Controlled motorized brewing unit
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beverage machines require manual effort for capsule insertion and ejection, posing safety risks and inefficiencies, especially in terms of user intervention and potential injuries during operation.
Innovation Solution
A motorized brewing machine with a controlled brewing unit that uses power consumption monitoring to automate the capsule loading and unloading process, incorporating a motor-driven mechanism with safety features to prevent injuries and enable semi-automatic or automatic brewing, rinsing, and de-scaling modes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If manual operation is used for brewing device closure, then device complexity is reduced, but user safety deteriorates due to risk of finger injury and manual effort requirement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical closure system with an automated motorized system. The motor-driven closure mechanism eliminates the need for users to manually apply force to close the brewing device, thereby removing the hazard of finger injury while maintaining the mechanical closure function. The motor automatically performs the closing action based on detected brewing parameters.
Solution Approach 2:
The brewing device is equipped with sensors that automatically detect when a capsule is inserted and when brewing conditions are met, then autonomously activates the motor to close the device. This self-service capability removes the need for manual intervention in the closure process, preventing user injury while maintaining operational control.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If motorized closure is implemented, then user safety improves by eliminating manual effort, but device complexity increases due to additional motor and control components
Solution Approach 1:
The motorized closure mechanism is integrated with the existing brewing control system, allowing the same motor assembly to serve multiple functions: capsule insertion assistance, brewing chamber closure, and ejection tray operation. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated mechanisms, thereby limiting the increase in overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the motorization system with the existing control electronics and sensor array. The motor control is integrated into the central processing unit that already manages brewing parameters, water flow, and heating. This merging of control functions prevents the proliferation of separate control systems, keeping the added complexity manageable.
3Productivity
If power consumption monitoring is added for automated operation, then productivity improves through semi-automatic brewing modes, but device complexity increases due to monitoring and control systems
Solution Approach 1:
The power consumption monitoring system provides real-time feedback to the control unit, which automatically adjusts brewing parameters and motor operation based on detected power levels. This feedback mechanism enables automated detection of capsule presence, brewing completion, and abnormal conditions, thereby improving productivity through semi-automatic operation without requiring complex manual monitoring procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual monitoring and adjustment of brewing parameters with an automated electronic monitoring system. Power consumption sensors and control electronics automatically track and respond to brewing conditions, eliminating the need for manual intervention while providing efficient semi-automatic and automatic brewing modes. The electronic system substitutes for complex mechanical adjustment mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
A motorized beverage machine (1) has a brewing unit (2) that comprises a first assembly (13) and a second assembly (14) cooperating together, each assembly (13,14) delimiting part of a brewing chamber (29) for containing an ingredient capsule (30). At least one of these assemblies (14) is: movable away from the cooperating assembly (13) into an open position within such machine for forming between said assemblies a passage (31) for inserting into and/or removing from the brewing unit the ingredient capsule (30); and movable to the cooperating assembly into a closed position for forming the brewing chamber (29). The machine comprises activation means including: a motor for driving the movable assembly between the open and closed positions and transmission means for transmitting the drive action of the motor to the movable assembly; water supply means for supplying heated water to brewing chamber; control means for controlling the drive action of the motor comprising means for measuring at least one electrical parameter representative of the motor power consumption and for comparing the evolution of said measured parameter as a function of time during the transfer of the assembly from the open to the closed position to a set reference and means for providing an input to at least one of the activation means as a result of the compared evolution of the measured parameter to the set reference.