Coffee Maker with Selective Pump-Driven Multi-Method Brewing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional coffee makers are limited to a single brewing technique, requiring multiple devices for different brewing methods, which is inconvenient for users who want to make various styles of brewed beverages.
Innovation Solution
A coffee maker design featuring a base portion with a support surface for a carafe, an immersion chamber fluidically coupled to a filter basket, and a water reservoir with a pump to selectively advance water, allowing for multiple brewing techniques such as immersion and pour-over methods.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a coffee maker is designed for a single brewing technique, then the device structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the adaptability and versatility are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The coffee maker integrates multiple brewing methods (immersion, pour-over, and other techniques) into a single device by providing a water reservoir that can selectively supply water to different brewing chambers, enabling one device to perform multiple brewing functions that previously required separate devices
Solution Approach 2:
The device is divided into separate functional modules including an immersion brewing chamber, a pour-over brewing chamber, and a shared water reservoir system. This segmentation allows each brewing method to have its dedicated space while sharing common components like the water reservoir and pump, reducing overall complexity while maintaining versatility
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple brewing devices are purchased for different brewing techniques, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple brewing devices into one unified system by integrating the water reservoir, pump, and control mechanisms that serve multiple brewing chambers. This merging eliminates the need for users to purchase and maintain separate brewing devices for different methods
3Adaptability or versatility
If a pump system is added to selectively advance water to multiple chambers, then brewing versatility is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The pump acts as an intermediary component that mediates water distribution between the water reservoir and multiple brewing chambers. By using this single intermediary device rather than separate water delivery systems for each chamber, the patent reduces manufacturing complexity while achieving versatile water distribution
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
Enables the production of brewed beverages using various methods in a single device, providing flexibility and convenience by integrating multiple brewing capabilities into one apparatus.
Implementation Method 1
A pump is in fluid communication with the water reservoir and operable to selectively advance water to one of the outlet disposed over the filter basket and the immersion chamber from the water reservoir
Implementation Method 2
a heating element disposed within the water reservoir and operable to heat water within the water reservoir
Data Source
AI summary
A brewing device includes a base portion with a support surface. A carafe is configured to be selectively supported on the support surface. A filter basket is removeably supported on an upper portion of the carafe. An immersion chamber is fluidically coupled to an outlet disposed over the filter basket. A water reservoir is fluidically coupled to both the immersion chamber and the outlet disposed over the filter basket. A pump is in fluid communication with the water reservoir and operable to selectively advance water to one of the outlet disposed over the filter basket and the immersion chamber from the water reservoir. The brewing device is configured to brew a beverage using a pour-over brewing method, an immersion brewing method, or a filtered immersion brewing method.