Diffuser assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing brewed beverage systems face challenges in evenly distributing fluids onto flavorants, leading to undesirable flavors and qualities in the resulting beverages.
Innovation Solution
A diffuser assembly is provided, featuring a housing with an inlet port, a cavity, and elongate openings, along with ridges that distribute fluid evenly across the inner surface before it flows through the openings and onto the flavorant, ensuring a uniform circular distribution pattern.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional fluid distribution methods are used, then the system structure is simple, but the fluid distribution uniformity is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The diffuser housing is segmented into multiple functional zones: an inlet region receiving fluid, a cavity for fluid redistribution, and multiple elongate openings arranged in specific patterns. Ridges are segmented across the inner surface to create distinct flow channels. This segmentation allows the fluid to be distributed through multiple pathways simultaneously, achieving uniform distribution across the flavorant bed.
Solution Approach 2:
The diffuser assembly incorporates ridges with varying heights and positions at different locations on the inner surface. These local variations in ridge structure create zones with different flow characteristics, directing fluid to specific areas as needed. The elongate openings are also strategically positioned to provide localized fluid discharge where required, ensuring uniform overall distribution while accommodating local variations in flow requirements.
2Manufacturing precision
If fluid is distributed unevenly onto the flavorant, then the brewing process is simple, but the beverage quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The diffuser assembly performs preliminary fluid distribution before the fluid reaches the flavorant. The ridges and elongate openings pre-condition the fluid flow, creating a uniform distribution pattern in advance. This preliminary action ensures that when fluid contacts the flavorant, it is already evenly distributed, preventing concentrated distribution and ensuring consistent extraction and beverage quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The diffuser assembly acts as an intermediary component between the fluid supply and the flavorant. It mediates the fluid flow by receiving fluid from the supply, redistributing it through the cavity and ridges, and delivering it uniformly to the flavorant. This intermediary function transforms the potentially uneven fluid flow into a uniform distribution pattern, ensuring consistent brewing results.
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 diffuser assembly achieves a more uniform distribution of fluid across the flavorant, enhancing the flavor and taste of brewed beverages by ensuring consistent wetting of the coffee grounds during brewing.
Implementation Method 1
at least one ridge projecting from the inner surface of the diffuser housing and positioned to distribute the fluid evenly across the inner surface prior to outputting the fluid via the plurality of elongate openings
Data Source
AI summary
A diffuser assembly for diffusing fluid in a brewed beverage system is provided. The diffuser assembly includes a diffuser housing having an inlet port configured to receive fluid from a fluid supply, a channel in fluid communication with the inlet port, and a cavity in fluid communication with the channel. The diffuser housing further includes multiple elongate openings formed in an inner surface of the diffuser housing for allowing fluid within the cavity to flow there through. The diffuser housing also includes multiple ridges projecting from the inner surface of the diffuser housing and positioned to distribute the fluid evenly across the inner surface prior to outputting the fluid via the plurality of elongate openings. The diffuser assembly can further include a cover removably coupled to the diffuser housing. Related systems and methods are also provided.