Dual Liquid Circuits for Individualized Cartridge Beverage Preparation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beverage preparation machines using cartridges, such as coffee capsules, are limited in preparing complex and individualized beverages without increasing complexity and usability issues, as they typically only allow for uniform beverages.
Innovation Solution
A beverage preparation machine with two separate liquid supply circuits, each controllable for temperature and volume, connected to an external electronic device via a network interface, enabling the preparation of composite beverages by combining flavor-containing and water/milk portions, with a simplified user interface on the machine and advanced control via a smartphone or tablet app.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single liquid supply circuit is used for simple beverage preparation, then the machine structure remains simple and ease of operation is maintained, but the ability to prepare complex and individualized beverages is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid supply system is divided into two separate circuits: a first liquid supply circuit for providing liquid to the cartridge (coffee preparation) and a second liquid supply circuit for providing liquid directly to the beverage outlet (milk/water addition). This segmentation enables independent control of each circuit's temperature and volume, allowing preparation of complex beverages like Americano while maintaining manageable system complexity through modular design
2Adaptability or versatility
If control functions are integrated into the machine's user interface, then individualization of beverages is enabled, but the user interface complexity increases and usability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
An external electronic device (smartphone or tablet) serves as an intermediary between the user and the beverage preparation machine. The device communicates with the machine via a network interface, allowing complex control functions for individualizing beverages to be implemented remotely through a mobile device's interface rather than complicating the machine's physical user interface
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
Enables the preparation of complex beverages like 'Americano' coffee by allowing independent control of liquid temperature and volume, enhancing user convenience and individualization without adding complexity to the machine's interface, allowing for various beverage profiles and recipes through a connected electronic device.
Implementation Method 1
a first liquid supply circuit configured for selectively providing liquid of predefined temperature and/or volume from a liquid reservoir of the machine
Implementation Method 2
a pump for metering liquid into the cartridge
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a beverage preparation machine (10) for preparing a liquid beverage from a cartridge, the machine comprising a first liquid supply circuit (13) configured for selectively providing liquid of predefined temperature and/or volume from a liquid reservoir (22) of the machine (10) to a cartridge inserted into the machine, a second liquid supply circuit (14) configured for selectively providing liquid of predefined temperature and/or volume from the liquid reservoir (22) of the machine to a liquid delivery outlet (11b) of the machine, a control unit (15) for controlling the first and second liquid supply circuit (13, 14), and a network unit (16) comprising a network interface for communication with an external electronic device (1) over a network, wherein the control unit (15) is configured to individually control the selective provision of liquid from the first and the second liquid supply circuit (13, 14) in response to information obtained via the network unit (16).