Continuous Filter Belt Infuser for Multi-Beverage Vending
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beverage infusing systems fail to consistently deliver high-quality drinks with optimal ingredient usage, reliability, temperature control, and versatility in drink sizes, and are limited to infusing a single type of product.
Innovation Solution
A modular infuser with a continuous filter belt system, including a back plate assembly, belt assembly with rollers, annular seal, and removable spout, allowing for adaptation with different mesh sizes and spout diameters to accommodate various beverages, and enabling multiple infusers in a single machine.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single-type infusing system is used, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to different beverages and drink sizes is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The infusing system is divided into separate modular components: a removable infusing chamber, a filter assembly, and a beverage delivery system. This segmentation allows different chambers to be swapped for different beverage types (coffee, tea, cocoa) without redesigning the entire system, thus improving adaptability while keeping individual components simple
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs universal components that can serve multiple functions: the same basic infusing mechanism handles different beverage types through interchangeable chambers, the filter assembly works across all beverage types with varying mesh sizes, and the temperature control system serves all infusing operations, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining versatility
2Reliability
If continuous filtering is implemented, then drink quality and consistency are improved, but device complexity and maintenance requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The filter assembly is designed as a disposable or easily replaceable component with a simple mesh structure. After use, the entire filter assembly can be discarded or quickly swapped without complex cleaning mechanisms, maintaining reliable filtration while avoiding the complexity of self-cleaning systems or intricate filter maintenance mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of designing a complex reusable filter that requires intricate cleaning mechanisms, the patent inverts the approach by making the filter assembly simple and disposable. This eliminates the need for complex maintenance mechanisms while ensuring consistent filtration quality through factory-prepared filters
3Temperature
If precise temperature control is implemented, then beverage quality is improved, but energy consumption and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
Water is heated to the required temperature before contact with the beverage ingredient in a separate heating chamber. This preliminary heating action ensures the correct temperature is achieved before infusing begins, maintaining beverage quality while allowing the main infusing chamber to remain thermally simple and energy-efficient
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains a continuous supply of heated water through a thermal reservoir or insulated heating system. This continuous preparation of heated water ensures temperature consistency across multiple beverages without requiring repeated energy-intensive heating cycles, reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining precise temperature control
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 modular infuser provides improved drink quality, reliability, and temperature control, with reduced maintenance and operating costs, while allowing for a range of drink sizes and the ability to infuse multiple types of beverages.
Implementation Method 1
a filter belt assembly including a continuous filter belt... The lower chamber moves open to allow the filter belt assembly to discharge waste grounds
Implementation Method 2
A vortex action mixes water and ingredient together
Data Source
AI summary
A modular infuser includes a back plate assembly containing drive mechanisms and supporting a belt assembly, and infusing and mixing chambers. The belt assembly includes rollers rotating a continuous filter belt in either direction, an annular seal, and a funnel directing liquid to a removable, rotatable spout. The infusing chamber moves between having the bottom clamped to the seal through the filter belt and being spaced apart from the filter belt to allow waste removal by rotation of the filter belt. The mixing chamber receives and mixes ingredient and water, passing the mixture into the infusing chamber below. Replacement of the filter belt with different mesh sizes and of the removable spout with different inner diameters allows the mechanism to be easily adapted for different beverages, such as coffee or tea. Multiple instances of the modular infuser may be mounted in a single vending machine.