Beverage Machine Brew Parameter Adjustment for Unidentified Capsules

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Solution Overview

Problem

Beverage forming systems face challenges in automatically adjusting brew parameters when a capsule's characteristics cannot be identified, leading to potential brewing issues such as incorrect temperature or flow rates, especially when handling different types of capsules for hot and cold beverages.

Innovation Solution

A control circuit that automatically adjusts brew parameters, such as temperature and flow rate, based on the absence or unreadable characteristics of a capsule, ensuring safe and appropriate conditions for brewing by setting default or adjusted parameters, and preventing user override in certain situations to prevent brewing problems.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the control circuit uses default brew parameters when capsule characteristics cannot be identified, then the system can operate with unknown capsules, but the brewing precision and reliability deteriorate due to incorrect temperature or flow rates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to operate with unknown capsule typesVSAvoidbrew parameter precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The control circuit dynamically changes brew parameters (temperature, flow rate) based on capsule identification results. When a capsule is identified, specific parameters are applied; when unidentified, default parameters are used, creating a flexible parameter adaptation mechanism that balances versatility with operational safety

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The system pre-prepares default brew parameters as a safety net before capsule identification fails. These default parameters provide a cushioned fallback that prevents system failure, allowing operation with unknown capsules while maintaining basic functional reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Reliability

If the control circuit automatically adjusts brew parameters without user override, then brewing reliability improves for unknown capsules, but the ease of operation deteriorates as users cannot customize settings

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebrewing reliabilityVSAvoiduser control flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The control system dynamically adjusts its level of automation based on capsule identification status. For identified capsules, users retain full control flexibility; for unidentified capsules, the system automatically locks parameters to pre-set defaults, creating a dynamic balance between reliability and user control

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system provides feedback to users about capsule identification status and the resulting parameter settings. This feedback mechanism allows users to understand why certain parameters are locked, maintaining operational transparency while ensuring reliability for unknown capsule types

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Productivity

If the system dispenses liquid at high flow rate when no capsule is detected, then productivity improves, but the object-affected harmful factors worsen due to potential damage to brewing components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedispensing speedVSAvoiddamage risk to brewing components

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The control circuit performs preliminary detection of capsule presence before initiating high-flow dispensing. When no capsule is detected, the system preemptively prevents high-flow operation, blocking the potential harmful action before it can occur and protecting brewing components from damage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

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

Ensures the beverage is dispensed at appropriate temperatures and flow rates, reducing the risk of brewing issues and allowing for the use of various capsules, including those not designed for high temperatures, by automatically adjusting parameters when a capsule's characteristics are unknown.

Implementation Method 1

a liquid conditioner arranged to heat or cool the liquid that is provided to the beverage forming station

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Implementation Method 2

the control circuit may have a reader adapted to identify at least one characteristic of a capsule held by the beverage forming station

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDetection:

Data Source

PatentUS20220338669A1Beverage machine with automated brew parameter adjustment

Publication Date: 2022.10.27 KEURIG GREEN MOUNTAIN INC

AI summary

A beverage forming system having a controller arranged to adjust at least one of a set of brew parameters in response to a failure to identify a characteristic of a capsule to be used to form a beverage. An adjusted brew parameter may be a configuration-type parameter that is generally has a fixed value for all or most beverage dispensing operations, or a beverage-specific parameter that may be user-adjusted for each beverage dispensing operation.