Coffee machine
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing coffee machines require manual adjustment of water volume, leading to potential errors in brewing time and quality due to user misinterpretation or forgetfulness, and existing solutions do not provide accurate and automatic control over the brewing process.
Innovation Solution
A coffee machine with a measuring means to automatically measure and control the water flow, using a pump and control unit to regulate the flow speed based on the amount of water to be brewed and a predetermined time, ensuring accurate and efficient brewing without manual intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If manual water volume measurement is used, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision and reliability deteriorate due to user error
Solution Approach 1:
The coffee machine performs self-measurement of water volume using an integrated measuring means (flow meter or level sensor), eliminating the need for user intervention. The system automatically detects the amount of water in the reservoir and uses this information to control the brewing process, thereby improving measurement precision while maintaining acceptable device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical measurement (user reading graduation marks) with automatic electronic measurement (flow meter or level sensor). This substitution of mechanical/manual measurement with electronic sensing improves measurement precision and reliability without significantly increasing overall device complexity.
2Productivity
If automatic pump control is implemented, then productivity is improved through consistent brewing, but device complexity increases due to control means and sensors
Solution Approach 1:
The coffee machine implements a feedback control system where the control means receives input from measuring means (flow meter or level sensor) about the actual water amount, compares it with the desired amount, and adjusts pump operation accordingly. This feedback loop ensures consistent brewing (improving productivity) while using a relatively simple control architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The pump control system operates autonomously based on measurements from integrated sensors, eliminating the need for manual intervention. The system self-regulates water flow and brewing time based on detected water volume, improving brewing consistency and efficiency without requiring complex user interfaces or manual adjustments.
3Manufacturing precision
If water flow speed is regulated based on measured amount, then manufacturing precision of brewing process is improved, but device complexity increases due to control loop
Solution Approach 1:
The control means uses feedback from the measuring means to dynamically adjust pump operation during brewing. The system continuously monitors water flow or reservoir level and regulates pump speed to maintain precise brewing conditions, ensuring consistent coffee quality while using a straightforward control algorithm.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the pump based on measured water volume. The control means adjusts flow rate, pumping duration, or pressure according to the detected water amount, enabling precise brewing control for different cup sizes without requiring complex mechanical adjustments or multiple hardware configurations.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3.1~3.2
AI summary
A coffee machine (1) is provided comprising: a water reservoir (3) arranged to provide water for brewing coffee, a container (5) arranged to receive the water and to hold a coffee substance, a pump (7) arranged to pump the water from the water reservoir (3) to the container (5), and a measuring means (9) arranged to measure an amount of water to be brewed in the water reservoir (3). The coffee machine (1) is arranged to measure an actual flow speed of water from the water reservoir (3) to the container (5). The coffee machine (1) comprises a control unit (11) arranged to control the pump (7) to generate a desired flow speed of water based on: the amount of water to be brewed, a predetermined period of time, and the actual flow speed. The amount of water is provided to the container (5) during the predetermined period of time.