Single-Motor Brewing Unit for Automated Beverage Preparation Machines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing semi-automatic and automatic beverage preparation machines are expensive and complex due to the need for multiple motors to actuate movable parts, leading to high electricity consumption and ecological concerns.
Innovation Solution
A brewing unit with a single motor and a screw shaft arrangement that uses a screw nut and peristaltic fluid valve to automate the opening and closing of the brewing cavity, allowing fluid selection between hot and cold water sources, with a preselector mechanism and encoder wheel for precise position control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If multiple motors are used to actuate movable parts in semi-automatic or automatic beverage machines, then automation and user-friendliness are improved, but device complexity and electricity consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple motor functions into a single motor by integrating the cavity opening/closing mechanism with the fluid selection mechanism. The single motor actuates both the movable cavity part and the peristaltic valve through a shared drive system, eliminating the need for separate motors while maintaining full automation of beverage preparation functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The single motor in the invention serves multiple functions: it opens and closes the brewing cavity, selects between hot and cold water sources through the peristaltic valve, and controls fluid flow to the injection means. This multi-functional design replaces what would traditionally require multiple dedicated motors, reducing complexity while preserving automation benefits.
2Extent of automation
If multiple motors are used to actuate movable parts in semi-automatic or automatic beverage machines, then automation is improved, but electricity consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the actuation of multiple components into a single motor system. The motor simultaneously controls the movable cavity part position and the peristaltic valve state, reducing the total number of motors from multiple to one, thereby directly decreasing electricity consumption while maintaining full automation of the beverage preparation process.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses a single motor to automatically perform multiple functions without requiring additional power sources. The integrated mechanism allows the motor to self-coordinate the opening/closing of the cavity and the selection of fluid sources through mechanical coupling, eliminating the need for separate powered actuators and reducing overall energy consumption.
3Device complexity
If manual actuation of movable parts is used, then device complexity is reduced, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines manual actuation simplicity with automated functionality by using a single motor to control multiple functions. The unified drive system reduces mechanical complexity compared to multiple motors while providing automated operation that enhances user-friendliness, as users only need to initiate the process rather than manually operate multiple components.
Solution Approach 2:
The single motor performs multiple functions including cavity operation and fluid selection, creating a universal actuation system that is simpler than multiple dedicated motors. This multi-functional approach maintains ease of operation through automation while reducing device complexity by eliminating the need for multiple separate motor assemblies and their associated controls.
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 solution reduces the number of motors required, decreases electricity consumption, and enhances user-friendliness while maintaining efficient beverage preparation, addressing the ecological and cost issues of existing machines.
Implementation Method 1
a screw nut movable in rotation along a thread path of the screw shaft in a translation shaft arrangement, said screw nut being mechanically linked to the motor output shaft such that when said nut is rotated by the motor, it imparts a translation movement to said screw shaft and movable cavity part
Implementation Method 2
a peristaltic fluid valve for conducting or blocking one or another fluid from the machine towards said injection means through two flexible pipes corresponding to each of the two fluid sources, said peristaltic valve comprising two modules, each of which is adapted around a flexible pipe and comprises a mobile jaw for pinching the corresponding pipe
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention concerns a brewing unit (5) for a beverage preparation machine (1), having several automated functionalities actuated by one single motor (16). The invention also concerns a beverage preparation machine comprising such an automated brewing unit.