Universal Coffee Brewing Chart for Precise Extraction Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional coffee brewing methods lack precision in achieving the optimal extraction and strength balance, leading to defects such as bitterness and under-development of flavor, due to the need for multiple brewing charts with different batch sizes and units of measurement, and temperature-related inaccuracies.
Innovation Solution
A universal coffee brewing control chart system that uses a unitless brew formula ratio of water to coffee weight, displayed on a graphical interface, allowing for real-time adjustments and calculations based on actual brew water temperature, eliminating the need for separate charts and improving precision in achieving the gold-cup standard.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple brewing charts with different batch sizes and units of measurement are used, then various brewing scenarios can be covered, but the system complexity increases and precision is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a single universal brewing chart that can handle multiple batch sizes and units of measurement through the use of dimensionless ratios. The chart uses a brew formula ratio (water weight to coffee weight) that remains constant regardless of batch size, allowing the same chart to be used for any brewing scenario by simply scaling the quantities while maintaining the optimal extraction and strength parameters.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the brewing parameters into dimensionless forms, specifically using ratios instead of absolute values. By expressing the brew formula as a ratio of water weight to coffee weight, the system eliminates the need for multiple charts with different units, as the ratio remains invariant under scaling. This parameter transformation allows a single chart to serve all brewing scenarios.
2Manufacturing precision
If conventional brewing methods are used, then simplicity is maintained, but precision in achieving optimal extraction and strength is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical measurement systems with a simplified graphical chart-based system. Instead of using multiple instruments and calculations to determine brewing parameters, the system uses a single universal chart where the brew formula ratio is directly read from the graph. This substitution maintains precision while dramatically reducing the complexity of the brewing control system.
Solution Approach 2:
The universal brewing chart acts as an intermediary between the desired extraction/strength parameters and the actual brewing process. The chart translates optimal extraction percentages and strength targets into a simple brew formula ratio that can be directly applied in brewing, eliminating the need for complex real-time calculations while maintaining precision.
3Measurement precision
If temperature variations are not corrected, then the brewing process is simple, but measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates temperature correction factors into the universal brewing chart in advance. The chart is pre-calibrated to account for temperature variations, allowing brewers to simply read the appropriate brew formula ratio from the chart based on their brewing temperature without performing separate correction calculations. This preliminary incorporation of correction factors maintains precision while avoiding additional complexity during the actual brewing process.
Data Source
AI summary
An information handling system (IHS) includes a coffee design application. The IHS receives first input information from a user that specifies a coffee design mode. The IHS receives second input information from a user that enables the IHS to define a unitless brew formula line ratio of water weight to coffee weight. The IHS displays a brew formula line on a universal brewing control chart graph, the brew formula line being dependent on the brew formula ratio. The IHS operates in a selected one of a brew water volume mode, a desired coffee yield mode and a ground coffee weight mode. The IHS converts input values to selected units and resultant output values to selected units in real time. The IHS projects a target total dissolved solids (TDS) % value on the brew formula line and plots a universal brewing control chart.