Coffee brewing apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing full automatic coffee machines lack the ability to optimally prepare both pressurized and filter-like coffees, with inadequate pressure adjustment and cumbersome manual handling of accessories, and complex, expensive solutions for preparing filter-like coffee.
Innovation Solution
A full automatic coffee machine with a brewing chamber and dual piston system, allowing for adjustable pressure settings and positional changes to accommodate both pressurized and filter-like coffee preparation, featuring a pressure bypass valve controlled by a motorized actuator for precise pressure adjustment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional coffee brewing apparatus is used, then the brewing process is simple, but coffee grounds easily scatter and fail to be completely contained in the filter unit
Solution Approach 1:
The filter unit is divided into multiple functional layers including a filter medium layer, a foam layer with through-holes, and a bottom plate with through-holes. This segmentation allows each layer to perform specific functions: the filter medium contains coffee grounds, the foam layer distributes water flow, and the bottom plate supports the structure while allowing drainage. This segmented design effectively prevents coffee grounds from scattering while maintaining manageable complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The filter unit employs a nested structure where the filter medium is positioned within the housing, the foam layer is embedded within the housing structure, and the bottom plate forms the base of the nested arrangement. This nesting approach maximizes space utilization and ensures that all components work together in a compact configuration, improving grounds containment without excessive complexity.
2Productivity
If hot water is poured directly onto coffee grounds, then brewing is efficient, but uneven water distribution causes poor brewing quality
Solution Approach 1:
The foam layer acts as an intermediary between the incoming hot water and the coffee grounds. It distributes the water flow evenly across the coffee bed through its porous structure and through-holes, preventing channeling and ensuring uniform extraction. This intermediary function maintains brewing efficiency while significantly improving consistency and quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The filter medium and foam layer are strategically positioned to create zones of different functionality: the filter medium provides containment, the foam layer provides distribution, and the bottom plate provides support. This local differentiation of qualities ensures that water is distributed evenly where needed while maintaining structural integrity, resulting in consistent brewing quality.
3Manufacturing precision
If the filter unit is designed to fully contain coffee grounds, then brewing quality improves, but cleaning becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The filter unit is designed as a removable component that can be easily extracted from the brewing apparatus. This extraction capability allows users to remove the filter unit for cleaning without disassembling the entire device. The filter medium can be accessed and cleaned by simply removing the filter unit, maintaining brewing quality while significantly improving cleaning convenience.
Solution Approach 2:
The filter unit incorporates a design that facilitates self-cleaning or easy maintenance. The bottom plate with through-holes allows for drainage and air drying when inverted, and the removable structure enables users to rinse and clean the components without requiring specialized tools or complex disassembly, making maintenance accessible to end users.
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
Enables optimal preparation of both pressurized and filter-like coffees with simplified operation, eliminating the need for manual handling and reducing complexity and cost.
Implementation Method 1
a heater (H) that heats the water stored in the water tank (121)
Implementation Method 2
a circulator pump (141) that circulates the water, heated by the heater (H), from the water tank (121) toward a shower screen (131)
Implementation Method 3
a filter unit (160) that filters the brewed coffee
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3F
AI summary
The invention concerns a full automatic coffee machine (100) comprising : - a brewing chamber (1), an upper piston (2), a lower piston (3) movable inside said brewing chamber (1), wherein the brewing chamber and/or the upper piston are relatively movable between a first closed position configured for compacting coffee during brewing and the second closed position is configured for not compacting coffee during brewing, - a pressurized hot water fluid system comprising at least a water supply (101), a water heating device (104) and a water pump (102) wherein said system is connected to the water inlet (13) of the coffee extraction unit, wherein the fluid supply system comprises a pressure bypass valve (107) downstream the water pump and wherein the predetermined threshold pressure of the fluid dispensed by said pressure bypass valve is adjustable, and wherein the full automatic coffee machine comprises a control system configured : - to move the brewing chamber and/or the upper piston to the first closed position or to the second position for brewing coffee powder, and - to adjust the predetermined threshold pressure of the fluid dispensed by the pressure bypass valve to a first predetermined threshold pressure, respectively to a second predetermined threshold pressure, when the brewing chamber and/or the upper piston is moved to the first closed position, respectively to the second position.