Automatic coffee maker and method of preparing a brewed beverage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beverage brewing systems fail to consistently produce beverages with a desired flavor profile, especially when brewing over ice, as they do not adequately account for dilution and variations in beverage size.
Innovation Solution
An automated beverage brewing system with a user interface and controller that adjusts brewing parameters such as bloom water volume, bloom duration, and total water volume to maintain a consistent flavor profile across different sizes, including compensation for dilution when brewing over ice, ensuring extraction and total dissolved solids fall within optimal ranges.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If brewing parameters are adjusted for different beverage sizes, then flavor consistency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts brewing parameters (bloom water volume, bloom duration, total water volume) based on the selected beverage size. The controller automatically modifies these parameters in real-time according to user selection, enabling the same brewing system to produce consistent flavor profiles across different sizes without manual intervention or complex mechanical adjustments.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes key brewing parameters (water volume, bloom time, extraction time) based on the selected beverage size. By systematically adjusting these parameters, the system maintains optimal extraction and total dissolved solids levels regardless of whether brewing a cup, travel mug, half-carafe, or full carafe, thereby achieving flavor consistency across sizes.
2Productivity
If brewing over ice without dilution compensation, then brewing speed is improved, but flavor quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary compensation for ice dilution by adjusting brewing parameters before the brewing process begins. When iced beverage mode is selected, the controller pre-calculates and applies modified parameters (increased concentration, adjusted water volumes) to counteract the expected dilution from melting ice, ensuring the final beverage achieves the desired flavor profile despite the presence of ice.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies preliminary anti-action by compensating for the harmful effect of ice dilution in advance. The controller detects when iced beverage mode is selected and automatically adjusts brewing parameters to over-extract slightly, creating a concentrated brew that will dilute to the correct strength as the ice melts, thereby preventing flavor degradation.
3Reliability
If extraction and TDS are maintained within optimal ranges, then flavor profile consistency is improved, but adaptability to different beverage types decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adapts brewing parameters based on both beverage size and beverage type (hot or iced). The controller receives user input regarding the desired beverage type and automatically selects appropriate parameter sets that maintain optimal extraction and TDS ranges while accounting for the specific requirements of each beverage type, enabling consistent quality across diverse beverage preparations.
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 consistently produces beverages with a balanced flavor profile, maintaining desired extraction and total dissolved solids levels even when brewed over ice, meeting gold cup standards and providing a pleasant taste across various sizes.
Implementation Method 1
A controller is operably coupled to the user interface and the beverage brewing apparatus. The controller is programmable to compensate for dilution of the brewed beverage in the container. In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments said brewed beverage dispensed from said beverage brewing apparatus includes an adjustment in at least one of % solids extracted and % total dissolved solids
Data Source
AI summary
An automated system for brewing and dispensing a brewed beverage is provided including a beverage brewing apparatus configured to dispense the brewed beverage into a container. A user interface is disposed with said beverage brewing apparatus. The user interface includes at least one iced beverage user input directed to preparation of the brewed beverage when the brewed beverage is to be dispensed over ice. A controller is operably coupled to the user interface and the beverage brewing apparatus. The controller is programmable to compensate for dilution of the brewed beverage in the container.