Beverage extraction unit for selectively providing orifices of different types in a capsule for extraction of the beverage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beverage extraction systems face challenges in efficiently extracting long volumes of coffee due to high pressure requirements and clogging issues, leading to slow flow rates and over-extraction of bitter aromatic notes, while also being limited to short to medium-size coffee volumes with 'crema' production.
Innovation Solution
A beverage extraction unit with a movable piercing member that provides two modes of extraction: high pressure through relief elements and lower pressure through piercing elements, allowing for adjustable orifice sizes and flow rates, enabling extraction of various coffee volumes and aromatic profiles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If high pressure extraction is used to extract coffee from capsule, then extraction speed and efficiency are improved, but beverage flow rate decreases and over-extraction of bitter aromatic notes occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The extraction plate provides two different extraction geometries that can be dynamically selected: a first geometry with relief elements for high pressure extraction (fast extraction speed) and a second geometry with flow channels for lower pressure extraction (higher flow rate). This allows the system to adapt between extraction modes to avoid over-extraction of bitter notes while maintaining efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the extraction parameters by switching between two distinct geometries: one optimized for high pressure with small orifices (relief elements) and another for lower pressure with larger flow channels. This parameter change enables control over both extraction speed and flow rate to prevent bitter over-extraction
2Reliability
If relief elements are used to create orifices in outlet membrane, then filtering of beverage particles is improved, but pressure drop increases and flow rate decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between two extraction geometries: the first geometry uses relief elements for filtering (high reliability) when filtration is prioritized, and the second geometry uses flow channels for higher flow rate when productivity is prioritized. This allows optimization based on beverage type and extraction requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The extraction plate integrates two functions into a single component: filtering through relief elements and high-flow extraction through flow channels. This multi-functional design allows the same device to serve both filtration needs and high-volume extraction needs without requiring separate systems
3Device complexity
If single geometry extraction plate is used, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to different beverage volumes and extraction modes is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The extraction plate is segmented into two distinct geometries: a first geometry with relief elements for high pressure extraction and a second geometry with flow channels for lower pressure extraction. This segmentation allows the single component to provide multiple extraction modes, enhancing adaptability while maintaining relative structural simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The extraction plate is designed as a universal component that performs multiple extraction functions through its two geometries. It can handle both high-pressure short-volume extractions and lower-pressure long-volume extractions, making the device versatile for different beverage types without requiring multiple separate extraction plates
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 solution allows for efficient extraction of both short and long coffee volumes with adjustable pressure and flow rates, reducing bitterness and 'crema' production, enabling a broader range of beverage preparation from a single capsule.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of piercing elements configured for providing orifices of a second type in the beverage outlet membrane
Implementation Method 2
the outlet membrane pressed onto the relief elements under pressure of water supplied in the extraction chamber
Implementation Method 3
the pressure drop is relatively high at this interface... permit the flow of the liquid after extraction
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The invention relates to beverage extraction unit (1) for extracting a beverage from an exchangeable capsule (2) containing beverage ingredients and being configured for operating according to two beverage extraction modes, e.g. at respectively high pressure or low pressure. The invention also relates to the beverage machine comprising the extraction unit.