Capsule Beverage Preparation with Continuous Prewetting Flow Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beverage preparation methods using capsules face issues with flow blocking, increased preparation time, and high electrical power consumption due to complex pump control and prewetting processes, particularly when resuming water flow after interruption.
Innovation Solution
A method involving continuous water feeding for prewetting with a controlled flow rate, followed by immediate and uninterrupted water feeding for extraction, with a steeper pressure ramp-up phase to efficiently prepare beverages without flow interruptions and reduce preparation time, using a controllable pump like a gear, membrane, or syringe pump.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If water flow is interrupted during prewetting to hold pressure constant, then prewetting quality is improved, but preparation time increases drastically and pump control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies continuous water flow during prewetting without interruption, eliminating the need to stop the pump and hold pressure constant. The pump maintains a controlled flow rate throughout the prewetting phase, ensuring continuous wetting of coffee grounds while avoiding the time loss and complexity associated with flow interruption and pressure holding.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the control parameter from pressure holding (constant pressure) to flow rate control (controlled flow). By maintaining a specific flow rate range (20-120 ml/min) instead of interrupting flow to hold pressure, the system achieves effective prewetting while reducing preparation time and simplifying pump control.
2Productivity
If pump flow is resumed after interruption, then beverage extraction can proceed, but flow blocking problems occur and control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent maintains continuous water flow from prewetting through extraction without interruption. The pump operates continuously with adjusted flow rates for different phases, eliminating flow stopping and resuming operations that cause blocking problems and control complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically adjusts the pump flow rate during continuous operation rather than using fixed on/off control. The flow rate is modulated to match the required water volume for prewetting and extraction phases, ensuring smooth transitions and preventing flow blocking while maintaining extraction efficiency.
3Quantity of substance
If pump ramps up from off mode to full operation, then water delivery increases, but preparation time increases and electrical power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent keeps the pump in a ready state or partially activated during the water heating phase, so that when prewetting begins, the pump is already primed and can immediately deliver water at the required flow rate. This eliminates the cold start ramp-up time and reduces electrical power consumption spikes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses dynamic flow rate control where the pump operates at variable speeds matched to the actual water delivery needs. Instead of ramping from zero to full operation, the pump maintains optimal flow rates throughout, reducing preparation time and energy consumption while ensuring adequate water delivery for each phase.
4Reliability
If controlled flow rate is used during prewetting, then prewetting quality is improved, but pump control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent simplifies pump control by changing from complex pressure control with flow interruption to straightforward flow rate control. The pump is programmed to maintain specific flow rate ranges (20-120 ml/min for prewetting, higher for extraction), which is a simpler control parameter that directly achieves the desired prewetting quality without complex pressure management.
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 enhances in-cup beverage quality by efficient prewetting and reduces preparation time and electrical power usage, eliminating flow blocking issues and complex pump control challenges.
Implementation Method 1
feeding a first volume of water in the capsule containing beverage ingredients in dry state for prewetting the beverage ingredients in the capsule before beverage is extracted from the second wall of the capsule
Implementation Method 2
feeding water to the capsule through a first wall of the capsule by a pump of the machine
Implementation Method 3
the second wall being preferably opened for extraction of the brewed beverage at least by the effect of the pressure being built up inside the capsule
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method for the preparation of a beverage in a beverage preparation machine (1) from a capsule (2) containing beverage ingredients by feeding water to the capsule through a first wall (6) of the capsule by a water pump (16) of the machine under the control of a control unit (21); the brewed beverage being extracted through a second wall (9) of the capsule; said second wall being preferably opened for extraction of the brewed beverage at least by the effect of pressure being built up inside the capsule as a result of the water being fed in the capsule; comprising: - feeding a first volume of water (V1) in the capsule containing beverage ingredients in dry state for prewetting the beverage ingredients in the capsule before beverage is extracted from the second wall (9) of the capsule ("prewetting"); - feeding a second volume of water (V2-V1) in the capsule to have beverage extracted from the second wall (9) of the capsule; wherein the feeding of the first volume is controlled at, at least one flow rate value that provides a continuous increase of the water pressure from the pump in a first ramp-up phase (30) of water pressure and, wherein the feeding of the second water volume is controlled to start immediately and without flow interruption after the feeding of the first water volume and is controlled to increase the water pressure until at least one pressure of extraction after a second ramp-up phase of pressure (31) which is controlled to be steeper than the first ramp-up phase (30) of pressure.