Coffee Machine Dual-Stage Heating for Stable Brewing Temperature

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing coffee machines face challenges in maintaining consistent brewing water temperature, which affects brewing quality, and require inefficient energy usage due to large water heating systems, especially in professional settings where temperature stability and quick adaptation are crucial.

Innovation Solution

A coffee machine with a modular design featuring a first heating device as a boiler for initial water heating, a second heating device as a thick film continuous flow heater for precise temperature adjustment in the brewing module, and an optional third heating device for bypass water or tea preparation, allowing for adjustable temperature profiles and efficient energy management.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If a large boiler is used to heat brewing water, then temperature stability is improved, but energy consumption increases and thermal inertia increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature stabilityVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The heating system is divided into two independent heating devices: a first heating device (boiler) that heats water to a base temperature, and a second heating device (continuous flow heater) that provides additional heating close to the brewing unit. This segmentation allows the large boiler to maintain temperature stability while the smaller second heater handles precise temperature adjustment, reducing overall energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The first heating device pre-heats the brewing water to a base temperature (e.g., 70-80°C) in advance, so that the second heating device only needs to provide the remaining temperature increase (e.g., to reach 90-98°C). This preliminary action reduces the energy burden on the second heater and improves overall system efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Stability of the object's composition

If a large boiler is used to heat brewing water, then temperature stability is improved, but thermal inertia increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature stabilityVSAvoidthermal response speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The heating system is divided into two independent heating devices: a first heating device (boiler) that heats water to a base temperature, and a second heating device (continuous flow heater) that provides additional heating close to the brewing unit. This segmentation allows the large boiler to maintain temperature stability while the smaller second heater handles precise temperature adjustment, reducing overall energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The second heating device acts as an intermediary between the large boiler and the brewing unit. It receives pre-heated water from the boiler and provides the final temperature adjustment right at the brewing point, enabling quick temperature adaptation without being constrained by the thermal inertia of the large boiler.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Quantity of substance

If brewing water is heated in a large tank, then sufficient brewing water quantity is available, but temperature constancy deteriorates due to heat loss along the flow path

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebrewing water quantityVSAvoidtemperature constancy

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The second heating device acts as an intermediary between the large boiler and the brewing unit. It receives pre-heated water from the boiler and provides the final temperature adjustment right at the brewing point, enabling quick temperature adaptation without being constrained by the thermal inertia of the large boiler.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts the temperature parameter at different points in the flow path. The first heating device maintains water at a base temperature in the large tank, while the second heating device adjusts the temperature parameter right before brewing, compensating for heat losses along the flow path.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Device complexity

If a single heating device is used, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to different temperature requirements deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheating system complexityVSAvoidtemperature adjustment flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The heating system is divided into two independent heating devices: a first heating device (boiler) that heats water to a base temperature, and a second heating device (continuous flow heater) that provides additional heating close to the brewing unit. This segmentation allows the large boiler to maintain temperature stability while the smaller second heater handles precise temperature adjustment, reducing overall energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system employs dynamic temperature control with two independently controllable heating devices. The first heating device maintains a base temperature, while the second heating device dynamically adjusts the final brewing temperature based on the selected coffee specialty requirements, enabling adaptability without excessive complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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

Ensures individually adjustable brewing water temperatures for optimal coffee and tea preparation, minimizing temperature fluctuations and energy consumption while enabling quick reaction to temperature changes, thus enhancing brewing quality and efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

a first heating element for providing water heated to a first temperature T1

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Implementation Method 2

a second heating device, disposed in a brewing water feed line, in order to heat the water heated to the first temperature T1 to a second temperature T2

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 3

a steam module for generation and dispensing of steam

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Data Source

PatentUS11439271B2Coffee machine for preparation of a hot beverage

Publication Date: 2022.09.13 CUP&CINO KAFFEESYST VERTRIEB GMBH & CO KG

AI summary

Coffee machine (1) for preparation of a hot beverage with a heating system for dynamic thermal management, comprising a housing frame (2), in which are accommodated a water module (100) for providing brewing water, which comprises a first heating device (120), having a boiler (121) with a fresh water inlet (12) and with a first heating element (123) for providing water heated to a first temperature T1 and a brewing module (200), whereby the brewing module (200) comprises a brewing device (220) for brewing a predefined amount of coffee with brewing water and a dispensing unit (230) for dispensing brewed coffee, as well as, disposed in a brewing water feed line (260), a second heating device (250), to heat the water heated to the first temperature T1 to a second temperature T2. The coffee machine provides for the second heating device (250) accommodated in the brewing module (200) being a thick film heater (252) designed as continuous flow heater.