Milk Line Rinsing Layout for Stable Beverage Machine Outlets
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drinks machines face challenges in automated and program-controlled cleaning of the milk line protruding into the milk storage container, leading to health risks from milk residue accumulation and potential blockages, as well as instability when filling small drinking vessels due to the design of the drip tray.
Innovation Solution
A drinks machine design featuring a central outlet with only two outlet nozzles, where one nozzle is connected to the detergent return line, allowing for automated cleaning of the milk line and improved drip tray stability by using the milk line for both milk and rinsing purposes, and incorporating a fluid suction means with a closure mechanism for efficient rinsing agent circulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple outlet nozzles are provided in the central outlet, then beverage dispensing functionality is improved, but the number of drip tray openings increases causing instability for small drinking vessels
Solution Approach 1:
One of the outlet nozzles is equipped with a multi-functionality that allows it to serve both as a beverage dispensing nozzle and as a rinsing agent discharge point. This enables the system to maintain multiple functions (beverage dispensing and cleaning) without requiring additional separate outlets, thereby avoiding the need for extra drip tray openings that would compromise stability
2Reliability
If the milk line is cleaned manually by disconnecting from the reservoir, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but operational complexity and handling difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables automated cleaning of the milk line by circulating rinsing agent through the milk line while it remains connected to the reservoir. The pump system automatically draws rinsing agent through the milk line and returns it, eliminating the need for manual disconnection and reconnection operations while maintaining thorough cleaning effectiveness
3Reliability
If the fluid suction device is cleaned manually, then cleaning thoroughness is improved, but time consumption and operational effort increase
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid suction device is integrated into the automated rinsing circuit, allowing rinsing agent to be pumped through it and returned automatically. This self-cleaning process eliminates manual cleaning operations while ensuring thorough cleaning of the suction device, reducing both time and operational effort
4Ease of operation
If the milk line remains connected to the reservoir during cleaning, then ease of operation is improved, but risk of detergent contamination of milk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts the rinsing agent circulation path from the milk storage space by using a separate pump system that draws rinsing agent through the milk line and returns it to the central outlet, keeping the rinsing agent separate from the milk reservoir while maintaining connection of the milk line. This allows cleaning without contamination risk
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 automatic cleaning of the flow line system and milk line without manual intervention, while ensuring stability for small drinking vessels during beverage filling by simplifying the central outlet and reducing the number of drip tray openings.
Implementation Method 1
The fluid suction device (4) incorporates a closure element (14) that can be moved back and forth between an open and a closed position
Implementation Method 2
Milk is then drawn from the reservoir, for example, by a pump or using the Venturi principle (generally speaking, a vacuum)
Implementation Method 3
Milk is then drawn from the reservoir, for example, by a pump or using the Venturi principle (generally speaking, a vacuum)
Implementation Method 4
The cleaning agent introduced into the fluid suction device is discharged via a cleaning agent return line
Data Source
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AI summary
A beverage vending machine (1) for the production of infused beverages is presented, comprising a milk storage container (2), at least one milk line (3) projecting into the milk storage container (2) with a fluid suction device (4) at the end of the milk line (3) projecting into the milk storage container (2), a rinsing agent return line (5) also coupled to the fluid suction device (4), and a central outlet (6) with dispensing nozzles (7, 8) for dispensing the beverages produced by the beverage vending machine (1) and their additives into a drinking vessel (9) placed below the central outlet (6) or for dispensing the rinsing agent (11) required for cleaning and/or flushing the flow line system of the beverage vending machine (1) into a vessel or into a drip tray located below the central outlet (6).The invention is characterized in that one of the existing outlet nozzles (7, 8) of the central outlet (6) has a connection (10) to which the detergent return line (5) is connected.