Automated Brewing Device With Sliding Holding Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing brewing technologies, such as tea preparation machines, often involve complex mechanics and filter chambers that complicate the brewing process, requiring manual intervention and time-consuming operations.

Innovation Solution

A device for automatic brewing drink preparation featuring a vascular intake, a holding device with locking elements, a water storage and heating system, and a moving mechanism to simplify the process by automatically inserting and removing a brewing substance from a serving vessel, ensuring optimal extraction of flavors and ingredients.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If a filter chamber with complex mechanics is used for brewing, then the brewing process can be automated, but the device complexity increases and operation becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomated brewing processVSAvoidcomplex mechanics and filter chamber
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the brewing substance container from the complex filter chamber system. Instead of using a traditional filter chamber that requires complex mechanics for immersion and removal, the patent uses a simple container holding brewing substance (tea bag or loose tea) that can be easily placed in and removed from the beverage receptacle, significantly simplifying the device while maintaining automation capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention segments the brewing system into separate functional components: a water storage device, a simple container for brewing substance, and a beverage receptacle. This segmentation eliminates the need for a complex integrated filter chamber, allowing each component to be simple and easy to operate while working together to achieve automated brewing

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If manual steps are used for tea preparation (placing tea bag, swirling, removing), then the process is simple to understand, but the preparation time increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesimplicity of preparation stepsVSAvoidpreparation time
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The device enables self-service automated brewing where the system performs the brewing process automatically once activated. The displacement device automatically immerses the brewing substance container, controls the brewing time, and removes the container, eliminating the need for continuous manual intervention while maintaining ease of operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The invention implements periodic action through the automated immersion and removal cycles. The displacement device periodically moves the brewing substance container into and out of the beverage receptacle, with controlled brewing time intervals, thereby automating the repetitive manual actions of placing and removing tea bags while reducing overall preparation time

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

3Device complexity

If a simple container with brewing substance is used instead of a complex filter chamber, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ability to control brewing process may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesimplified container designVSAvoidbrewing process control
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The control device monitors the brewing process and provides feedback control. It activates the displacement device to immerse the brewing substance container, controls the duration of immersion based on predetermined brewing time, and automatically removes the container when brewing is complete. This feedback mechanism ensures reliable brewing process control despite the simplicity of the container design

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces complex mechanical filter chamber systems with a simplified container design controlled by an automated displacement mechanism. The control device substitutes for complex mechanical brewing control by using automated timing and actuation to manage the brewing process, maintaining reliability while reducing mechanical complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical 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

The device enables efficient and automated brewing, reducing manual effort and time, while ensuring effective extraction of flavors and ingredients, resulting in a simplified and optimized brewing process.

Implementation Method 1

A heating device is provided for heating the water to a predetermined temperature

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Implementation Method 2

A pump is provided for moving the water from the water storage device into the beverage receptacle

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPumping: Pump

Data Source

PatentEP4385372B1Device and method for the automated production of a brewed beverage
Publication Date: 2025.01.29 TRÖLTZSCH CARIN-MARTINA
  • EP4385372B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4385372B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4385372B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a device and a method for preparing a brewed beverage, comprising a vessel receptacle (2) for receiving a drinking vessel (3) or a serving vessel, and a holding device (4) for holding a container for receiving a brewing substance, in particular tea. The holding device (4) has at least one locking element. The container with the brewing substance can be locked to the holding device (4) by the at least one locking element. The device for preparing a brewed beverage further comprises a sliding device for moving the holding device (4), wherein the sliding device is designed such that the holding device (4) is moved up and down and/or back and forth and/or rotated in the drinking vessel (3) or in the serving vessel during the preparation of the brewed beverage.