Cleaning system and method for beverage appliance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Beverage appliances, such as cappuccino makers, face issues with milk delivery line contamination and bacteria growth due to the need for manual and cumbersome cleaning processes, which often require partial disassembly.
Innovation Solution
A cappuccino coffee maker with a venturi system incorporating solenoid valves controlled by a processor for automatic cleaning, where steam is used to purge milk from the system after frothing, ensuring residual milk is removed and preventing contamination without user intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual cleaning is used to clean the milk delivery lines, then the cleaning can be performed, but the process is cumbersome and requires partial disassembly
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs automatic self-cleaning through a cleaning cycle where the pump delivers cleaning solution through the milk delivery lines without user intervention. The processor controls the solenoid valves and pump to automatically flush the system, eliminating the need for manual disassembly and cleaning operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The manual mechanical cleaning process is replaced by an automated fluid-based cleaning system. The pump delivers cleaning solution through the delivery lines, and the processor controls the solenoid valves to automate the entire cleaning process, substituting manual mechanical operations with an automated electromechanical system.
2Productivity
If the milk delivery lines are not cleaned regularly, then the system operates continuously, but contamination and bacteria growth occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary cleaning action by delivering cleaning solution through the milk delivery lines during designated cleaning cycles. This preventive cleaning action removes milk residues before they can cause contamination or bacteria growth, allowing continuous operation while maintaining hygiene.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning function is integrated into the continuous operation cycle, with the processor automatically initiating cleaning cycles at appropriate intervals. This ensures continuous protection against contamination while maintaining productivity, as the cleaning action occurs seamlessly within the overall system operation.
3Extent of automation
If a cleaning system is added to the beverage appliance, then automatic cleaning is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The existing pump and solenoid valves are utilized for dual purposes: delivering milk during normal operation and delivering cleaning solution during cleaning cycles. The processor controls these existing components to perform both functions, avoiding the need for separate dedicated cleaning hardware and minimizing additional system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning system is merged with the existing milk delivery system by using the same pump, tubing, and solenoid valves for both milk delivery and cleaning solution delivery. This integration combines multiple functions into existing components, achieving automatic cleaning capability while minimizing increases in overall device 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 automatic cleaning feature ensures the milk distribution system is cleaned every time frothed milk is dispensed, preventing contamination and bacteria growth, eliminating the need for manual cleaning and enhancing user convenience.
Implementation Method 1
The steam inlet and milk inlet each include a solenoid valve configurable between an open state and a closed state
Implementation Method 2
deliver milk and steam, respectively, to the venturi to produce frothed milk
Implementation Method 3
a burst of steam only is forced through the venturi and distribution lines to purge them of milk
Data Source
AI summary
The beverage appliance of the present invention includes a venturi having a steam inlet and a milk inlet. The steam inlet and milk inlet each include a solenoid valve configurable between an open state and a closed state. The solenoid valves are electrically coupled to a processor and are controllable through first and second switches. In operation, upon activation of the first switch, the solenoid valves are controlled to their open states to deliver milk and steam to the venturi to produce frothed milk. When a desired amount of frothed milk has been dispensed, the user deactivates the first switch and the processor controls only the milk inlet solenoid valve to its closed state. The steam inlet solenoid valve remains in its open state for a predetermined amount of time such that a burst of steam only is forced through the venturi and distribution lines to purge them of milk.