Machine for preparing beverages, including dairy beverages, provided with a sprinkler head and a pod support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beverage preparation machines are large and require manual handling of cups to prepare both hot frothed milk and pressurized coffee, lacking a compact design that allows for simultaneous preparation without cup manipulation.
Innovation Solution
A machine with a cold water tank, hot water production system, hand shower, pod holder, and container holder, featuring an electronic control card with programs to heat and froth milk in a container without moving it, then infuse coffee or other ingredients under pressure into the same container, utilizing a single spray nozzle and support for both functions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a machine is designed to prepare both hot frothed milk and pressurized coffee in a cup, then the machine can offer multiple beverage preparation functions, but the machine size increases and requires manual handling of cups between functions
Solution Approach 1:
The hand shower is designed to perform multiple functions: it can spray hot water directly into the cup for frothing milk, and it can also spray into the infusion chamber for preparing pressurized coffee. This single component replaces what would traditionally require separate nozzles or mechanisms, allowing the machine to offer multiple beverage preparation functions without proportionally increasing complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The control card is programmed to automatically sequence the preparation steps: it first activates the hand shower to froth the milk in the cup, then automatically positions the pod holder and activates the infusion chamber for coffee preparation. This automated sequencing eliminates the need for manual cup handling between functions, as the system prepares both beverages in the same cup in a predetermined sequence
2Ease of operation
If separate cup supports are provided for milk frothing and coffee preparation, then each function can be optimized, but the device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
A single cup support is designed to hold the cup in the optimal position for both milk frothing and coffee preparation functions. The hand shower and infusion chamber are both positioned to work effectively with the cup in this single location, eliminating the need for multiple cup supports or complex positioning mechanisms while maintaining function-specific optimization
Solution Approach 2:
The cup support structure is merged with the overall machine framework, and the hand shower and infusion chamber are arranged to converge on the same cup position. This consolidation allows the single cup support to serve both functions effectively, reducing the number of separate components while maintaining operational effectiveness
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 machine reduces size and simplifies design by enabling the preparation of frothed hot milk and pressurized drinks without cup handling, achieving efficient and compact operation while maintaining the ability to prepare filter coffee in large quantities and single pressurized drinks.
Implementation Method 1
dispense a first predetermined volume of hot water... which makes it possible to heat the milk and froth it
Implementation Method 2
dispense a second predetermined volume of hot water... so that the sprayer produces a jet of hot water in the infusion chamber, which allows the infusion to be poured into the container
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a beverage preparation machine (1) comprising a hot water production and distribution system, a spray nozzle (16), a pod holder (19) and a container support, the spray nozzle and the pod forming an infusion chamber (27). The machine comprises a control device comprising a function of preparing a milk drink in a receptacle placed on the receptacle support throughout the preparation, said device comprising an electronic control card comprising two programs. When the first program is launched, said system dispenses a first volume of hot water, the pod holder (19) being removed so that the shower head (16) produces a jet of water directly into the container containing a milk product. When the second program is launched, following the first program, said system dispenses a second volume of hot water, the pod holder (19) being positioned with a pod so that the spray wand (16) produces a jet of water in the infusion chamber (27).