Infused Beverage Machine With Manual Plug Valve for Dual Delivery
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing machines for preparing infused beverages using disposable capsules or pods are complex, bulky, costly due to solenoid valves, prone to encrustations, and limited to delivering one beverage at a time, lacking the ability for simultaneous delivery of hot water and infused beverage.
Innovation Solution
A machine design with separate delivery ducts for infused beverage and hot water, featuring a valve member that allows simultaneous or independent delivery of both, controlled by a manually operable lever, reducing complexity and size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If solenoid valves are used to control hot water delivery, then the machine can deliver hot water independently, but the machine becomes bulky and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the solenoid valve from the system entirely. Instead of using an electrically controlled solenoid valve, the invention uses a mechanically operated plug valve that is manually controlled. This extraction of the complex solenoid valve component directly reduces machine complexity, size, and cost while maintaining the capability to control hot water delivery independently through the manual valve mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the expensive, complex solenoid valve with a simple, inexpensive manual plug valve mechanism. The manual valve is a basic mechanical component that is much cheaper and simpler to manufacture than an electrically actuated solenoid valve, thereby reducing overall machine cost and complexity while achieving the same functional outcome of controlling hot water flow.
2Ease of operation
If solenoid valves are used for beverage delivery control, then precise flow control is achieved, but encrustations occur on the valves
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the solenoid valve component that is prone to encrustations and replaces it with a manual plug valve system. The manual valve design allows for easier cleaning and maintenance, reducing the harmful encrustation problem while maintaining adequate flow control capability for the beverage delivery application.
Solution Approach 2:
The manual plug valve design enables the user to directly control and adjust the flow manually, and the simple mechanical structure allows for easy self-cleaning and maintenance. This self-service capability reduces the accumulation of encrustations that would otherwise require complex automated cleaning systems or specialized valve designs.
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 flexible delivery options, reduces machine size and cost, and prevents encrustations by eliminating solenoid valves, while maintaining optimal beverage quality.
Implementation Method 1
a heat exchanger (6) configured for heating water
Implementation Method 2
said second delivery duct comprises a valve member (7) for controlling the delivery of hot water; said first valve member comprising: a plug movable at least between a first position, in which it prevents the delivery of hot water through said second delivery duct
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A machine for preparing infused beverages, such as for example coffee, of the type operating with pods or capsules containing aromatic essences is described, comprising: - an infusion assembly (1) comprising an infusion chamber (2) delimited by a first cup-shaped infusing element (3) and provided with a cavity, for accommodating an infusion capsule or pod therein, and a second infusing element (4) which cooperates with the first infusing element to define, when coupled therewith, said infusion chamber (2); - a heat exchanger (6) configured for heating water; - a first delivery duct (9) placed downstream of and combined with said infusion chamber (2), said first delivery duct (9) being configured for delivering an infused beverage coming from said infusion chamber (2); - a second delivery duct (14) placed downstream of said infusion chamber (2) and configured for delivering hot water coming from said heat exchanger (6); - said second delivery duct (14) comprises a valve member (7) for controlling the delivery of hot water; - said first valve member (7) comprising: - a plug (15) movable at least between a first position, in which it prevents the delivery of hot water through said second delivery duct (14), simultaneously allowing the delivery of the infused beverage through said first duct (9), and a second position in which the delivery of hot water through said second delivery duct (14) is allowed and the delivery of the infused beverage through said first duct (9) is simultaneously prevented.