Coffee Machine Return Pump to Prevent Beverage Cooling and Dripping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Coffee machines cool freshly brewed coffee on its path to the beverage outlet due to the high heat capacity of switching valves, leading to a suboptimal brewing experience.
Innovation Solution
A return pump is integrated into the device to suction coffee from the outlet line before, during, or after brewing, directing it into a drain or collecting container, thereby preventing cooling and allowing for pre-heating and targeted taste manipulation by varying suction speed and timing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a switching valve is used to connect the outlet line to the drain, then flushing liquid can be directed away from the beverage outlet, but the switching valve cools the freshly brewed coffee due to its high heat capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful cooling effect is extracted from the system by removing the switching valve from the hot coffee path. The patent replaces the valve-based drainage system with a pump-based system that creates negative pressure to suction coffee and flushing liquid directly into the drain, eliminating the thermal mass component that caused cooling.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical switching valve system is replaced with a pump-based negative pressure system. Instead of using a valve to switch between beverage dispensing and drainage modes, the patent uses a return pump to create suction that directs flow, replacing the thermal-mass-dependent valve mechanism with a pressure-driven pump system.
2Reliability
If the outlet line is connected to the drain via a switching valve, then residual coffee can be prevented from dripping, but the valve's heat capacity causes additional cooling of the coffee
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling problem is extracted by removing the switching valve from the system. The patent implements a pump-based drainage system that creates negative pressure in the outlet line, allowing residual coffee to be actively suctioned into the drain without passing through a thermal-mass valve that would cool the beverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses hydraulic principles by employing a return pump to create negative pressure (suction) in the outlet line. This negative pressure actively draws coffee and flushing liquid into the drain, replacing the valve-based mechanical switching system with a pressure-driven fluid control system that avoids thermal issues.
3Temperature
If a return pump is used to suction coffee from the outlet line, then coffee can be directed into the drain without cooling, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The return pump is integrated into the existing coffee machine architecture to perform multiple functions: it creates negative pressure for drainage, enables pre-heating of the outlet line by suctioning pre-heating water, and can be used for cleaning operations. This multi-functionality justifies the added complexity by consolidating several operations into a single pump-based system.
Solution Approach 2:
The return pump enables the system to self-regulate coffee temperature and drainage without requiring separate heating elements or complex valve arrangements. By using the pump to create negative pressure, the system automatically directs flow based on pressure differentials, reducing the need for additional active components and control mechanisms.
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 return pump ensures that only freshly brewed coffee is dispensed, prevents dripping, maintains optimal temperature, and allows for customizable taste profiles by controlling the coffee components dispensed.
Implementation Method 1
liquid is thus suctioned out of the outlet line by negative pressure and conducted into the drainage line
Implementation Method 2
a water pump which pumps water under pressure from a water connection or from a water tank in the direction of the brewing unit
Implementation Method 3
The supply of hot water from the hot water heater to the brewing unit
Data Source
AI summary
A return pump is provided in a coffee beverage preparing device having a brewing unit, to which hot water from a hot water heater can be supplied under pressure, and a beverage outlet which is connected to the brewing unit via an outlet line and via which a freshly brewed coffee beverage can be dispensed into a drinking vessel to be placed thereunder, the return pump being connected on the intake side in a fluid-conducting manner to the outlet line and opening on the delivery side into a drain or a collecting container in order to suction coffee beverage out of the coffee line before, during or after a brewing operation and to conduct the coffee beverage into the drain or collecting container. A controller activates the return pump and the return pump during pre-heating in which hot water is introduced into the brewing unit and/or the outlet line.