Beverage brewer for variable sized dispensers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Commercial, electrical, drip-type beverage brewers with multiple dispenser stations require manual input of brew cycle parameters, which can lead to the selection of inappropriate settings for the wrong dispenser position, lacking prevention for unsuitable parameter selection.

Innovation Solution

A beverage brewer with a rotatably mounted brew basket and position-sensing mechanism that automatically enables only preselected functions based on the basket's position, using magnetic switches and a touch screen to display and control brewing parameters, ensuring appropriate settings are chosen for each dispenser position.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If manual input of brew cycle parameters is required for multiple dispenser stations, then the brewer can accommodate different dispenser positions, but the risk of selecting inappropriate settings increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccommodation of different dispenser positionsVSAvoidcorrectness of parameter selection

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The brew basket automatically identifies its own position through magnetic switches and self-configures the appropriate brew cycle parameters without user intervention. The system serves itself by detecting which dispenser station is active and automatically selecting the correct brewing settings for that station.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Magnetic switches provide feedback about the brew basket's angular position to the control system. This feedback mechanism allows the system to know which dispenser station is currently active and automatically adjust parameters accordingly, preventing incorrect settings from being applied.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Ease of operation

If multiple brew cycle parameters are manually selectable, then flexibility is provided, but user error in parameter selection increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflexibility in brew cycle selectionVSAvoiduser error

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically selects and applies the appropriate brew cycle parameters based on the detected dispenser station, eliminating the need for manual parameter selection by the user. This self-service approach maintains flexibility while preventing user error.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The magnetic switch system acts as an intermediary between the physical position of the brew basket and the control logic. This intermediary automatically translates physical position into appropriate parameter selection, removing the decision-making burden from the user and preventing erroneous selections.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Device complexity

If a single brew basket serves multiple positions, then device complexity is reduced, but the need for precise position detection increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of brew basketsVSAvoidbrew basket position detection

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical position detection mechanisms with a simpler magnetic field-based detection system. Magnetic switches detect the position of magnets attached to the brew basket, providing reliable position information without requiring complex mechanical encoders or sensors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the detection parameter from mechanical position encoding to magnetic field presence/absence. By attaching magnets to the brew basket and using magnetic switches in the housing, the system detects position through magnetic field changes rather than mechanical means, simplifying the detection mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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

Automatically selects and enables brewing functions suitable for the specific dispenser position, preventing inappropriate settings and enhancing user convenience by ensuring correct brewing parameters are applied.

Implementation Method 1

means for sensing in which one of the at least two different angular positions is the brew basket

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic field sensing: Magnetic Field

Data Source

PatentUS10334982B1Beverage brewer for variable sized dispensers

Publication Date: 2019.07.02 FOOD EQUIP TECH CO INC

AI summary

Beverage brewer (10) with a control system (FIGS. 5, 6) has a brew basket (22) with a central axis (38), a bottom with an offset drain hole (41) radially, outwardly spaced from the central axis (38) for passing the hot beverage or beverage concentrate to a container (34, 36) and a position detectable element(52). A circular collar (24) mounts the brew basket (22) to the housing (12, 18) in at least two different angular positions (FIG. 3) in which the drain hole (41) is respectively located in at least two different positions outwardly spaced from the central axis (38) to pass brewed beverage to the container (34, 36) when in two different positions (FIG. 1). A sensor (56) detects the angular positions of the brew basket (22, and a controller (66, FIG. 6) responds to the sensor (56) to enable only preselected functions of associated with the sensed angular position.