Replaceable Cleaner Cartridge Coupling for Beverage Machine Dosing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beverage machines require complex and user-unfriendly cleaning processes, with direct contact to cleaning liquids posing risks and inefficiencies in dosing systems.
Innovation Solution
A beverage machine with a replaceable liquid cleaner container and dosing device, featuring a dosing pump with a drive coupling outside the container, allowing for continuous cleaner supply and simplified exchange, along with a pipeline coupling for secure and space-efficient design, and a piston mechanism for precise dosing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a replaceable liquid cleaner container is implemented, then user contact with cleaning liquids is reduced and safety is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional coupling mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning system is divided into a replaceable container module and a fixed machine module. The container can be independently removed and replaced by the user without contact with cleaning liquids, while the machine housing contains all coupling mechanisms and drive systems.
Solution Approach 2:
A drive coupling acts as an intermediary between the user and the cleaning liquid. The user interacts only with the external container housing, while the drive coupling internally transmits power to the dosing pump without requiring user contact with the liquid cleaner.
2Ease of operation
If the drive motor is positioned outside the replaceable container, then container exchange is simplified, but the mechanical coupling becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The drive motor is extracted from the replaceable container and positioned in the fixed machine housing. This allows the container to be exchanged without dealing with electrical or mechanical drive components, simplifying the user operation.
Solution Approach 2:
A mechanical coupling system with drive shaft and transmission elements replaces direct motor-to-pump integration. This allows the motor to remain externally mounted while still providing reliable power transmission to the dosing pump through the container interface.
3Reliability
If a closed system is used for the cleaner pipeline, then sealing tightness is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pipeline coupling integrates multiple functions including mechanical connection, sealing, and alignment into a single integrated component. This merging of functions ensures sealing tightness while simplifying the manufacturing process through reduced assembly steps.
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 simplifies the cleaning process by reducing user contact with cleaning liquids, ensuring reliable and precise dosing, and maintaining machine efficiency through a closed system, enhancing user-friendliness and operational convenience.
Implementation Method 1
The dosing pump (4.11) is designed so that it delivers a metered amount of liquid cleaner (3.1) into the beverage machine (1)
Implementation Method 2
a piston mechanism for precise dosing
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a beverage machine, more particularly for preparing hot drinks, with a liquid cleaner replaceable container formed as a replaceable container, characterized in that parts of a liquid cleaner dosing device are formed interchangeable with the liquid cleaner replaceable container.