Espresso Supplying Group With Dual-Stage Water Temperature Control
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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 power usage, as the second heating stage is not capable of instant temperature control and optimizes electric power consumption.
Innovation Solution
The machine features independently controllable and suitably sized heating stages, including a boiler with a heat exchanger and a concentric or integrated accumulation and infusion chamber configuration, allowing precise temperature control and reduced power consumption by using a heat exchanger to preheat water and a heating element within the accumulation chamber to maintain optimal temperature during coffee preparation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a single heating stage is used in the boiler, then the machine structure is simple, but the temperature control precision is insufficient and thermal inertia cannot be overcome
Solution Approach 1:
The heating system is divided into two independent heating stages: a first heating stage (boiler) that heats water to high temperature (95-98°C), and a second heating stage (heating element in accumulation chamber) that maintains precise temperature. This segmentation allows each stage to be optimized for its specific function, resolving the contradiction between temperature control precision and structural complexity.
2Reliability
If a housing comprising the infusion chamber is heated by a heating device, then the infusion chamber temperature can be maintained, but thermal inertia prevents fine optimization of coffee preparation temperature
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the second heating function from the housing/infusion chamber assembly and places it directly in the accumulation chamber. The heating element is positioned to heat water directly rather than heating the housing indirectly. This extraction eliminates thermal inertia from the housing structure, allowing precise temperature control while maintaining stability.
3Reliability
If the second heating stage is designed with sufficient power to overcome thermal inertia, then temperature stability is improved, but overall electric power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The first heating stage preheats the water to high temperature (95-98°C) in the boiler before it enters the accumulation chamber. This preliminary heating action means the second heating stage only needs to maintain temperature with minimal power input, rather than heating from cold. The result is improved temperature stability with significantly reduced overall power consumption.
4Loss of energy
If a heat exchanger is used to preheat water, then energy efficiency is improved, but the device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The heat exchanger is merged with the accumulation chamber structure, forming an integrated unit where the heat exchanger constitutes part of the accumulation chamber wall or structure. This merging eliminates the need for separate heat exchanger components, reducing device complexity and space requirements while maintaining energy efficiency through direct thermal transfer to the water in the accumulation chamber.
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
This configuration enables dynamic control of coffee supply temperature within ±4 to 5 degrees Celsius during espresso preparation, reducing overall electric power usage by approximately 70% compared to machines with a single heating stage, while ensuring consistent temperature and optimal coffee quality.
Implementation Method 1
an electrically-operated valve (48) connected to the accumulation chamber (41) and arranged to allow water to pass from the accumulation chamber (41) to the infusion chamber (43)
Implementation Method 2
a heating element (46) of predetermined power, both connected in known manner to control unit (18), arranged to heat water contained in the accumulation chamber (41)
Implementation Method 3
The accumulation chamber (41) includes a temperature probe or sensor (45) and a heating element (46) of predetermined power
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
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.