System comprising a dispenser, a cartridge holder and a cartridge
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beverage dispensers with cartridge systems face challenges in ensuring leak-free operation, preventing back contamination, and controlling foam formation during drink production.
Innovation Solution
The system incorporates a cartridge holder with guidance and twist protection features, a recess for partial absorption of the cartridge, and a liquid connection with a cooling unit for controlled beverage production. Additionally, a cartridge recording with a thorn mechanism for membrane piercing and side channels for controlled substrate flow is used.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the cartridge is securely held in the dispenser to prevent leakage and recontamination, then beverage production reliability is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional guide and anti-twist mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The cartridge holder's recess is designed to automatically guide and position the cartridge during insertion, without requiring additional active control mechanisms. The form-fitting interaction between the recess and cartridge receptacle self-aligns the cartridge, preventing twisting and ensuring correct orientation through passive geometric constraints rather than active mechanical devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The cartridge receptacle includes a flexible membrane that seals the beverage substrate in the cartridge. This membrane allows for controlled piercing to transfer the substrate while maintaining sealing integrity throughout the storage and insertion process, preventing leakage and recontamination through a simple yet effective flexible barrier rather than complex valve mechanisms.
2Manufacturing precision
If a form-fitting recess is used to support and guide the cartridge, then cartridge positioning precision is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cartridge holder is divided into distinct functional elements: a recess for positioning, a guide for alignment, and an anti-twist mechanism. Each segment performs a specific function, allowing for modular manufacturing and assembly. The recess and guide can be formed as separate features in the holder structure, simplifying the manufacturing process while achieving precise cartridge positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The recess and cartridge receptacle are designed with asymmetric form-fitting features that provide precise positioning in multiple directions. The anti-twist mechanism uses asymmetric geometric constraints that naturally prevent rotational misalignment. These asymmetric features are integrated into the basic structure of the holder and receptacle, achieving high positioning precision through design geometry rather than additional precision manufacturing processes.
3Productivity
If compressed air is introduced into the cartridge cavity to transfer substrate, then substrate transfer speed is improved, but risk of back contamination increases
Solution Approach 1:
The piercing means acts as an intermediary element between the compressed air source and the cartridge cavity. It provides a controlled pathway for air introduction that maintains pressure differential in the correct direction, ensuring air flows into the cavity to propel the substrate outward while preventing reverse flow that could cause back contamination. The membrane seal works with this intermediary mechanism to maintain unidirectional flow.
Solution Approach 2:
Compressed air is introduced into the cartridge cavity through controlled pneumatic pathways to create pressure differential that drives the substrate transfer. The system uses pneumatic pressure to accelerate the substrate from the cartridge through the piercing means into the dispensing system. Properly designed pneumatic channels ensure pressure is applied in the correct direction and maintained throughout the transfer process, improving substrate transfer speed while preventing backflow through pressure management rather than mechanical barriers alone.
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 ensures leak-free and contamination-free beverage production, offers high ease of use, and allows for controlled foam formation, while also being cost-effective and compatible with existing refrigeration systems.
Implementation Method 1
The liquid connection can be fed with fluid cooled by a cooling unit, wherein the cooling unit is part of the dispenser or a separate refrigerator operatively connected to the dispenser
Implementation Method 2
The liquid connection can be supplied with fluid, which is carbonated by a carbonator
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The invention relates to a system comprising a dispenser, a cartridge holder and a cartridge, wherein the dispenser has a cartridge holder which has at least one guide and/or anti-rotation device for the cartridge and/or the cartridge holder, wherein the cartridge holder has a recess which at least partially receives the cartridge and/or the cartridge holder, wherein the cartridge holder has an inlet for a diluent, a mixing chamber in which the diluent and a beverage and/or food substrate are mixed, and an outlet, wherein the cartridge is sealed by means of a membrane and the cartridge holder has a piercing means for perforating the membrane, wherein the piercing means is provided in line with the inlet and the outlet.