Coffee machine with pre-infusion system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing coffee machines with pre-infusion systems face inefficiencies due to the time required to heat water and incomplete wetting of the coffee dose, leading to suboptimal beverage extraction.
Innovation Solution
A coffee machine equipped with a pulsing electrovalve that supplies intermittent flows of pressurized hot water with pulses lasting ≤1 second, allowing for relaxation of the coffee dose and increased water flow during extraction, enhancing pre-infusion and extraction efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If continuous pre-infusion is used to wet the coffee dose, then the coffee is thoroughly wetted, but the coffee dose becomes excessively compressed reducing water flow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by using intermittent pre-infusion cycles with alternating wetting and drying phases. The coffee dose is wetted for a first time period, then allowed to dry for a second time period, creating periodic moisture variation that prevents excessive compression while maintaining adequate saturation for extraction.
2Power
If high pressure (9-11 bar) is applied during extraction, then extraction efficiency should increase, but the compressed coffee dose reduces water flow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing intermittent pre-infusion treatment before the main extraction process. This preliminary wetting-drying cycling prepares the coffee dose structure in advance, creating optimal conditions for subsequent high-pressure extraction by preventing excessive compression while ensuring adequate saturation.
3Temperature
If the heater is used for pre-infusion, then water is heated for extraction, but the time required to heat water reduces productivity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by using intermittent pre-infusion cycles that alternate between wetting and drying phases. This periodic approach allows rapid pre-infusion without requiring prolonged heating, as the intermittent nature of the cycles reduces the total time needed to achieve effective saturation compared to continuous pre-infusion.
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
The pulsing electrovalve ensures rapid, efficient, and reliable pre-infusion, preventing excessive compression and improving beverage extraction efficiency by maintaining counter-pressure and continuous water flow.
Implementation Method 1
a pulsing electrovalve provided with a shutter intended to open and close the communication in the water system with opening and closing time that is equal to or lower than 1 second
Implementation Method 2
a heater suitable for heating the water to a temperature that is suitable for extracting the beverage
Implementation Method 3
a pump intended to supply pressurized water at a pressure of approximately 9-11 bar
Implementation Method 4
a water impulse sufficient to saturate the coffee dose
Data Source
AI summary
A coffee machine includes a filter holder intended to contain at least one coffee dose, a dispensing unit with dispensing nozzles intended to send a flow of hot water on the coffee dose, a water system provided with a pump to supply pressurized water towards the dispensing nozzles, a heater to heat the water to be supplied to the dispensing nozzles, a dispensing valve to enable/disable the supply of hot water towards the dispensing nozzles, and a pre-infusion valve disposed upstream the dispensing valve. The pre-infusion valve is set in such a way as to operate in pulsed mode for a pre-infusion time of at least 4 seconds, with opening and closing time equal to or lower than 1 second.