Brewing Water Flow Control for Stable Contact Temperature

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing brewing systems lack stable temperature control, resulting in unstable brewing conditions and continuous adjustments to water temperature and flow, which affects the accuracy of contact temperature between water and brewing substances like coffee or tea.

Innovation Solution

A brewing system with a water inlet line, controlled flow means, a water heating device, and a water dispenser, where the flow rate is adjusted to maintain a predetermined temperature, using sensors and a controller to ensure constant heat transfer and minimal fluctuations in water temperature, allowing for pre-wetting and flushing to simulate stable brewing conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If water temperature is controlled by continuously adjusting heating and flow, then temperature accuracy is improved, but process stability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature accuracyVSAvoidprocess stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The system pre-heats water to a temperature higher than the target brewing temperature before dispensing. By controlling the flow rate of pre-heated water, the system achieves the desired contact temperature without continuous heating adjustments during brewing, thereby improving process stability while maintaining temperature accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Measurement precision

If flow rate is continuously adjusted to maintain temperature, then temperature control is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature controlVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system changes the operational parameter from continuous heating control to flow rate control. By adjusting the flow rate of pre-heated water, the system achieves precise temperature control with simpler control logic, reducing system complexity while maintaining accurate temperature control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If water is heated to high temperature, then brewing efficiency is improved, but temperature stability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebrewing efficiencyVSAvoidtemperature stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

Water is pre-heated to a high temperature (above the target brewing temperature) before the brewing process. This preliminary heating action ensures that the water has sufficient thermal energy for efficient brewing, while the subsequent flow rate control maintains temperature stability during the actual brewing process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 approach provides a stable brewing process with accurate contact temperature control, reducing the need for continuous adjustments and ensuring consistent flavor characteristics by maintaining a consistent water temperature between 80 to 96 °C, enhancing the brewing efficiency and quality.

Implementation Method 1

at least one water heating device for heating water to a predetermined temperature

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat transfer: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

means for controlling flow of water connected to said water inlet line

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid flow control:

Data Source

PatentEP3307118B1Brewing system and process of brewing a beverage
Publication Date: 2019.04.10 PLAE 2 TECH AB
  • EP3307118B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

The present invention relates to a process and a system for brewing a beverage in a beverage brewing system, said system comprising: i) a water inlet line; ii) means for controlling flow of water connected to said water inlet line; iii) at least one water heating device for heating water to a predetermined temperature connected downstream to and in communication with said means for controlling flow of water; iv) a water dispenser connected downstream to and in communication with said at least one water heating device, said water dispenser comprising means for controllable dispense of water; v) optionally a water distribution device arranged to receive dispensed water from said water dispenser; vi) a beverage substance container arranged to receive dispensed water from said water dispenser or said water distribution device; vii) a beverage container arranged to receive dispensed beverage from said beverage substance container wherein the flow rate of water in said system is adjusted so as to correspond to a predetermined water temperature in the water dispenser.