Hot Beverage Machine Recirculation to Maintain Dispensing Temperature
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Solution Overview
Problem
Automatic hot beverage preparation machines face issues with water temperature dropping below the threshold during inactivity, leading to suboptimal hot beverage dispensing.
Innovation Solution
The machine incorporates a recirculation mechanism where hot water from the boiler is recirculated back to the tank when the temperature falls below a threshold, using solenoid valves controlled by an electronic unit to maintain the water supply manifold and dispensing valves at optimal temperature, ensuring proper heating during inactivity periods.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the machine remains inactive for a period, then energy consumption is reduced, but water temperature in the second branch drops below the threshold temperature needed for appropriate hot beverage dispensing
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary heating of the second branch water supply line before beverage dispensing is requested. The electronic control unit activates the water boiler to heat water that circulates through the second branch, pre-warming the supply lines and manifold so that when hot water is needed, the temperature is already at the required threshold, eliminating the need for continuous heating during inactivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses a small amount of hot water from the boiler to selfheat the second branch supply lines through recirculation. The heated water naturally flows through the second branch and returns to the boiler, creating a self-sustaining thermal cycle that maintains temperature without requiring external energy input beyond the initial heating phase.
2Temperature
If continuous heating of the second branch is maintained, then water temperature remains at optimal level, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuous heating, the system implements periodic or on-demand heating cycles. The electronic control unit monitors temperature sensors in the second branch and only activates the water boiler when the temperature drops below the threshold or when beverage dispensing is requested. This intermittent operation maintains temperature requirements while significantly reducing energy consumption during extended inactivity periods.
3Stability of the object's composition
If a recirculation system is added to maintain temperature, then water temperature stability improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The water boiler serves multiple functions: it heats water for beverage dispensing, heats water for recirculation through the second branch, and maintains temperature in the storage tank. By making the boiler a multi-functional component rather than adding a separate heating device, the system achieves temperature stability without proportionally increasing device complexity. The same heating element and control system handle multiple thermal management tasks.
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
This solution maintains the water supply manifold and dispensing solenoid valves at optimal temperature, ensuring consistent and appropriate hot beverage dispensing by preventing water flow to the dispensing assembly until the desired temperature is reached, thus overcoming the issue of temperature drop during machine inactivity.
Implementation Method 1
a water supply pump arranged along the second water supply section to circulate water in the hydraulic water supply circuit
Implementation Method 2
a water boiler to heat water
Implementation Method 3
a water boiler to heat water
Implementation Method 4
a first solenoid valve assembly and a second solenoid valve assembly, each comprising a plurality of solenoid valves arranged in parallel
Data Source
AI summary
An automatic hot beverage preparation machine comprising a hydraulic water supply circuit having a first branch to connect a water source and a water boiler, a second branch to connect the water boiler and a hot beverage dispensing assembly, a third branch to connect the first branch and the second branch, and a valve device to selectively control supply of water in the third branch as a function of a signal from a water temperature sensor arranged to measure water temperature at an outlet of the water boiler.