Machine for preparing liquid products, in particular via capsules
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing machines for preparing liquid food products, such as coffee, face issues with vibrations and noise due to solenoid-based pumps, which also lead to priming problems and require complex control systems with costly sensors for precise operation.
Innovation Solution
A machine using a d.c. motor-driven pump with a compact structure, featuring pistons and a cam mechanism for controlled reciprocating movements, eliminating the need for solenoids and reducing vibrations and noise, and incorporating a priming system that uses a recirculation valve for air elimination without additional actuators.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a solenoid-based pump is used, then the pump structure is simple, but vibrations and noise are considerable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the solenoid-based electromagnetic actuation system with a DC motor-driven cam mechanism. The DC motor provides rotational motion that is converted to reciprocating piston motion through the cam mechanism, eliminating the high-frequency vibrations and noise characteristic of solenoid operation while maintaining the pumping function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a cam mechanism that converts continuous rotational motion of the DC motor into controlled reciprocating motion of the piston. This dynamic transformation allows for smoother operation compared to the abrupt on/off cycles of solenoid actuation, reducing vibrations and noise while maintaining pumping efficiency.
2Device complexity
If a solenoid-based pump is used, then the pump structure is simple, but priming problems occur due to air presence
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the solenoid-based pump with a DC motor-driven positive displacement pump that provides more consistent and reliable priming action. The continuous rotational motion of the DC motor drives the cam mechanism to ensure complete piston stroke, which helps eliminate air pockets and maintain reliable priming operation, unlike the intermittent solenoid actuation.
3Manufacturing precision
If a crankshaft transmission arrangement is used to achieve precise piston strokes, then stroke precision is improved, but the structure becomes cumbersome and noisy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential function of the crankshaft transmission (converting rotational motion to reciprocating motion) and implements it through a simpler cam mechanism. The cam mechanism achieves precise piston stroke control through its geometric profile without requiring the complex multi-component crankshaft, connecting rod, and eccentric assembly, thereby reducing structural complexity and noise.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes the crankshaft-based transmission system with a cam-based mechanism. The cam profile is designed to provide the desired piston motion profile directly from the DC motor's rotational output, eliminating the need for complex intermediate transmission components and reducing overall system complexity and noise.
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 solution provides a reliable, compact, and quiet operation with simplified control, reducing the need for costly sensors and effectively addressing priming issues, enabling precise control of pump operations.
Implementation Method 1
an electric motor of the d.c. type, having a rotating shaft
Implementation Method 2
featuring pistons and a cam mechanism for controlled reciprocating movements
Data Source
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AI summary
A machine for preparing liquid food products comprises at least: - a source of a liquid; - a delivery assembly, having a brewing chamber configured for receiving a precursor of a liquid food product and for delivering the food product following upon passage of the liquid through the brewing chamber; - a pump (4), for pumping the liquid from the supply source through the brewing chamber of the delivery assembly and thereby causing delivery of the liquid product; and - a control system, configured for controlling an electric motor (33) of the pump, which has a rotating shaft (33a). The pump (4) has a pump casing with an inlet and an outlet and a pumping arrangement that can be driven via the motor (33). The motor (33) is a bidirectional motor, and the control system comprises means for controlling reversal of the direction of rotation of the motor (33) between a primary direction and a secondary direction. The pump (4) has a priming system comprising a recirculation valve (60-63) and a corresponding actuation arrangement (44, 65, 68). The actuation arrangement (44, 65, 68) is pre- arranged for causing opening of the recirculation valve (60-63) following upon rotation of the motor (33) in the secondary direction.