Beverage-manufacturing device

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing beverage production systems struggle to produce beverages that match individual user preferences, particularly for high-palatability coffee beverages, as they lack the ability to customize taste and aroma effectively.

Innovation Solution

A beverage producing apparatus that includes a bean processing unit, an extracting unit, and a control apparatus with sensors and actuators, allowing for precise control over coffee bean grinding, extraction conditions, and brewing parameters to customize the taste of each beverage based on user input.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If beverage production is automated for mass production, then productivity increases, but the ability to customize taste and aroma for individual users deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemass production capabilityVSAvoidtaste customization capability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The beverage producing apparatus dynamically adjusts brewing parameters (water temperature, extraction pressure, brewing time, coffee dosage) based on user input preferences. The control apparatus modifies these parameters in real-time to customize each beverage while maintaining automated production efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes multiple brewing parameters simultaneously to achieve taste customization. By varying water temperature, extraction pressure, brewing time, and coffee dosage according to user preferences, the apparatus produces customized beverages without sacrificing production automation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple brewing parameters are controlled to customize taste, then adaptability improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetaste customization capabilityVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control apparatus serves multiple functions: it receives user input, processes preference data, controls multiple brewing parameters (temperature, pressure, time, dosage), and coordinates the operation of various brewing components. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate control systems for each parameter.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The apparatus incorporates sensors that detect brewing conditions and provide feedback to the control apparatus. This feedback mechanism enables automatic adjustment of brewing parameters to achieve desired taste outcomes, reducing the complexity of manual control while maintaining customization capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Manufacturing precision

If precise control over brewing parameters is implemented, then manufacturing precision improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebrewing parameter control precisionVSAvoidcontrol mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical control systems with electronic control and sensing mechanisms. The control apparatus uses electronic sensors and actuators to precisely control brewing parameters, achieving high manufacturing precision while reducing mechanical complexity compared to traditional manual or mechanically-controlled brewing systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

Enables the production of beverages tailored to user preferences by controlling variables such as coffee bean grinding, extraction pressure, and brewing temperature, resulting in consistent and customizable coffee beverages.

Implementation Method 1

an extracting unit, and a control apparatus... extraction pressure... extraction conditions

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectExtraction:

Implementation Method 2

bean processing unit... coffee bean grinding

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGrinding:

Implementation Method 3

brewing temperature... brewing parameters

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Data Source

PatentEP3666132B1Beverage-manufacturing device
Publication Date: 2023.06.07 DAITO GIKEN INC
  • EP3666132B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3666132B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3666132B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A beverage producing apparatus configured to produce a beverage using an extraction target as a raw material, includes: a housing configured to form an exterior of the beverage producing apparatus; a control unit configured to control each producing operation of the beverage producing apparatus; and an operation unit configured to accept an operation of an operator. The housing includes a transmissive portion configured to make an interior of the housing visible from an outside. The control unit can control each producing operation in an automatic mode or a manual mode. In the automatic mode, each producing operation is automatically controlled in accordance with a condition set in advance. In the manual mode, each producing operation is controlled in accordance with an operation for the operation unit.