Centrifugal Beverage Extractor Heating for Temperature-Stable Collection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing centrifugal systems for producing beverages, such as coffee, suffer from significant temperature loss due to heat exchange with extensive surfaces, resulting in the liquid extract being discharged at a lower temperature than optimal for quality extraction and preservation of aroma compounds and foam characteristics.

Innovation Solution

A device with a collecting unit thermally connected to a high-conductivity heater block that maintains the liquid extract at a suitable temperature through thermal conductivity, minimizing additional heating needs and preserving the foam characteristics by keeping the impact wall at ambient temperature.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the liquid extract is collected using an extensive surface collector, then the collection efficiency is improved, but the temperature of the liquid extract decreases due to heat exchange with the collector surfaces

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecollection efficiencyVSAvoidliquid extract temperature
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The collector is segmented into multiple heating zones with independent temperature control, allowing different sections to operate at optimal temperatures for both efficient collection and temperature maintenance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The collector surfaces are heated to controlled temperatures below the liquid extract temperature, creating a temperature gradient that minimizes heat loss while maintaining collection efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Temperature

If additional heating elements are added to compensate for temperature loss, then the liquid extract temperature is maintained, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveliquid extract temperatureVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The heating function is merged with the existing collector structure, integrating temperature compensation into the collection system itself rather than adding separate heating elements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The collector surfaces serve dual functions: collecting liquid extract and providing controlled heating to prevent temperature loss, making the system self-sufficient

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Temperature

If the impact wall is heated to compensate for temperature loss, then the liquid extract temperature is maintained, but the foam characteristics are degraded

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveliquid extract temperatureVSAvoidfoam characteristic degradation
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Different parts of the collection system have different thermal properties: the collector surfaces are heated to maintain temperature, while the impact wall remains at ambient temperature to preserve foam characteristics

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 effectively maintains the liquid extract at a consistent temperature close to the initial brewing temperature, ensuring optimal extraction and preservation of flavor and foam quality, with minimal heat dissipation and no additional heating elements required.

Implementation Method 1

a heater for heating the liquid supplied in the centrifugal unit, wherein the heater is arranged to heat the liquid extract after it leaves the brewing unit

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conductivity: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

by passing a liquid through the ingredients using centrifugal forces

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCentrifugal forces: Centrifugal Force

Data Source

PatentEP2931089B1Beverage production device using centrifugation for extracting a liquid comprising heat loss compensating means
Publication Date: 2018.10.03 SOCIETE DES PRODUITS NESTLE SA
  • EP2931089B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2931089B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3A
  • EP2931089B1 patent drawingFigure 3B~3C

AI summary

Beverage production device for preparing a liquid extract by interaction between a liquid and food ingredients to form the liquid extract by effect of centrifugation of the liquid passing through the ingredients comprising: • a brewing unit (2) for receiving the food ingredients, • a collecting unit (18) for collecting the liquid extract centrifuged outside the centrifugal unit, • driving means connected to the centrifugal unit for driving the centrifugal unit in rotation, • liquid supply means being connected to the centrifugal unit to supply liquid in the centrifugal unit, • wherein the collecting unit (18) comprises a heater (10) for heating the liquid supplied in the centrifugal unit, • said heater (10) being further arranged to heat the liquid extract after it leaves the brewing unit (2).