Single-Pump Eductor Beverage Dispensing for Flavor and Low Noise
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional beverage dispensing machines often fail to meet consumer expectations for flavor and aroma characteristics due to the degradation of flavor- and aroma-generating compounds in beverage precursors, and are typically energy inefficient, difficult to refill, and noisy, requiring separate pumps for precursors and enhancing components.
Innovation Solution
A beverage dispensing machine that combines a beverage precursor and a beverage enhancing component using a single pump and eductor, ensuring efficient delivery and superior flavor and aroma characteristics, while being lighter, easier to refill, and quieter.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If separate pumps are used for beverage precursor and beverage enhancing component, then delivery capability is improved, but device complexity and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the delivery functions for beverage precursor and beverage enhancing component into a single pump system. The pump delivers beverage precursor through a first conduit while simultaneously or sequentially delivering beverage enhancing component through a second conduit, eliminating the need for separate pumps and reducing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
A single pump is designed to perform multiple functions: delivering beverage precursor, delivering beverage enhancing component, and controlling the timing and dosage of each substance. This multi-functional approach maintains delivery capability while reducing the number of components required.
2Manufacturing precision
If separate pumps are used for beverage precursor and beverage enhancing component, then delivery precision is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The single pump system consolidates energy consumption from multiple pumps into one energy-efficient unit. The pump alternates between delivering beverage precursor and beverage enhancing component, maintaining precise delivery control while reducing total energy consumption compared to operating multiple pumps simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The pump operates in periodic cycles, alternating between delivering beverage precursor and beverage enhancing component. This periodic operation allows the single pump to maintain precise delivery precision for both substances while consuming less energy than continuous operation of multiple pumps.
3Reliability
If multiple pumps are used for beverage precursor and beverage enhancing component, then delivery reliability is improved, but noise level increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple pump operations into a single pump system, significantly reducing noise levels. The single pump alternates between delivering beverage precursor and beverage enhancing component, maintaining reliable delivery while operating quietly compared to multiple simultaneous pumps.
Solution Approach 2:
The single pump uses periodic action to alternate between delivering different substances, ensuring reliable delivery of both beverage precursor and beverage enhancing component while minimizing noise generation compared to continuous operation of multiple pumps.
4Manufacturing precision
If beverage enhancing component is added post-dose, then flavor and aroma characteristics are improved, but refilling difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the beverage enhancing component into separate containers (first container and second container) that can be independently refilled. This segmentation allows maintenance of precise post-dose flavor and aroma characteristics while enabling easier refilling of individual containers rather than the entire system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediary storage containers for the beverage enhancing component that act as mediators between the pump system and the final beverage. These containers can be easily removed, refilled, and reattached, maintaining flavor precision while simplifying the refilling operation.
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 machine produces beverages with enhanced flavor and aroma, is more energy efficient, easier to refill, and quieter compared to conventional systems, achieving superior performance with a single pump and eductor system.
Implementation Method 1
an eductor in fluid communication with the single pump, the first container and the first conduit, wherein the eductor delivers the beverage enhancing component from the first container to the first conduit
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is directed to a dispensing machine and method for making a beverage. The dispensing machine of this invention has a delivery means which can deliver beverage precursor and beverage enhancing component with a single pump and an eductor. The method results in a beverage, such as a tea-based beverage, that has superior quality, and the dispensing machine is quieter and more energy efficient than standard beverage dispensing machines.