Coffee Maker with Accelerated Extraction for Multiple Brewing Cycles

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing coffee makers fail to combine low cost, high speed, and high-quality coffee production, particularly due to inefficiencies in resource usage and bitterness issues associated with traditional brewing methods.

Innovation Solution

A coffee-making system that employs multiple extractions and accelerated extraction techniques using a brew chamber and coffee chamber with a pressure differential device, allowing for rapid extraction of coffee with less coffee grounds and minimizing bitterness.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If siphon brewing method is used, then coffee flavor quality is improved, but extraction time becomes too long for practical use

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoffee flavor qualityVSAvoidextraction time
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by pre-heating water and pre-positioning coffee grounds in the brew chamber before the actual extraction begins. The microprocessor controller pre-configures the brewing parameters and initiates water heating in advance, so that when extraction starts, all conditions are already optimized and ready, reducing the actual extraction time while maintaining quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes key parameters of the brewing process including water temperature control, pressure differential application, and extraction time optimization. The microprocessor controller dynamically adjusts these parameters during brewing to achieve optimal flavor extraction in reduced time, deviating from traditional fixed-parameter siphon brewing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Manufacturing precision

If percolator brewing is used, then coffee flavor is improved, but bitterness occurs when left on high heat for too long

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoffee flavorVSAvoidbitterness
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system incorporates feedback mechanisms through the microprocessor controller that monitors brewing parameters in real-time. Based on sensor data about water temperature, flow rate, and extraction progress, the controller automatically adjusts heating power and water flow to prevent over-extraction and bitterness, while maintaining optimal flavor extraction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The brewing process is made dynamic rather than static. The system continuously adjusts water flow rate, heating intensity, and pressure differential during the brewing cycle based on real-time conditions, allowing the process to adapt and optimize itself to prevent bitterness while maintaining flavor quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Device complexity

If traditional coffee makers are used, then simplicity and low cost are maintained, but efficiency in coffee bean usage and production speed are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesimplicityVSAvoidproduction speed and efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The brew chamber is designed as a multi-functional universal component that can accommodate different coffee brewing methods and configurations. The same basic chamber structure supports various extraction techniques, allowing the system to maintain simplicity in core design while achieving high productivity through programmable control and optimized processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces manual mechanical brewing operations with automated electronic control systems. The microprocessor controller automates water flow control, heating regulation, and extraction timing, significantly increasing production speed and coffee bean usage efficiency while maintaining ease of operation through simple user interfaces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Loss of substance

If multiple extractions are performed from single grinds, then coffee bean usage efficiency is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoffee bean usage efficiencyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables continuous useful action by performing multiple sequential extractions from the same coffee grounds without requiring intermediate processing or disposal steps. The microprocessor controller automatically manages the sequence of extractions, water replenishment, and coffee collection, maintaining continuous productive operation that maximizes coffee bean usage efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

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 system produces flavorful coffee with reduced bitterness and lower coffee bean usage, achieving efficient and cost-effective high-quality coffee production.

Implementation Method 1

a pressure differential device, allowing for rapid extraction of coffee

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure differential: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 2

The vacuum source is operable to reduce the pressure in the vacuum chamber in a manner to draw the infusion through the filter and upper opening

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVacuum: Vacuum

Data Source

PatentEP3970504B1Coffee maker with features for rapid and/or multiple extraction processes, and associated systems and methods
Publication Date: 2023.10.18 VOGA COFFEE INC
  • EP3970504B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3970504B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3970504B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A coffee brewing system (1) includes a brew chamber (110), a coffee chamber (120), a filter device (130), and an accelerated extraction device (105) configured to accelerate a flow of coffee from the brew chamber to the coffee chamber. During a first brewing process, a controller (140) directs a first volume of hot water into the brew chamber to form a first a volume of coffee for delivery from the brew chamber into the coffee chamber. During a second brewing process, the controller directs a second volume of hot water into the brew to form a second volume of coffee for delivery into the coffee chamber to mix with the first volume of coffee. The controller activates the accelerated extraction device to move at least one of the first and second volumes of coffee.