Combined espresso coffee machine
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Solution Overview
Problem
Lever espresso machines are difficult to operate due to temperature regulation challenges, limited coffee volume, and safety concerns, while traditional machines are noisy and require specialized personnel; there is a need for a combined solution that addresses these issues.
Innovation Solution
A combined espresso coffee machine incorporating a water feeding hydraulic circuit, a temperature-controlled boiler, and both a pump and a lever pumping unit, allowing for adjustable pressure curves and precise temperature control, enabling both quiet and intuitive operation with programmable coffee volume and safety features.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If a lever pumping unit is used to generate water pressure manually, then the machine operates quietly without pumps, but temperature regulation becomes very difficult and the dispenser set remains very hot causing safety issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the water delivery system into two separate circuits: a first pumping hydraulic circuit with an electric pump for temperature-controlled operation, and a second pumping hydraulic circuit with a lever pumping unit for manual operation. This segmentation allows the machine to offer both quiet manual operation and easy temperature regulation as separate operational modes, resolving the contradiction between noise reduction and ease of temperature control.
2Device complexity
If the dispenser set has a standard volume to contain a determined quantity of water, then the structure is simple, but the quantity of coffee that can be dispensed is limited and not programmable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the coffee dispensing system dynamic by introducing a programmable control system that can adjust the volume of water delivered to the coffee panel. The dosing piston's displacement is controlled by a programmable unit, allowing the coffee volume to be adapted and programmed for different beverage types while maintaining a relatively simple dispenser structure.
3Reliability
If the lever pumping unit is used with ground coffee that is too fine and insufficient pressure, then the machine may lock, but using sufficient pressure requires highly qualified personnel to operate safely
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the purely mechanical lever pumping system with a hybrid system that includes an electric pump with programmable control. This substitution allows the machine to automatically adjust pressure and prevent locking issues without requiring highly qualified personnel, as the control system manages the complexity and safety parameters automatically.
4Ease of operation
If a pump is used in traditional coffee machines to generate constant pressure, then coffee flow can be controlled automatically, but the machine becomes markedly noisier
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a multi-functional machine that can operate in two modes: with the electric pump for automated coffee flow control in traditional machines, and with the lever pumping unit for quiet operation when manual control is preferred. This universality allows the machine to provide both automated flow control and quiet operation depending on the operational context.
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 machine provides precise temperature control, adjustable pressure, and programmable coffee volume, enhancing user safety and ease of use while maintaining quiet operation, making it accessible to both specialized and non-specialized operators.
Implementation Method 1
a lever pumping unit (26) provided with at least one pumping piston (28) manually actuated by means of a lever (30)
Implementation Method 2
Water pressure is thus generated by means of a piston (140) connected to the lever (110)
Implementation Method 3
the pressure necessary for the extraction of the coffee is generated by an electric pump (210) that pushes water on the coffee panel
Implementation Method 4
an espresso coffee machine is an instrument that makes it possible to prepare the drink known as espresso coffee... to dispense water at an optimal temperature (from 88°C to 99°C)
Implementation Method 5
The pre-loaded spring (120) pushes the piston (140) which compresses the water accumulated in a dispensing chamber (150)
Data Source
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AI summary
Described herein is an espresso coffee machine comprising a water feeding hydraulic circuit (12), at least one boiler (14) for heating water, located downstream of the water feeding hydraulic circuit (12), a coffee dispenser unit (16), located downstream of the boiler (14) and provided with at least one coffee panel (18) configured for mixing hot water with coffee, and a first pumping hydraulic circuit (20), provided with at least one pump (22) for the water and interposed between the water feeding hydraulic circuit (12) and the boiler (14). Between the water feeding hydraulic circuit (12) and the boiler (14) is interposed a second pumping hydraulic circuit (24), connected in parallel with the first pumping hydraulic circuit (20) and provided with a lever pumping unit (26). The lever pumping unit (26) works at room temperature, being physically separated both from the boiler (14), and from the coffee dispenser unit (16). The risk of damaging the internal components of the lever pumping unit (26) is thus eliminated, as is the risk of burns from contact with said lever pumping unit (26).