Cleaning granule dispensing device, dispensing method and beverage machine

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing beverage machines require manual addition of cleaning granules, which is labor-intensive and time-consuming, while liquid cleaning agents necessitate complex systems to control dosage and can lead to spillage.

Innovation Solution

A cleaning granule dispensing device with a motor-driven delivery disc that automatically receives and dispenses cleaning granules, ensuring precise and automated dispensing through a mechanism involving a storage container, discharge port, and delivery outlet, integrated with a beverage machine.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If liquid cleaning agents are used to clean the brewing chamber, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but device complexity increases and spillage risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning effectivenessVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses disposable solid cleaning granules instead of liquid cleaning agents. The granules are loaded into a storage container and automatically dispensed in controlled amounts, eliminating the need for complex dosage control systems while maintaining cleaning effectiveness. The granules are consumed and replaced periodically, simplifying the overall system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the complex liquid dispensing mechanism with a simple motor-driven delivery disc system. The delivery disc with cavities mechanically transports solid granules from the storage container to the brewing chamber, eliminating the need for pumps, valves, and dosage control systems required for liquid agents.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If liquid cleaning agents are used to clean the brewing chamber, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning effectivenessVSAvoiduser convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-service by automatically dispensing the correct amount of cleaning granules without user intervention. The motor-driven delivery disc automatically transfers granules from the storage container to the brewing chamber, eliminating the need for users to manually measure or pour cleaning agents.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The cleaning granules are pre-loaded into the storage container in advance. The system is prepared for cleaning operations by having the granules ready in the storage container, and the automatic dispensing mechanism is pre-configured to deliver the correct dosage, eliminating the need for users to perform preparation steps during cleaning operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If manual addition of cleaning granules is used, then ease of operation is improved, but productivity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser convenienceVSAvoidcleaning efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The storage container can hold multiple doses of cleaning granules, allowing the system to perform multiple cleaning operations without user intervention. The motor-driven delivery disc continuously automates the dispensing process, maintaining productivity while improving ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

4Ease of operation

If manual addition of cleaning granules is used, then ease of operation is improved, but loss of time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser convenienceVSAvoidtime consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4643723A1Cleaning granule dispensing device, dispensing method and beverage machine

Publication Date: 2025.11.05 KALERM TECH (SUZHOU) CO LTD

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AI summary

The present application provides a cleaning granule dispensing device, a beverage machine, and a dispensing method. The cleaning granule dispensing device includes: a base; a storage container disposed above the base, the storage container having an accommodation cavity for accommodating cleaning granules; a driving mechanism including a motor and a delivery disc driven to rotate by the motor, the delivery disc being disposed on the base; wherein the storage container includes a bottom plate portion, the bottom plate portion is provided with a discharge port communicating with the accommodation cavity, the discharge port is offset relative to a rotation axis of the delivery disc; the base is provided with a delivery outlet; the delivery disc is provided with at least one delivery cavity, driven by the motor, the delivery disc drives the delivery cavity to sequentially communicate with the discharge port and the delivery outlet.