Coffeemaker Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing coffeemakers lack the ability to dispense coffee in selectable sizes using a separate heating device, failing to provide an efficient method for brewing, storing, and reheating coffee while allowing for customizable serving sizes.
Innovation Solution
A coffeemaker apparatus with a housing containing a supply tank, brew tank, and dispenser pipe system, where a supply heater and dispenser heater work in conjunction with control circuits to heat and dispense coffee, allowing for adjustable temperature and volume settings through a user interface, enabling the brewing and reheating of coffee with customizable serving sizes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a separate heating device is used for brewing and reheating coffee, then coffee quality and temperature control are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heating system is divided into two independent heating devices: a brewing heater for heating water during coffee brewing, and a reheating heater for reheating stored coffee. This segmentation allows each heater to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall system manageability despite the increased complexity.
2Loss of energy
If coffee is stored at unheated temperature and then reheated by exchanging heat with preheated water, then energy efficiency is improved, but the ability to provide selectable serving sizes and temperatures is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides dynamic control over coffee serving parameters through a control circuit that allows users to select different serving sizes and temperatures. The reheating process can be adjusted to deliver coffee at various temperatures rather than a fixed temperature, and serving sizes can be varied by controlling the dispensing amount from the storage container.
3Productivity
If a batch of coffee is brewed and stored, then productivity is improved, but the ability to dispense individual servings with customizable parameters is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The coffeemaker system performs multiple functions: brewing coffee in batch mode for efficiency, storing the brewed coffee in a storage container for later use, reheating the stored coffee to various temperatures, and dispensing customizable serving sizes. This multi-functionality allows the system to maintain productivity while providing serving customization options.
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 efficient brewing, storage, and reheating of coffee with customizable serving sizes, providing users with precise control over temperature and volume, enhancing user convenience and coffee quality.
Implementation Method 1
A supply heater is coupled to the supply pipe for selectively heating the water flowing through the supply pipe from the supply tank
Implementation Method 2
a dispenser heater is coupled to the dispenser pipe for selectively heating the brewed coffee flowing through the dispenser pipe
Implementation Method 3
The supply heater includes pumping means for urging the water through the supply pipe away from supply tank
Implementation Method 4
A dispenser pump is coupled to the dispenser pipe for selectively urging the brewed coffee from the brew tank through the dispenser pipe to the dispensing end
Data Source
AI summary
A coffeemaker apparatus for brewing, storing, and reheating coffee includes a coffeemaker which brews a batch of coffee into a tank, then dispenses individual servings of coffee on demand while reheating the coffee as it dispenses.