Machine for beverage preparation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Professional coffee machines require manual operations for filling and compressing filter holders, leading to inconsistent coffee quality and increased complexity due to varying ingredient treatments.
Innovation Solution
A machine with a motor-driven piston and filter holder system that automatically compresses ingredients to a predefined pressure, ensuring consistent quality and adaptability to different beverages based on operator input or environmental parameters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual compression of coffee powder is used, then the operator can control the compression process, but the coffee quality becomes inconsistent over time
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs compression automatically without requiring manual intervention. The motor-driven piston compresses the coffee powder based on pre-programmed parameters, making the system self-sufficient and eliminating variability introduced by human operators.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit adjusts compression parameters (force, duration, speed) automatically based on the selected beverage type. This allows the system to maintain consistent quality across different beverages while eliminating manual control variability through automated parameter management.
2Adaptability or versatility
If different treatments are applied to different ingredients, then beverage variety is increased, but the complexity of use increases
Solution Approach 1:
The compression system is designed to handle multiple ingredient types with different requirements through a single unified mechanism. The control unit stores multiple compression profiles and automatically selects the appropriate one based on the beverage type, providing universal functionality without increasing operational complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts compression parameters based on the selected beverage type. The control unit modifies force, speed, and duration in real-time according to pre-programmed settings, allowing versatile ingredient treatment while keeping the user interface simple and consistent.
3Reliability
If automated motor-driven compression is used, then coffee quality consistency is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The manual mechanical compression process is replaced with an automated motor-driven system. The motor provides precise control over compression force and speed through electronic control, replacing the need for manual mechanical operation while ensuring consistent results.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit monitors and regulates the compression process to maintain consistent quality. By implementing automated control with feedback mechanisms, the system achieves reliable results while managing complexity through intelligent control algorithms that optimize performance.
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 consistent high-quality infusion beverages by automating ingredient compression and adapting to different types, reducing user effort and maintaining quality over time.
Implementation Method 1
The machine further comprises a motor adapted to relatively move the filter holder and piston between one another, so that to couple the piston with the seat obtained in the filter holder, thus defining an infusion chamber, and so that to compress the ingredient
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention concerns a machine (1) for preparing an infusion beverage, comprising: a machine body (10); a filter holder (2) removably constrained to the machine body (10), comprising a seat (2a) for at least one ingredient (100), preferably powdered, for a beverage preparation; a piston (3) constrained to the machine body (10); wherein said machine (1) comprises a motor (M, M′) adapted to relatively move said filter holder (2) and said piston (3) between one another, so that to couple said piston (3) with said seat (2a) for, during use, defining an infusion chamber (6) and compressing said at least one ingredient (100) in said seat (2a).