Beverage Brewer Pump Circulation Design for Fast Cold Brewing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cold-brewing systems are time-consuming and require complex setups with potential for bacterial contamination, while dual-use hot-and-cold brewing devices often have large footprints and are difficult to clean.
Innovation Solution
A compact beverage brewer with a pump assembly, intake and outflow tubes, and a brewing material holder that uses fluid circulation to brew beverages efficiently, allowing for both hot and cold brewing with a single container and easy cleaning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If cold brewing is performed by submerging brewing material in unheated water, then beverage flavor quality is improved, but brewing time is significantly extended
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action through automated agitation cycles that periodically stir the brewing material during cold extraction. The agitation mechanism operates in intervals, creating periodic movement that enhances mass transfer between coffee grounds and water, thereby improving extraction efficiency and reducing brewing time while maintaining flavor quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies mechanical vibration through an agitation system that physically disturbs the brewing material during cold extraction. This mechanical action increases surface area exposure and promotes faster dissolution of soluble compounds, effectively reducing the time required for cold brewing while preserving the desired flavor profile.
2Productivity
If a gravity feed percolator system is used to increase fluid flow through brewing material, then brewing time is reduced, but device complexity and footprint are increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the fluid circulation function with the brewing chamber by using the serving container itself as the water reservoir. The pump draws water from the container, passes it through the brewing material, and returns it to the same container, eliminating the need for separate reservoir and dispensing system while maintaining efficient fluid flow through the grounds.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements self-service by using the beverage container as both the water source and the collection vessel. The pump system automatically circulates water through the brewing material and returns it to the container, eliminating the need for manual water addition and separate dispensing mechanisms, thereby simplifying the overall device structure.
3Productivity
If a motorized gravity feed system is used to speed up brewing, then brewing time is reduced, but ease of cleaning is worsened due to complex components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the water reservoir and beverage serving container into a single unit, eliminating multiple components that would require cleaning. The pump system and tubing are minimized and integrated into the container structure, creating a system with fewer crevices and surfaces that need maintenance, thereby improving ease of cleaning while maintaining brewing speed.
4Adaptability or versatility
If separate reservoir and dispensing containers are used, then brewing functionality is improved, but device footprint and portability are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the water reservoir, brewing chamber, and beverage dispensing container into a single integrated unit. The pump system circulates water from the container through the brewing material and returns it to the same container, eliminating the need for separate reservoir and dispensing vessels, thereby reducing device footprint while maintaining full brewing functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The serving container performs multiple functions: it serves as the water reservoir, the brewing vessel receives water and brewing material, and it is also the final dispensing container for the brewed beverage. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate components, reducing the overall device footprint while maintaining versatile brewing capabilities.
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 reduces brewing time, prevents bacterial growth, and maintains beverage freshness by using a compact, portable design that simplifies cleaning and maintains beverage quality.
Implementation Method 1
a pump configured to provide liquid suction at a suction port and corresponding liquid discharge at an outflow port
Implementation Method 2
beverages, such as coffee, tea, yerba mate, and herbal infusions (tisane), are brewed by infusing or steeping ground or shredded beverage material in water or other liquid
Implementation Method 3
infusion of the beverage material in cold or room-temperature water rather than in hot water
Data Source
AI summary
A beverage brewer includes a pump assembly, a pressure chamber, an intake channel, and a brewing material holder assembly. The pump assembly has an inlet port and is configured to provide negative fluid pressure at the inlet port. The pressure chamber is configured to hold liquid and has an intake port, a draw port arranged for fluid communication with the inlet port of the pump assembly, and a drain. The intake channel is arranged for fluid communication with the intake port of the pressure chamber. The brewing material holder assembly is configured to hold ground brewing material and is arranged to receive fluid from the drain. The pump assembly is configured to draw liquid through the intake channel into the pressure chamber such that the drawn liquid issues to the brewing material holder assembly through the drain, thereby brewing a beverage in the brewing material holder assembly.