Pumping system and method
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beverage preparation systems face challenges in pumping preheated liquids efficiently due to cavitation issues, leading to decreased performance and requiring additional space and cost with dual pumps and motors, making them unsuitable for mobility or on-the-go applications.
Innovation Solution
A pumping system utilizing a single motor to drive both a hot water pump and an air pump, with a free wheel unit to engage or disengage the pumps based on motor direction, ensuring the reservoir is pressurized to prevent cavitation, allowing efficient pumping of hot liquids without significant performance loss and reducing system size and cost.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single motor drives both the water pump and air pump, then device complexity and cost are reduced, but it becomes difficult to independently control the timing and operation of each pump
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines two separate motors into a single motor that drives both the water pump and air pump. This merging reduces device complexity and cost while maintaining the functional independence of each pump through mechanical engagement mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamic engagement mechanisms (such as centrifugal clutches or electromechanical engagement devices) that allow the single motor to selectively engage or disengage the water pump and air pump based on operational requirements. This dynamic control enables independent operation timing while using a shared motor.
2Device complexity
If preheated liquid is pumped without pressurization, then the system is simpler, but cavitation occurs at the pump entrance leading to decreased pumping performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary pressurization to the liquid in the reservoir before the liquid enters the water pump. This pre-pressurization prevents cavitation at the pump entrance by ensuring the liquid remains in liquid phase under reduced pressure conditions, thereby maintaining reliable pumping performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses pneumatic pressurization (introducing air or gas into the reservoir) to increase the pressure of the preheated liquid before it enters the water pump. This pneumatic approach effectively prevents cavitation without requiring complex mechanical pressurization systems.
3Productivity
If hot water is pumped from a preheated reservoir, then beverage production is faster and the device is more compact, but cavitation occurs due to evaporated liquid at lowered pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary pressurization of the hot water in the reservoir before pumping. This advance action prevents cavitation during the pumping process by maintaining liquid phase stability, enabling fast beverage production without the harmful effects of cavitation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the pressure parameter of the hot water by introducing air or gas into the reservoir to increase pressure. This parameter change prevents the liquid from evaporating at low pressure during pumping, thereby eliminating cavitation while maintaining high productivity.
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 system effectively prevents cavitation, maintains pumping performance at high temperatures, and reduces system size and cost, enabling faster and more efficient beverage production in compact, cost-effective mobile devices.
Implementation Method 1
the suction pressure generated by the pump can lead to the phenomenon of cavitation at the pump entrance. The phenomenon of cavitation occurs due to the pumped liquid evaporating at the lowered pressure
Implementation Method 2
engaging means configured to engage or disengage the pumping means as a function of the direction of rotation of the motor. Preferably, the engaging means is a free wheel unit arranged in the pumping means
Data Source
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AI summary
Pumping system (100) for a beverage preparation device comprising a reservoir (10) for storing a liquid; pumping means (30) for pumping the liquid from the reservoir (10) to a beverage preparation means (50) of the beverage preparation device; and pressurizing means (20) for injecting air in the system (100); wherein the pumping system (100) further comprises one motor (40) driving both the pumping means (30) and the pressurizing means (20); the system further comprising engaging means (60) configured to engage or disengage the pumping means (30) as a function of the direction of rotation of the motor (40). The invention further refers to a pumping method for use in a beverage preparation device.