Modular Beverage Machine Assembly With Rigid Connector Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beverage preparation machines have complex manufacturing processes requiring significant manual intervention, leading to increased costs and lack of integration, resulting in voluminous constructions.
Innovation Solution
A manufacturing process that pre-assembles components into modular units for fully automatic assembly, reducing manual intervention by using rigid connectors and eliminating flexible non-resilient cables and tubes, allowing for automated assembly and simplified maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If traditional beverage preparation machines are assembled using flexible non-resilient cables and tubes with manual intervention, then assembly flexibility is maintained, but manufacturing complexity increases and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The machine is divided into modular functional units (brewing unit, heating unit, control unit) that can be pre-assembled and tested separately, then integrated into the final product. This segmentation enables parallel manufacturing processes and simplifies quality control while maintaining automation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from using flexible non-resilient cables and tubes to rigid connectors with resilient seals. This parameter change in connection type enables automated assembly processes while maintaining reliable fluid and electrical connections, thereby improving both ease of manufacture and productivity.
2Device complexity
If traditional beverage preparation machines use multiple separate components connected by flexible cables and tubes, then component adaptability is maintained, but device complexity increases and volume increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple functional components are merged into integrated assemblies. For example, the brewing unit combines the brewing chamber, capsule holder, and associated fluid connections into a single modular unit. The heating unit integrates the heater, temperature control, and fluid pathways. This merging reduces the number of separate components and connections while maintaining adaptability through standardized interfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs universal connectors and standardized interfaces that can accommodate different functional units. The resilient seals and rigid connectors are designed to work across multiple connection types, enabling the same connection methodology to serve both fluid pathways and electrical connections, thereby reducing complexity while preserving versatility.
3Reliability
If flexible non-resilient cables and tubes are used for connections, then assembly flexibility is maintained, but reliability decreases due to potential disconnection and human error
Solution Approach 1:
The connection type is changed from flexible non-resilient cables and tubes to rigid connectors with resilient seals. This parameter change eliminates the issues of cable fatigue, disconnection, and misalignment while maintaining assembly flexibility through the resilient nature of the seals that accommodate minor positioning variations.
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient seals are designed to self-adjust and self-seal when connectors are mated, eliminating the need for precise manual alignment and providing automatic connection verification. This self-service characteristic enhances reliability by ensuring proper sealing without requiring operator skill or attention, while still allowing easy assembly.
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 approach simplifies the assembly process, reduces costs, enhances reliability, and minimizes human error, while also reducing the size and complexity of the machine.
Implementation Method 1
The heating element incorporates a thick-film resistive heating circuit
Implementation Method 2
a triac-type power regulator mounted directly on the heating element that acts as a heat sinker for this triac
Implementation Method 3
an inline thermoblock heater having a metal mass with a resistive heating cable cast in the mass and with a duct for the circulation of water to be heated
Data Source
AI summary
A process for manufacturing a beverage preparation machine by providing a group of interconnected components which include a brewing unit for receiving a beverage ingredient beverage and a liquid; an in-line heater for the liquid; a pump; one or more fluid connecting members; an electric control unit for receiving instructions from a user via an interface and for controlling the heater and pump; and one or more electric sensors for sensing at least one operational characteristic of the brewing unit, the heater, the pump, a liquid reservoir, an ingredient collector, a flow of the liquid, a pressure of the liquid and a temperature of the liquid and for communicating the characteristic(s) to the control unit. At least two or three modules, each containing at least two components, are preassembled such that the components are automatically seizable, orientable, positionable and fully connectable to each other.