Automatic pour over coffee maker
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional drip coffee makers suffer from temperature fluctuations, inefficient energy use, and inconsistent brewing due to bottom-mounted heating systems, resulting in poorly extracted and less flavorful coffee, especially in the first few cups.
Innovation Solution
A coffee maker design with a water tank and heating system positioned on top to minimize energy loss, featuring a pour-over system and a valve mechanism that ensures optimal water temperature distribution by controlling the flow between hot and cold water chambers, and a filter basket, allowing for even water distribution and consistent brewing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the heating system is positioned at the bottom of the machine and heats water via pipes and tubes, then the heating function is provided, but significant energy loss occurs during the process
Solution Approach 1:
The heating system is extracted from the bottom position and relocated to the top of the machine, directly above the filter basket. This eliminates the need for complex piping and tubing to transport hot water from bottom to top, thereby reducing energy loss during water transport while maintaining the heating function.
Solution Approach 2:
The conventional bottom-mounted heating system is inverted to a top-mounted position. Instead of heating water at the bottom and pumping it upward through pipes, the heater now sits at the top and allows hot water to flow downward through the coffee grounds by gravity, eliminating the need for pumps and reducing energy loss.
2Temperature
If a small amount of cold water is withdrawn from the water tank and heated up by the heater, then the heating function is provided, but the output temperature is uncontrollable and coffee temperature is too low especially in the first few cups
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-heats a larger volume of water in the hot water chamber before brewing begins. This preliminary heating action ensures that sufficient hot water is available at the correct temperature from the first cup, eliminating the temperature control issues and low coffee temperature problems experienced with small amounts of water being heated on demand.
Solution Approach 2:
A thermal jug or carafe acts as an intermediary between the hot water chamber and the coffee grounds. The hot water is first dispensed into this insulated container, which maintains the temperature, and then coffee is brewed. This intermediary step ensures consistent temperature control and prevents the coffee from cooling down during the brewing process.
3Productivity
If intermittent flow of hot water is used through the coffee grounds, then the brewing process is simplified, but water distribution on coffee grounds is uneven and extraction is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses a rotating spout that dynamically moves around the filter basket during the brewing process. This rotation creates a dynamic water distribution pattern that continuously changes the flow direction and coverage area, ensuring even water distribution across all coffee grounds while maintaining efficient brewing throughput.
Solution Approach 2:
The hot water flow is delivered in periodic pulses rather than continuous flow. The rotating spout delivers water in controlled intervals as it rotates around the filter basket, creating a periodic action that ensures thorough and uniform wetting of the coffee grounds while maintaining brewing efficiency.
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 design achieves consistent optimal brewing temperatures between 92° C to 96° C, reducing energy loss and improving the flavor and aroma of coffee by ensuring even water distribution and minimizing calcification, thus producing better-tasting beverages.
Implementation Method 1
a heating system positioned on top to minimize energy loss
Implementation Method 2
a valve will open to dispense the hot/warm water into an underlying filter basket by gravity
Implementation Method 3
a pour-over system that provides even water distribution on the coffee grounds
Data Source
AI summary
This invention provides a coffee maker having a top housing (2) connected to a bottom housing (3) via a plurality of connecting elements (4) such that the top housing is enacted above the bottom housing; a water tank (1) positioned on top of the top housing; a carafe (5) to be placed under the top housing, the carafe has an upper part having a brewing cone (51); and a rotating spout (6) located at the bottom of said top housing and above the carafe for pouring hot water into the carafe.