Coffee Capsule Separation Channels for Dual Espresso and Filter Brewing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing coffee machines designed for portion capsules are not suitable for brewing both large volumes of filter coffee and espresso, as they require different appliances and have inefficiencies in pumping capacity and cycle time, especially when trying to brew espresso with large capsules.
Innovation Solution
A portion capsule with a separation element and liquid channels that prevents water from entering an empty region, allowing for brewing both filter coffee and espresso using the same coffee machine, with the capsule's design optimizing the volume distribution to reduce the need for increased pumping capacity and cycle time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a large capsule is used for filter coffee, then large volume brewing is enabled, but pumping capacity and cycle time become insufficient for espresso brewing
Solution Approach 1:
The capsule interior is segmented into an extraction material region and an empty region separated by a separation element. This segmentation allows the capsule to have a large external volume suitable for filter coffee while containing a smaller, optimized extraction material region for espresso brewing, thus resolving the contradiction between large capsule volume and brewing efficiency.
2Quantity of substance
If a large capsule is used for filter coffee, then large portion brewing is enabled, but the device complexity increases requiring duplicate brewing chambers
Solution Approach 1:
The brewing system dynamically adapts to different capsule types by adjusting brewing parameters (pressure, flow rate, cycle time) based on the capsule's internal configuration. This dynamic adaptation allows a single brewing chamber to handle both large capsules for filter coffee and optimized extraction for espresso, avoiding the need for duplicate brewing chambers.
3Quantity of substance
If water is introduced into a large capsule, then sufficient water volume is available, but water enters the empty region causing inefficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The empty region is extracted or separated from the water distribution path using a separation element with liquid channels. This design extracts only the necessary extraction material region for water interaction, preventing water from entering the empty region and eliminating energy waste while maintaining sufficient water volume for large portion brewing.
Data Source
AI summary
A coffee capsule is provided, the outer dimensions of which are matched to the size of a filtered-coffee capsule, but which has a separating element that separates an empty area from an extraction-material area. Furthermore, at least one liquid channel is provided, which passes through the empty area for example. The liquid channel or liquid channels and the extraction-material area are designed in such a way that water introduced into the capsule at an injection location or a beverage produced in the capsule substantially does not enter the empty area.