Apparatus for making a beverage, capsule for making a beverage and combination of an apparatus and at least two different capsules for making beverages
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current beverage-making apparatuses are unable to produce high-quality espresso and black coffee simultaneously, as they often clog due to wet coffee powder compacting, leading to the delivery of plain hot water instead of coffee.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus with a selective control unit and dual capsules designed for espresso and black coffee, utilizing different temperature settings, infusion times, and pressure modes to prevent clogging and ensure optimal beverage production.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single apparatus is used to make both espresso coffee and black coffee, then the apparatus must be versatile, but it cannot produce high-quality beverages of both types simultaneously due to conflicting extraction requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into separate functional modules: a pump unit for water delivery, a heating unit for temperature control, and a control unit that manages different beverage protocols. This segmentation allows each module to be optimized for different beverage types without compromising overall system versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The apparatus employs dynamic control of extraction parameters including variable pump flow rates, adjustable heating power, and programmable infusion profiles. The control unit dynamically adjusts pressure, temperature, and flow rate based on the selected beverage type, enabling high-quality espresso and black coffee from the same apparatus.
2Reliability
If high pressure is used for espresso extraction, then espresso quality is improved, but the apparatus clogs when attempting black coffee extraction due to wet coffee powder compacting
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit dynamically changes extraction parameters based on beverage type: for espresso, it applies high pressure (up to 12 bar) with short infusion time; for black coffee, it reduces pressure and extends infusion time. This parameter adaptation prevents clogging during black coffee extraction while maintaining espresso quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The extraction process uses periodic action with distinct phases: a pre-infusion phase at low pressure to wet the coffee grounds, followed by the main extraction phase at higher pressure. This periodic approach prevents compacting and clogging while ensuring complete extraction.
3Device complexity
If the apparatus uses a single water delivery system, then the structure is simple, but it cannot deliver appropriate flow rates and pressures for both espresso and black coffee simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
The water delivery system incorporates a dynamically controllable pump with variable speed capability. The control unit adjusts pump rotation speed and flow rate based on the selected beverage type, delivering precise flow rates for both espresso (high pressure, low flow) and black coffee (low pressure, high flow) without requiring multiple separate delivery systems.
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 apparatus and capsules enable the production of high-quality espresso and black coffee by preventing clogging and ensuring consistent coffee delivery, addressing the limitations of existing technologies.
Implementation Method 1
a pump (16) which delivers water to be supplied to the extraction chamber (6) under control of a flow rate and of a pressure
Implementation Method 2
a heating unit (17) for heating the water to be supplied to the extraction chamber (6)
Implementation Method 3
traditional extraction of black coffee, and of filter coffee, should take place by simple percolation of the hot water through the coffee powder simply under the effect of gravity
Implementation Method 4
Both comprise suitable piercing or cutting elements for making in the capsule (3, 4) passages suitable for allowing water infeed and beverage outfeed
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for making a beverage using a capsule (3), (4), wherein, respectively for a first and a second type of beverage selectable, first data and second data are saved which comprise a first and a second supplying start temperature value, a first and a second steady-state supplying temperature value, a first and a second total supplying time and a first and a second activation mode for the pump (16), and wherein an electronic control unit (19) is programmed to cause the supplying respectively of the first and second type of beverage using the first data and the second data for controlling a pump (16) and a boiler (17); wherein the first total supplying time comprises a pre-infusion time, a wait time and an infusion time; and wherein the first activation mode comprises an electricity supply to the pump (16) with an average power that is greater than that in the second activation mode. A capsule is also claimed, which is usable with the apparatus and the system which comprises the apparatus and two different capsules for making two different beverages.