Beverage-making machine with improved distribution showerhead
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automatic drip coffeemakers face issues with uneven water distribution in brew baskets, leading to inconsistent coffee quality due to variations in ground saturation and formation of deep depressions, particularly when brewing loose grounds.
Innovation Solution
A showerhead assembly with a lower basin and lid forming a water distribution chamber, featuring radially outward channels with varying hole sizes and a spiral pattern, ensuring uniform water distribution by directing more water through larger holes further from the center.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If water is distributed through conventional showerhead holes, then water flows through the brew basket, but uneven water distribution occurs leading to inconsistent coffee quality
Solution Approach 1:
The showerhead implements local quality by varying the hole diameter along the radial direction. Holes closer to the center have smaller diameters while holes farther from the center have larger diameters. This non-uniform hole distribution compensates for the natural tendency of water to concentrate at the center, achieving uniform water distribution across the brew basket without requiring complex additional components.
2Reliability
If water is distributed uniformly across the brew basket, then coffee quality consistency improves, but the showerhead requires varying hole sizes increasing manufacturing complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies parameter changes by systematically varying the hole diameter parameter along the radial direction of the showerhead. This controlled parameter variation enables uniform water distribution and consistent coffee brewing. The gradual change in hole size can be achieved through standard manufacturing techniques such as CNC machining or mold design, making the solution practical despite the varying parameters.
3Device complexity
If conventional showerhead design is used, then device simplicity is maintained, but deep depressions form in the brew basket due to uneven water flow
Solution Approach 1:
By implementing local quality with varying hole diameters, the showerhead directs appropriate water flow to different regions of the brew basket. The larger holes at the periphery prevent water concentration at the edges that would otherwise create deep depressions, while the smaller central holes prevent excessive center flow. This localized adjustment eliminates the harmful depression effect while maintaining overall structural simplicity.
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 enhances uniform water distribution, reducing uneven wetting and depression formation in the brew basket, thereby improving the quality and consistency of brewed coffee.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of channels in the lower basin, the channels extending radially outwardly... each of the channels including a plurality of holes, wherein at least one radially outward hole has a greater open area than a radially inward hole
Implementation Method 2
the channels extending radially outwardly in a spiral pattern
Data Source
AI summary
A beverage-making machine includes: a housing; a serving station that includes a showerhead, a brew basket, a dispensing outlet, and a receptacle platform; a water reservoir; and a heating unit fluidly connected with the water reservoir and with the showerhead. The showerhead includes a water distribution chamber in fluid connection with the heating unit. The showerhead includes a plurality of channels in a lower basin thereof, the channels extending radially outwardly. Each of the plurality of channels includes a plurality of holes, wherein at least one radially outward hole has a greater open area than a radially inward hole.