Coffee Machine Hot Water Dosing via Intermittent Valve Mixing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hot water supplying devices for coffee machines, particularly those used in espresso machines, face challenges in providing temperature control for various beverages, leading to unstable temperature oscillations and inability to quickly adjust to different beverage types, resulting in suboptimal water temperature for preparation.
Innovation Solution
A hot water supplying device with a control unit that manages electromagnetic valves to intermittently inject hot and cold water into a condensation chamber, allowing for dynamic temperature control based on user input, using a micro-controller to calculate and adjust the supply cycles of hot and cold water to achieve the desired temperature.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single hot water tank is used for both espresso coffee preparation and hot water service supply, then the device structure is simplified, but temperature stability deteriorates due to heavy temperature oscillations when large amounts of hot water are supplied
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the water supply system into two separate tanks: a first hot water tank for espresso coffee preparation and a second hot water tank for hot water service supply. This segmentation allows each tank to maintain independent temperature stability, preventing the temperature oscillations that occur when a single tank serves both purposes. The controller independently manages heating elements for each tank, ensuring stable temperatures despite varying demand patterns.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the hot water tank is used for both espresso coffee preparation and hot water service supply, then resource utilization is improved, but temperature control precision deteriorates as the system privileges espresso coffee requirements
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the water supply into two separate tanks, the system maintains resource efficiency while achieving precise temperature control for each application. Each tank can be heated to its optimal temperature independently, with the controller managing heating elements separately for each tank, thereby eliminating the temperature compromise that occurs in single-tank systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by providing different temperature characteristics to different parts of the system. The first hot water tank is optimized for espresso coffee preparation with temperatures suited for coffee extraction, while the second hot water tank is optimized for hot water service supply with temperatures appropriate for various hot beverages. This localized temperature optimization ensures precise temperature control for each specific application.
3Device complexity
If pressurized hot water from the boiler is directly used for hot water service supply, then the device structure is simplified, but temperature suitability deteriorates as the water temperature is too high for most hot beverages
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the hot water service supply function from the high-temperature boiler system by introducing a separate second hot water tank. This tank receives and stores hot water at a lower, more suitable temperature for various hot beverages, separating it from the boiler's high-temperature pressurized steam generation function. This extraction allows the system to provide appropriately tempered water for different beverage types.
4Temperature
If cold water is mixed with overheated boiler water in a condensation chamber, then the water temperature becomes suitable for hot beverages, but the ability to quickly adjust temperature for different beverage types deteriorates due to predetermined regulation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic temperature control by equipping the second hot water tank with an independent heating element and controller. This allows the system to actively adjust and maintain different temperature settings based on the specific beverage being prepared, rather than relying on fixed predetermined mixing ratios. The controller can modify heating parameters in real-time to match the temperature requirements of different hot beverages.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables parameter changes by allowing the controller to adjust the temperature of the second hot water tank according to different beverage requirements. The heating element can modify the water temperature parameter dynamically, and the controller can change operational parameters such as heating power and duration to achieve the optimal temperature for each type of hot beverage, providing versatility and adaptability.
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 instant and precise temperature control of hot water supplied, ensuring optimal temperature for different beverages without significant temperature fluctuations, allowing for easy adjustment based on the type of beverage being prepared.
Implementation Method 1
a condensation chamber (11) configured so as to realise a condensation of the injected hot water
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
The present invention relates to a hot water supplying device for coffee machines comprising a condensation chamber having at least one output duct for supplying the hot water, a first duct having a first flow rate and arranged for injecting water or steam at a first temperature into the chamber, a second duct having a second flow rate and arranged for injecting water at a second temperature into the chamber. According to the invention, the device further comprises first interception means (21) applied to the first duct (12) and arranged for supplying a first certain amount of water on the basis of the first flow rate by intercepting or not intercepting water injection by respective first time periods of interception or not interception in a certain time interval and second interception means (31) applied to the second duct (13) and arranged for supplying a second amount of water, calculated on the basis of the second flow rate, by intercepting or not intercepting the water injection by respective second time periods of interception or not interception in the certain time interval. The invention relates also to a method for supplying hot water with a device for a coffee machine, to a computer program product loadable in the memory of a computer for realising the method according to the invention and to a coffee machine that comprises the device.