Hot Beverage Stirring and Heat Control for Uniform Brewing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing hot beverage makers lack efficient control over heating and stirring processes, leading to uneven flavor distribution, potential foaming issues, and local overheating, which can impair the taste and quality of the beverage.

Innovation Solution

A hot beverage maker with a filling level sensor connected to a control device that manages heat supply and stirring speed, featuring a stirring device with a filter for intense substrate liquid interaction, and a magnetic coupling for contactless power transmission, allowing for adjustable stirring movements and temperature profiles to prevent foaming and ensure uniform heating.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If conventional heating devices are used without controlled stirring, then heating process is simple, but local overheating occurs and flavor distribution becomes uneven

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflavor distribution uniformityVSAvoidheating and stirring control system
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control device receives signals from the filling level sensor and automatically adjusts the heating power and stirring speed, forming a closed-loop feedback system that maintains optimal brewing conditions without manual intervention

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically changes heating power and stirring speed parameters based on detected filling levels, transitioning between different brewing phases (heating, brewing, keeping warm) with optimized parameter sets for each phase

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If high stirring speed is used to improve flavor extraction, then beverage preparation is faster and more efficient, but foaming increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebeverage preparation speedVSAvoidfoaming
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The stirring speed is dynamically adjusted based on the brewing phase: high speed during initial extraction for efficiency, reduced speed during later stages to minimize foaming, creating a time-varying stirring regime optimized for both productivity and quality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The stirring device operates in periodic cycles with varying speeds - intense stirring periods for extraction followed by gentler periods to settle foam and maintain beverage quality, creating a rhythmic brewing process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

3Loss of time

If heating power is increased to reduce preparation time, then beverage preparation is faster, but local overheating and burning of beverage substrate occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebeverage preparation timeVSAvoidlocal overheating and burning
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The stirring device operates continuously throughout the heating and brewing process, ensuring constant movement of the beverage substrate and liquid to maintain continuous heat distribution and prevent localized overheating or burning

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The system combines heating, stirring, and sensing functions into an integrated brewing system where multiple components work synergistically - the heating element provides thermal energy while the stirring device distributes it uniformly, creating a composite brewing process that prevents harmful overheating effects

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

4Manufacturing precision

If manual monitoring and adjustment of heating and stirring is used, then device complexity is low, but flavor distribution uniformity and brewing consistency deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebrewing consistencyVSAvoidautomatic control operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-monitoring and self-adjustment of brewing parameters through the filling level sensor and control device, which automatically detect liquid levels and regulate heating and stirring without requiring user intervention, making the device operate itself

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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

This solution enables faster, more efficient beverage preparation with reduced substrate usage, prevents foaming and local overheating, and ensures consistent flavor intensity, improving the overall quality and taste of the hot beverage.

Implementation Method 1

a filling level sensor is provided for monitoring the filling level of the beverage container and is connected to the control device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFilling level sensing:

Implementation Method 2

the liquid in the beverage container is heated takes place on the basis of a predeterminable temperature profile

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Implementation Method 3

the operation of the stirring device takes place as a function of a filling level of the liquid... the liquid in the area of the bottom of the beverage container, which is used for heat transfer into the liquid... prevents local overheating of the liquid

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectStirring: Stirring

Implementation Method 4

a magnetic coupling for contactless power transmission

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic coupling: Magnetic Field

Data Source

PatentEP2667756B1Hot beverage preparation device
Publication Date: 2015.02.18 ISSAR RAVINDER
  • EP2667756B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2667756B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2667756B1 patent drawingFigure 3~7

AI summary

The invention relates to a hot beverage preparation device for household or gastronomy use, comprising a heating unit (3; 403) for the liquid, a control unit (4) for actuating the heating unit (3; 403), and a beverage container (5; 305; 405) which is designed to receive heated liquid, wherein a stirring unit (6; 106; 406) is arranged in the beverage container (5; 305; 405), the stirring unit being designed for a stirring movement of the heated liquid in order to allow a homogeneous distribution of a beverage substrate that can be introduced in the heated liquid. According to the invention, a supply container (2) for a liquid is provided, in particular arranged in a housing (28), and/or the stirring unit (6; 106) comprises a filter unit (206; 486) for receiving the beverage substrate.