Method for controlling a coffee machine dispensing cycle
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing coffee machines struggle to ensure correct dispensing as boundary conditions such as coffee moisture and particle size vary, as the automatic selection of pre-infusion water based on coffee weight is insufficient to guarantee uniform steeping and prevent preferential water paths during infusion.
Innovation Solution
A coffee machine with a method that automatically detects the amount of ground coffee and infusion water, using an algorithm to set the pre-infusion step parameters, including time and water quantity, to adapt to varying boundary conditions, allowing for both automatic and manual settings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If automatic selection of pre-infusion water quantity based on coffee weight is used, then the dispensing process is simplified, but uniform steeping cannot be guaranteed when boundary conditions (moisture, particle size) vary
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts pre-infusion parameters (time, temperature, water quantity) based on real-time detection of coffee characteristics and boundary conditions, transitioning from static weight-based control to dynamic multi-parameter optimization that adapts to varying coffee properties
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes multiple parameters simultaneously (pre-infusion time, temperature, water quantity) rather than relying solely on water quantity, allowing the system to compensate for variations in coffee moisture and particle size while maintaining uniform steeping quality
2Manufacturing precision
If pre-infusion parameters are manually customized for each dispensing cycle, then uniform steeping can be optimized, but the complexity of operation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-service by automatically detecting coffee characteristics and boundary conditions, then autonomously optimizing and setting the appropriate pre-infusion parameters without requiring manual intervention, thus achieving both high precision and ease of operation
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback loops where detection means measure actual coffee properties and dispensing results, then use this information to automatically adjust pre-infusion parameters for subsequent cycles, continuously optimizing performance without user involvement
3Reliability
If detection means and algorithm processing are added to automatically adapt pre-infusion settings, then dispensing quality is maintained across varying conditions, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces complex mechanical adjustment systems with electronic detection means and algorithm-based control, using sensors and software processing to automatically determine optimal pre-infusion parameters, thereby achieving high reliability through intelligent control rather than mechanical complexity
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 uniform steeping of coffee grounds, preventing preferential water paths and optimizing the dispensing cycle by automatically adjusting pre-infusion settings based on detected conditions, thereby maintaining desired organoleptic properties across different coffee types and particle sizes.
Implementation Method 1
a first part of steeping the dose of ground coffee with a flow of water and a second part in which the flow of water is stopped before performing the infusion step for the necessary time for the water to be absorbed as uniformly as possible by the dose of ground coffee
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
In the method for controlling a dispensing cycle of a coffee machine (1), wherein the dispensing cycle comprises a pre-infusion step and an infusion step, in a temporal sequence, said pre-infusion step comprising a first part, wherein a flow of steeping water is supplied to a dose of ground coffee (9), and a second part, wherein the flow of steeping water is interrupted so as to enable uniform absorption of the pre-infusion water by the steeped dose of ground coffee (9), the infusion step comprising a flow of infusion water supplied to the previously steeped dose of ground coffee (9), the coffee machine (1) in a dispensing cycle automatically detects data representative of the amount constituting the dose of ground coffee (9) and/or the amount of infusion water dispensed and automatically sets the pre-infusion step for a subsequent dispensing cycle by means of an algorithm for processing the data.