Coffee Brewing Chamber with Single-Piston Compression and Ejection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing coffee machine brewing groups require complex mechanics and controls due to movable brewing chambers and multiple pistons, making them costly and difficult to maintain, with non-uniform compression and challenging cleaning processes.
Innovation Solution
A stationary brewing chamber with a lateral filling opening and a single adjustable piston for compression and ejection, along with a pivoting closure plate for simplified operation and easy cleaning, reduces the number of moving parts and simplifies movement control, allowing for direct grinder integration and efficient water supply paths.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a movable brewing chamber with multiple pistons is used, then coffee compression and ejection functions are achieved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the brewing chamber with the piston body, making them a single integrated component. This eliminates the need for separate movable chamber and piston structures, reducing the number of moving parts while maintaining the dual functions of compression and ejection. The piston itself forms the brewing chamber, so when the piston moves, it simultaneously compresses coffee and enables ejection through its integrated design.
Solution Approach 2:
The single piston is designed to perform multiple functions: it serves as both the compression element and the ejection mechanism. By integrating the brewing chamber into the piston body, the same component that compresses the coffee also facilitates ejection when retracted, eliminating the need for separate dedicated components for each function.
2Volume of moving object
If a curved brewing chamber with radial piston movement is used, then compact design is achieved, but compression uniformity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a curved brewing chamber with radial piston movement, the patent inverts the approach by using a cylindrical brewing chamber with axial piston movement. This inversion of the movement direction from radial to axial ensures uniform compression force distribution across the coffee bed, while the cylindrical shape maintains compact design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a cylindrical brewing chamber with axial piston movement to achieve homogeneous compression of the coffee. The axial movement of the piston applies force uniformly across the entire coffee surface, ensuring consistent compression throughout the coffee bed, unlike radial movement which creates non-uniform compression zones.
3Productivity
If sequence-controlled movement of brewing chamber and pistons is implemented, then coffee preparation process is achieved, but control complexity and cleaning difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the brewing chamber with the piston, the patent simplifies the control sequence. The single piston's axial movement automatically handles both compression and ejection functions in sequence, eliminating the need for complex coordinated control of multiple independent pistons and a separate brewing chamber.
Solution Approach 2:
The single piston design enables self-service functionality where the same component that compresses the coffee automatically performs the ejection function by simply retracting. This eliminates the need for separate ejection mechanisms and complex control sequences, making the system easier to operate and clean.
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 design results in a cost-effective, trouble-free operation with simplified control and cleaning, ensuring uniform coffee compression and easy maintenance, while maintaining efficient coffee production and water flow.
Implementation Method 1
a piston that can be adjusted axially by means of a first actuator, which in the filling position leaves the filling opening free and in the brewing position at least partially closes the filling opening with its jacket
Implementation Method 2
Hot water is pumped through the compacted ground coffee at high pressure of, for example, 15 bar. The resulting coffee, i.e. the filtrate, runs through an outlet into a cup to be provided.
Implementation Method 3
the piston in the ejection position moves into an ejection position in the direction of the second end when the closure plate is in the release position
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The unit has a brewing chamber (1) formed by an unmovable cylinder (4) with a filling opening (5). A plunger (7) is provided at the end as a part to compress coffee grounds. A locking plate (9) with actuators is provided at another end of the cylinder. The plunger is moved into an ejection position in direction of the latter end when the plate is movable into an unblocked position. The plunger and the plate are reversely movable into an outlet position after ejection of remaining grounds. A connection for hot water supply and a filtrate outlet are provided at the plunger and at the plate.