Coffee machine and relative control method
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing coffee machines lack control over the flow rate and pressure of water during the infusion process, which affects the organoleptic properties of the coffee, as these parameters are solely dependent on the mechanical resistance of the coffee dose and the fixed maximum delivery pressure of the feed pump.
Innovation Solution
A coffee machine with a hydraulic infusion circuit and a feedback control system that includes a feed pump, a boiler, and an infusion unit, equipped with regulating and measuring means, allowing real-time comparison and adjustment of the water flow rate to match a predefined reference value, ensuring consistent coffee quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If no pressure control for the feed pump is implemented and only a bypass circuit is used to limit maximum delivery pressure, then the device complexity is reduced, but the manufacturing precision of water flow rate and pressure during infusion deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control system where a flow rate sensor measures the actual water flow rate through the infusion unit and sends this information to a controller. The controller compares the measured flow rate with a reference flow rate and adjusts the feed pump pressure accordingly to eliminate deviations. This closed-loop feedback mechanism enables precise control of water flow rate and pressure during infusion while maintaining reasonable system complexity.
2Ease of operation
If the flow rate and pressure of water during infusion are not controlled, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability of coffee quality consistency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-regulating system where the feedback controller automatically adjusts the feed pump pressure based on real-time flow rate measurements. The system independently corrects deviations from the reference flow rate without requiring user intervention. This maintains ease of operation while ensuring reliable and consistent coffee quality through automatic flow rate and pressure control during infusion.
3Manufacturing precision
If a feedback control system with regulating and measuring means is implemented, then the manufacturing precision of water flow rate control is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical pressure control mechanisms with an electronic feedback control system. Instead of using purely mechanical devices to regulate feed pump pressure, the system uses electronic sensors to measure flow rate and electronic controllers to adjust pump pressure based on feedback signals. This substitution of mechanical control with electronic control achieves precise flow rate control while keeping the overall system complexity manageable through the use of modern electronic components.
Data Source
AI summary
The coffee machine comprises at least one hydraulic infusion circuit comprising at least one feed pump (2) for supplying water, at least one boiler (3) hydraulically connected to the feed pump (2) by cascade connection, at least one infusion unit (4) that is hydraulically connected to the boiler (3) by cascade connection and through which a flow rate of hot water can pass for execution of an infusion cycle, means for regulating the flow rate of the water, means for measuring said flow rate of the water, and a feedback controller (6) connected to the regulating means and to the measuring means and configured to compare in real time the current value of the flow rate of the water, as measured by the measuring means, with a corresponding reference value, and to control the regulating means so as to eliminate any deviation of the current value with respect to the corresponding reference value.