Machine for beverage preparation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Professional coffee machines require manual operations that can lead to inconsistent coffee quality due to user variability and differing ingredient treatments, making it complex to maintain consistent beverage quality over time and adapt to various beverage types.
Innovation Solution
A machine with a filter holder and piston that moves automatically under motor control to achieve consistent compression of ingredients, allowing for adjustable pressure settings based on operator input and environmental parameters, ensuring repeatable and high-quality beverage preparation.
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 due to user variability
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs compression automatically without requiring operator intervention. The motor-driven piston compresses the coffee powder based on pre-programmed parameters, making the system self-sufficient and eliminating variability introduced by different operators.
Solution Approach 2:
The manual mechanical compression operation is replaced by an automated motor-driven piston system. The control unit manages the compression process through electrical control of the motor, substituting human mechanical action with an automated electromechanical system that ensures consistent results.
2Adaptability or versatility
If different treatments are applied for different beverages, then the machine can accommodate various beverage types, but the operational complexity increases for the operator
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts compression parameters based on the selected beverage type. The control unit modifies piston movement characteristics, pressure levels, and compression duration according to pre-stored profiles for different beverages, enabling versatile operation without increasing user complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
Different beverage types are accommodated by changing compression parameters such as pressure, speed, and duration. The control unit stores multiple parameter sets corresponding to different beverages and automatically selects the appropriate parameters, allowing the system to adapt to various beverage requirements without complicating the user interface.
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 machine ensures consistent coffee quality by automatically compressing ingredients to a predefined pressure, adapting to different beverages, and accounting for environmental factors, reducing operator fatigue and improving beverage consistency.
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.
Implementation Method 2
the control unit is configured so that to receive from an operator, directly or indirectly, a desired pressure value to be applied to the ingredients, and to relatively move the piston and the filter holder between one another until the pressure value of the piston on the ingredients is reached.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
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).