Beverage Brewer Reservoir Pressurization to Prevent Dry Heating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Coffee brewers that rely on cartridges for beverage formation often face issues with water delivery during brew cycles, leading to potential heater damage due to insufficient water levels, as they typically empty the reservoir between uses.
Innovation Solution
A method and device where water delivery from the reservoir is controlled based on power interruption to the heater, utilizing a temperature cut-off switch to ensure water is present before heating, and an air pump to pneumatically pressurize the reservoir for delivering heated water to the cartridge, preventing heater operation without sufficient water.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the heater operates continuously to heat water for beverage formation, then the beverage preparation efficiency is improved, but the heater may be damaged due to insufficient water levels in the reservoir
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a temperature cut-off switch that provides feedback control for the heater operation. The switch monitors water temperature and automatically interrupts power to the heater when the predetermined temperature is reached, preventing heater damage from operating without sufficient water while maintaining efficient beverage preparation
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary action by ensuring water is present in the reservoir before the heater operates. The temperature cut-off switch is configured to prevent heater operation unless water is available, proactively preventing damage before it can occur
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the reservoir is emptied between uses to maintain hygiene, then sanitation is improved, but the heater cannot operate without sufficient water present
Solution Approach 1:
The temperature cut-off switch performs preliminary action by checking for water presence before allowing heater operation. This ensures that when water is added to the emptied reservoir, the heater can immediately operate safely without risk of damage from running dry
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the water itself to control the heating process. When water is present in the reservoir after emptying, it automatically enables heater operation through the temperature cut-off switch, and when absent, it prevents operation, creating a self-regulating system
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
Prevents heater damage by ensuring water is present during heating and efficiently delivers heated water to the cartridge, maintaining device functionality and safety.
Implementation Method 1
detection of the water temperature is performed by a temperature cut off switch (TCO) which is normally closed to provide power to a water heater, but opens when the water reaches a predetermined temperature
Implementation Method 2
the brewer may include an air pump that pneumatically pressurizes the water reservoir in response to opening of the TCO switch, thereby forcing the heated water to the cartridge
Implementation Method 3
water is heated by the brewer and introduced into the cartridge
Data Source
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AI summary
A beverage forming machine comprises a brew chamber (1) for receiving a brew cartridge, a reservoir (5) for receiving precursor liquid for use in forming a beverage, a brew indication switch, which may be a separate button switch (91) or may be just closure of a reservoir lid, for receiving an indication from a user to begin a brewing cycle, a heater (94) for heating precursor liquid in the reservoir (5), a detector, such as a thermal cut off switch (93), for detecting a desired temperature of precursor liquid in the reservoir (5), and an air pump (92) for providing pressurised air to the reservoir (5). Also provided is a controller (9) which controls the heater (94) to heat the precursor liquid and causes the air pump (92) to deliver pressurised air to the reservoir (94) when the detector detects that the precursor liquid is at the desired temperature.