device complexity and data processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple monitoring functions (temperature, frequency, voltage, current) into a unified control algorithm that processes all these parameters together to determine pump flow-rate. Instead of treating each parameter monitoring as a separate complex subsystem, the invention combines them into an integrated computational approach that manages all parameters through a single coordinated control logic
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the control approach by changing from monitoring parameters separately to using parameter relationships. The system uses the interrelationships between temperature, frequency, voltage, and current parameters to derive pump control decisions, converting multiple independent monitoring tasks into a coordinated parameter transformation process that reduces overall system complexity
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 system achieves a constant temperature of the fluid exiting the heat exchanger by dynamically adjusting the pump's flow-rate and heat source resistance, ensuring optimal temperature control and maintaining it despite variations in output temperature readings.
Implementation Method 1
a heat source with controlled electric resistances
Implementation Method 2
a pump, where a processor continuously monitors temperature, frequency, voltage, and current to adjust the pump's flow-rate
Implementation Method 3
heated by a heat exchanger
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
A system for preparing beverages is described, comprising a water supplying assembly (500) for a unit (600) for producing a hot beverage comprising a device (510) for heating water equipped with a heat source (511), a pump (540) interposed between a water container (550) and the device (510), a supplying duct (520) of hot water from the device (510) to the unit (600), a temperature sensor (521) associated with the duct (520), control means (530) operatively associated with the sensor (521) and to the pump (540) to be able to continuously check the water temperature in the duct (520) and to control the operation of the pump (540), such control means (530) comprising a processor (531) adapted to check frequency, voltage and current of the electric motor of the pump (540) to be able to change the water flow-rate depending on the temperature detected by the sensor (521). A method is also described for preparing beverages through the above