Machine and method for preparing beverages
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beverage preparation machines are limited in their ability to dispense precise quantities and temperatures of beverages, are primarily designed for coffee, and suffer from thermal losses and residual water issues, which affect flavor and hygiene.
Innovation Solution
A machine with a user-selectable interface for beverage type and quantity, featuring a controllable water tank, adjustable pump, and a boiler with heating elements that maintain water temperature according to user preferences, along with a system to dry residual water and prevent stagnation, ensuring precise and efficient beverage preparation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a pump is used to control water quantity, then water delivery precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical pump control system with an electronic control system that uses a heating element and temperature sensor to indirectly control water delivery. The controller activates the heating element to heat water to a specific temperature, which then naturally flows or is pumped based on temperature-driven convection or pressure differential, eliminating the need for complex mechanical pump timing and flow rate control mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the control parameter from mechanical pump flow rate adjustment to water temperature control. By precisely controlling the water temperature through the heating element and temperature sensor, the system indirectly controls the water delivery quantity and timing, transforming a mechanical control problem into a thermal control problem that is easier to manage electronically.
2Ease of operation
If pre-infusion step is added to control beverage intensity, then beverage quality is improved, but preparation time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the pre-infusion pause by implementing continuous water flow through the coffee bed. The heating element continuously heats water that flows through the filtering element without interruption, maintaining constant thermal and hydraulic action on the coffee grounds throughout the brewing process, thereby achieving quality extraction without extended preparation time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary heating of the water before it contacts the coffee grounds, and maintains this heated state continuously during the entire brewing process. The heating element is activated in advance and remains active throughout water delivery, ensuring the water is always at the optimal temperature for extraction without requiring a separate pre-infusion stage.
3Temperature
If heating device is activated continuously, then water temperature stability is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control system where the temperature sensor continuously monitors the water temperature and provides information to the controller. The controller adjusts the heating element activation based on this feedback, activating it only when the temperature drops below the desired setpoint and deactivating it when the temperature is sufficient, thereby maintaining temperature stability while minimizing energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs periodic activation of the heating element rather than continuous operation. The heating element is activated in cycles based on temperature sensor feedback, creating a periodic heating pattern that maintains water temperature within the desired range while allowing energy-saving idle periods between heating cycles.
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 allows for precise control over beverage quantity and temperature, reducing thermal losses and energy consumption while maintaining hygiene and flavor quality by dynamically adjusting water temperature and eliminating residual water, thus enhancing user convenience and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a heating element (26) configured to heat the water to a controlled temperature
Implementation Method 2
a pump (30) configured to move water from the tank through the heating element to the filtering container
Implementation Method 3
a filter (18) separated from the brewing chamber and positioned in the filtering container, the filter configured to retain the coffee grounds
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
A machine to prepare beverages comprises at least a source (12) of water, fluidly connected, by means of a circuit (22), to a filtering container (13) suitable to contain an aromatic mixture (11) positionable on each occasion and to be subjected to brewing, a pump (30) to feed the water from said source (12) to said filtering container (13), a heating device (21) for the water, temperature sensor means (28) suitable to measure the temperature of the water in said circuit (22) downstream of said heating device (21), and a control and command unit (34).