System and method for preparing a liquid product
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for preparing liquid products, such as beverages, lack precise control over the preparation process under varying operating conditions and product specifications, leading to inconsistent product quality and hygiene.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that includes a product preparation assembly with a concentrate holder, a valve member for regulating concentrate flow, and a controller to automatically control the valve member's position, allowing precise adjustment of the ratio of concentrate and liquid flow, combined with a gas injector for mixing and a heater for temperature control, enabling improved product quality and hygiene.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a conventional system without automated valve control is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the manufacturing precision of product composition and hygiene control deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses automated control where the controller automatically adjusts the valve member position based on pre-programmed parameters, eliminating the need for manual intervention and ensuring consistent product composition and hygiene control without requiring complex manual operation procedures
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical valve adjustment with an automated control system that uses a controller to actuate the valve member, substituting mechanical manual operation with an automated control mechanism that improves precision while managing system complexity through integration
2Reliability
If manual valve adjustment is used, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability of product quality under varying conditions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates a controller that automatically controls the valve member position, implying a feedback mechanism that monitors and adjusts the concentrate flow to maintain consistent product quality under varying water flow conditions, eliminating the need for manual adjustment while ensuring reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The valve member is designed to be movable and adjustable, allowing the system to dynamically adapt to varying operating conditions such as changes in water supply flow rate, ensuring consistent product quality without requiring complex manual intervention for each condition change
3Adaptability or versatility
If the valve member has limited position adjustment, then the device complexity is reduced, but the adaptability to different product specifications deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The controller is designed to control the valve member to various positions to provide different ratios of concentrate to water, making the system universal and adaptable to different product specifications and user preferences without requiring multiple specialized valves or complex control mechanisms for each product type
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 provides enhanced control over product properties, allowing for user-adjustable quality and hygiene, with the ability to vary product firmness and temperature, resulting in superior dispensing results.
Implementation Method 1
an eductor; a microfiltration device; a transfer tube connecting an outlet of said eductor with a product inlet of said microfiltration device
Implementation Method 2
a heater for heating water
Implementation Method 3
means for pressurizing water, said means for pressurizing water being configured for detachable connection to the water connection of the disposable assembly for supplying water to the water inlet of the eductor
Implementation Method 4
a microfiltration device
Implementation Method 5
a gas injector for mixing
Data Source
AI summary
A system for preparing a liquid product, for example a beverage. The system comprises a product preparation assembly comprising a concentrate holder for holding product concentrate, a product feedthrough channel, and a concentrate supply channel for feeding a flow of product concentrate from said holder to said product feedthrough channel. The concentrate supply channel is provided with a valve member for regulating the flow of product concentrate, the valve member being movable with respect to the concentrate supply channel between a first position in which the flow of concentrate is blocked and a second position in which the flow of concentrate is enabled. The system comprises a product preparation apparatus configured to cooperate with the product preparation assembly. The apparatus comprises a liquid injector for supplying a flow of liquid into the product feedthrough channel, in particular via the valve member, wherein the liquid injector is configured to engage the valve member for moving the valve member. The apparatus comprises a controller configured for automatically controlling a movement of the valve member along a range of positions via actuation of the liquid injector, said range of positions extending between the first position and the second position.