Vehicle Hot Drink Brewer With Automatic Portion-Container Feed
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for preparing hot beverages in vehicles require numerous manual operating steps, making it difficult for drivers to prepare a hot drink while driving without being distracted from traffic.
Innovation Solution
A device with a brewing chamber, storage container, and conveyor system that automatically conveys portion containers into the brewing chamber, along with a container fixing device for the drinking container, simplifying the preparation process by reducing the need for manual reloading and providing automatic control for convenient operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a manual slide element is used to insert and eject portion containers, then the device structure is simple, but the driver must perform multiple manual operating steps which causes distraction from traffic
Solution Approach 1:
The storage container is pre-filled with multiple portion containers before the vehicle journey. The conveyor device is pre-configured to automatically transport portion containers from the storage container to the brewing chamber, eliminating the need for manual insertion during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The device performs self-service through the automatic conveyor mechanism that transports portion containers without human intervention. The system serves itself by automatically moving the next portion container into position after each brewing cycle, reducing driver involvement to minimal actions.
2Productivity
If manual reloading of portion containers is required for each beverage, then the device structure is simple, but the preparation time and driver distraction increase
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyor device enables continuous operation by automatically transporting portion containers from the storage container to the brewing chamber without interruption. While one portion is being brewed, the conveyor simultaneously prepares the next portion container for insertion, maintaining continuous productive action.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple portion containers are loaded into the storage container in advance, and the conveyor device is pre-positioned to automatically feed them into the brewing chamber sequence by sequence, eliminating repeated manual reloading operations during the beverage preparation process.
3Reliability
If multiple manual operating steps are required, then the device is simpler, but the driver safety is compromised due to distraction
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyor device and storage container system perform self-service by automatically managing portion container supply. The driver's role is reduced to initiating the brewing process and collecting the beverage, with the system handling all intermediate steps autonomously, thereby maintaining driving safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The complex manual operations of inserting, positioning, and ejecting portion containers are extracted from the driver's tasks and transferred to the automated conveyor device. This separation removes distracting operations from the driver's workflow while maintaining operational simplicity through automation.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a device for preparing a hot drink, in particular for a vehicle, with a brewing chamber (17) in which a portion container (19) can be arranged, the portion container (19) holding at least one portion of a substance to be extracted, in particular a beverage powder, having. According to the invention, at least one storage container (31; 57) is provided, which can be filled with several portion containers (19). A conveying device (43) is also provided, by means of which the plurality of portion containers (19) arranged in the storage container (31; 57) can be conveyed one after the other into the brewing chamber (17).