Espresso Supplying Group With Dual-Stage Heating for Stable Infusion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing espresso coffee machines with multiple heating stages struggle to finely control coffee supply temperature due to thermal inertia and inefficient electric power usage, as they lack precise control over the infusion temperature and are not optimized for energy consumption.
Innovation Solution
A machine with independently controllable and suitably sized heating stages, including an accumulation chamber that dynamically controls the infusion temperature and hydraulically feeds the infusion means, allowing for precise temperature management and reduced energy consumption by using a separate heat exchanger and heating element for each supplying group.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a heating element is housed within a housing comprising the infusion chamber to maintain thermostatically-controlled temperature, then the infusion chamber temperature can be maintained, but thermal inertia phenomena prevent fine optimization of coffee preparation temperature
Solution Approach 1:
The heating system is divided into two independent stages: a boiler for heating water to near-boiling temperature, and a separate heating element within the infusion chamber for precise temperature maintenance. This segmentation allows each component to perform its function optimally without thermal inertia interference between them.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary thermal management system where the boiler prepares hot water that is then transferred to the infusion chamber. This intermediary approach allows the bulk heating to occur in the boiler while the infusion chamber uses minimal heating power for precise temperature control, avoiding the thermal inertia problem of directly heating the chamber housing.
2Temperature
If multiple heating stages are used to control water temperature, then temperature control capability is improved, but electric power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The boiler performs preliminary heating of a large volume of water to the required temperature before use. This pre-heating action allows the smaller heating element in the infusion chamber to only perform minor temperature adjustments, significantly reducing its power consumption while maintaining precise temperature control.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating element in the infusion chamber operates periodically rather than continuously, activating only when the temperature sensor detects that the chamber temperature has fallen below the predetermined value. This periodic operation reduces overall power consumption while maintaining temperature control.
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 achieves precise control over coffee supply temperature, optimizing energy efficiency by reducing overall electric power usage and maintaining homogeneous temperature during coffee preparation, with temperature fluctuations controlled within ±4 to 5 degrees, and reducing power consumption from 700 W to 200 W for preparing a pair of cups.
Implementation Method 1
an accumulation chamber (41) ... arranged to directly heat the liquid to the infusion temperature
Implementation Method 2
a boiler for heating a liquid necessary for infusion preparation
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to an infusion machine comprising a boiler having first heating means provided for heating a liquid suitable for infusion preparation, in particular for espresso coffee preparation, at least one supplying group (14), and infusion means (43, 43b) provided for infusion preparation and associated with second heating means (46). The supplying group (14) in the machine further comprises an accumulation chamber (41) hydraulically connected to the infusion means (43, 43b) and arranged to contain a certain amount of liquid. Second heating means (46) are provided, which are arranged to directly heat the liquid contained in the accumulation chamber (41) for hydraulically feeding the infusion means (43). The invention also relates to the supplying group and the method of manufacturing the machine.