Modular Beverage Machine with Independent Module Insertion and Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
The development and manufacturing of beverage production machines using modular, portioned ingredients are complex and costly, requiring a rationalization of production and maintenance processes while offering a range of functions and options for consumers.
Innovation Solution
A beverage preparation machine with external housing and movable modules that can be easily inserted and removed, featuring a master and slave module arrangement for coordinated power and ingredient supply, along with connectors for data, fluid, and power transmission, allowing for flexible configuration and easy maintenance without requiring the removal of other modules.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If beverage machines are designed with multiple functions and different beverage delivery capacities, then consumer options and functionality are improved, but development complexity and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The beverage machine is divided into separate functional modules (beverage preparation module, milk module, water tank module) that can be independently developed, manufactured, and assembled. This segmentation allows different teams to work on different functions simultaneously, reducing overall development complexity while maintaining versatile functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The docking station is designed as a universal platform that can accommodate multiple types of beverage preparation modules through standardized connectors and interfaces. This allows a single base unit to support various beverage functions (coffee, tea, hot chocolate) without requiring separate development for each function.
2Adaptability or versatility
If beverage machines are designed with multiple functions and different beverage delivery capacities, then consumer options are improved, but manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the machine into modular components, each module can be manufactured independently using optimized processes for that specific function. This reduces tooling costs and allows for economies of scale in producing individual modules that can be combined in different configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple functional modules are combined within a single docking station housing, allowing consumers to access multiple beverage functions in one device. This consolidates what would otherwise require multiple separate machines, reducing overall manufacturing costs while maintaining versatility.
3Ease of operation
If modules are designed to be easily inserted and removed, then maintenance ease and user convenience are improved, but connection reliability and sealing may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The module insertion mechanism uses a nested design where the module slides into a receptacle with progressive engagement stages. The connector elements are nested within each other, allowing for self-alignment and secure locking as the module is pushed in, ensuring reliable connection while maintaining easy removal through a release mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
Spring-loaded connectors and sealing elements act as intermediaries between the module and docking station. These intermediaries automatically engage and seal when the module is inserted, providing reliable electrical and fluid connections without requiring precise manual alignment, while still allowing easy removal when the release mechanism is activated.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a beverage machine (1) having an external housing (10) and a plurality of movable beverage preparation modules (20, 30) that are configured to process a beverage and/or a beverage ingredient to be dispensed via at least one beverage dispensing outlet (25) to a user-cup or user-mug (2). The housing (10) has a front opening (10′) and forms a cavity (10″) for housing the modules (20, 30). The or each movable module (20, 30) is insertable as a unit into an operative position into the cavity (10″) and removable out of the cavity (10″) via the front opening (10′), such as movable along a substantially horizontal direction into and out of its operative position. The or each movable module (20, 30) is insertable as a unit into the cavity (10″) into its operative position and removable out of the cavity (10″) via the front opening (10′) independently of the presence inside the cavity (10″) of any other movable beverage preparation module (20, 30) in its operative position.