Cleaning apparatus for a beverage preparation machine
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beverage preparation machines require manual and incomplete cleaning of fluid inlet and outlet processing devices after each use, leading to potential bacterial growth and safety concerns.
Innovation Solution
A cleaning apparatus with a fluid processing device and movable elements that automatically switch between active and inactive positions, allowing for automated cleaning of the fluid processing devices using a cleaning fluid.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual cleaning is performed after each beverage preparation, then cleaning is possible, but cleaning completeness and reliability are insufficient leading to bacterial growth
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid processing device cleans itself by circulating cleaning fluid through its own fluid circuitry. The device uses its built-in pump and fluid pathways to deliver cleaning fluid to all internal surfaces, enabling self-cleaning without external manual intervention and ensuring complete coverage of all contact surfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning process is automatically initiated after each beverage preparation cycle. The control system detects when preparation is complete and automatically starts the cleaning sequence, ensuring that cleaning occurs promptly before bacterial growth can occur, without requiring user initiation.
2Reliability
If automated cleaning is implemented, then cleaning reliability improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid processing device uses its existing fluid circuitry, pump, and control systems for both beverage preparation and cleaning functions. The same fluid pathways that deliver beverage components are used to circulate cleaning fluid, eliminating the need for separate dedicated cleaning hardware and reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning function is merged with the beverage preparation system. The control unit that manages beverage preparation also manages the cleaning sequence, and the fluid pump serves both beverage delivery and cleaning fluid circulation. This integration avoids adding separate automated cleaning mechanisms and reduces structural complexity.
3Reliability
If thorough cleaning is performed, then bacterial growth is reduced, but cleaning time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning fluid circulates continuously through all fluid pathways and contact surfaces without interruption. The pump maintains constant flow through the entire cleaning sequence, ensuring all surfaces are thoroughly exposed to cleaning fluid simultaneously, which achieves complete cleaning in a single continuous operation rather than multiple sequential steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning process is immediately initiated after beverage preparation ends, eliminating any delay that would allow bacterial growth. The automatic triggering ensures cleaning starts at the optimal moment, and the rapid circulation of cleaning fluid quickly eliminates contaminants before they can proliferate.
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
Ensures thorough and efficient cleaning of the fluid processing devices, reducing bacterial growth and ensuring consumer safety by automating the cleaning process.
Implementation Method 1
a pump, for circulating the cleaning fluid through the fluid processing device
Implementation Method 2
a heating element, for heating the cleaning fluid
Data Source
AI summary
A cleaning apparatus for a beverage preparation machine comprises at least one fluid processing device comprising a fluid processing body provided with an outflow portion for the outflow of a cleaning fluid. The fluid processing body comprises at least one of the following means: inlet means for introducing a fluid substance into a container for the preparation of a beverage product by mixing of the fluid substance with an ingredient contained in the container; outlet means for allowing the outflow of the beverage product from the container once the fluid substance is introduced into the container and is mixed with the ingredient. The cleaning apparatus further comprises a cleaning device comprising a cleaning body, which in turn comprises one or more movable elements defining a chamber for housing at least a portion of the fluid processing body, and movement means for moving the one or body are dimensioned and shaped such that, in the active position, the one or more movable elements enclose at least a portion of the fluid processing body in the chamber, such that the cleaning fluid can circulate in a space between the fluid processing body and the one or more movable elements when said cleaning fluid is ejected from the outflow portion of the fluid processing body. In the inactive position the one or more movable elements are moved away from the fluid processing body, such that the fluid processing body and the container can be functionally connected together for the preparation of the beverage product and/or the outflow of the beverage product.