Brewing apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional brewing apparatuses are limited in their ability to accommodate multiple types of beverages, requiring separate devices for each type due to fixed brewing parameters, which can affect the taste and quality of the beverage.
Innovation Solution
A brewing apparatus with a chassis that fits within an aircraft galley, featuring a beverage cup base with a heater plate and sensors, allowing for adjustable brewing parameters based on the inserted beverage cup, and an adaptor insert assembly for accommodating different cup sizes and types, controlled by a controller that selects or adjusts brewing profiles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple brewing apparatuses are used to brew different types of beverages, then the taste and quality of each beverage is improved, but the device complexity and space requirement increase
Solution Approach 1:
The brewing apparatus is designed with a universal beverage cup cavity that can accommodate multiple types of beverage cups (espresso cups, coffee cups, tea cups, etc.) through a standardized interface. The system uses sensors to detect the cup type and automatically adjusts brewing parameters, allowing one device to perform multiple brewing functions that previously required separate apparatuses.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes brewing parameters (temperature, time, pressure, water flow rate) based on the detected beverage cup type. The controller receives sensor data about the inserted cup and automatically selects appropriate catering profiles, enabling the same hardware to optimize brewing conditions for different beverage types without requiring multiple specialized devices.
2Adaptability or versatility
If fixed brewing parameters are used in conventional apparatuses, then the device complexity is reduced, but the adaptability to different beverage types is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The brewing apparatus automatically detects the type of beverage cup inserted and self-adjusts the brewing parameters without requiring manual user input. Sensors scan the cup characteristics and the controller autonomously selects the appropriate catering profile, making the system adaptable to different beverage types while keeping the user interface simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates sensors that provide feedback about the inserted beverage cup to the controller. This feedback loop enables the controller to identify cup type, size, and material, then automatically adjust brewing parameters accordingly, achieving high adaptability through a relatively simple sensing and control mechanism.
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
Enables flexible brewing of various beverages by adjusting parameters based on the specific beverage cup, improving taste and quality without the need for multiple apparatuses, and allowing for customization of brewing profiles.
Implementation Method 1
The brewing apparatus may include a heater plate. The beverage cup may be positioned proximate to the heater plate when inserted into the chassis beverage cup cavity.
Implementation Method 2
The brewing apparatus may include one or more chassis sensors configured to acquire data about the beverage cup. The data may include a set of operational parameters for the beverage cup.
Data Source
AI summary
A brewing apparatus may include a chassis. The chassis may include a chassis beverage cup base. A chassis beverage cup cavity defined within the chassis beverage cup base may be configured to receive a beverage cup of a plurality of beverage cups. The brewing apparatus may include an adaptor insert assembly dimensioned to fit within the chassis beverage cup cavity. An adaptor insert cavity defined within the adaptor insert may be configured to receive a second beverage cup of a plurality of beverage cups. The brewing apparatus may include a controller configured to acquire data about the beverage cup or the second beverage cup via the one or more sensors. The controller may be configured to at least one of select or adjust a catering profile of a plurality of catering profiles based on the acquired data.