Brewing System Flow-Rate Control for Stable Water Temperature
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing brewing systems lack stable temperature control, resulting in unstable brewing conditions due to continuous adjustments in water temperature and flow, which affects the accurate 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 stable water temperature between 80 to 96°C, with optional pre-wetting and flushing to simulate pour-over techniques and maintain stable contact temperature.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If continuous temperature regulation is applied to maintain water temperature, then temperature control is achieved, but process stability deteriorates due to constant adjustments
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary heating of water to the target temperature before brewing begins. The water is heated in advance and then maintained at a stable temperature through thermal insulation and minimal intervention, avoiding continuous regulation during the brewing process. This preliminary preparation ensures both temperature accuracy and process stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains continuous thermal energy supply to water through an always-on heating element operating at low power, combined with thermal insulation. This continuous gentle heating prevents temperature fluctuations without requiring active regulation cycles, thereby maintaining both temperature control and process stability simultaneously.
2Productivity
If water flow rate is increased to improve brewing efficiency, then productivity increases, but temperature control accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the parameter of water flow from continuous high flow to controlled intermittent flow. By regulating flow rate and timing, the system ensures that water contacts the brewing substance at the precise moment when temperature is optimal, thereby maintaining temperature accuracy while achieving efficient brewing through optimized flow timing rather than continuous high flow.
3Measurement precision
If manual temperature adjustments are made frequently to maintain accurate contact temperature, then temperature precision is improved, but device complexity and operation difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements self-regulating thermal control through inherent thermal mass and insulation properties. The water heater and dispensing system are designed to maintain temperature automatically through passive thermal management, eliminating the need for complex active control systems or frequent manual adjustments. The system serves itself by leveraging thermal physics principles rather than complex control mechanisms.
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 system achieves a stable brewing process with accurate temperature control, reducing the need for constant adjustments, ensuring consistent flavor and extraction characteristics by maintaining a stable contact temperature between water and brewing substances.
Implementation Method 1
at least one water heating device for heating water to a predetermined temperature
Implementation Method 2
The flow rate of water in said system is adjusted so as to correspond to a predetermined water temperature in the water dispenser
Data Source
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.