Infusion unit for making beverages with a hydraulic closing system
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beverage producing machines, particularly espresso makers, face difficulties in efficiently adjusting the brewing chamber volume to the amount of ingredients loaded, leading to inconsistent coffee quality and wastage of energy due to excess water.
Innovation Solution
An infusion unit with a hydraulic actuator that adjusts the brewing chamber volume based on the amount of ingredients, using a sliding and sealing brewing piston to ensure optimal compaction and water usage, and a pressure control system to maintain constant brewing conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the brewing chamber volume is fixed, then the device structure is simple, but the coffee quality becomes inconsistent when different amounts of ingredients are loaded
Solution Approach 1:
The brewing chamber volume is made dynamically adjustable through a piston mechanism that can move vertically within the chamber. The piston position is controlled by a hydraulic system that responds to the amount of coffee powder loaded, automatically adapting the chamber volume to match the ingredient quantity and ensure consistent brewing conditions.
2Quantity of substance
If more coffee powder is loaded in the brewing chamber, then stronger coffee can be produced, but the closing system is overstressed
Solution Approach 1:
The piston mechanism dynamically adjusts the brewing chamber volume based on the amount of coffee powder loaded. When more coffee is loaded, the piston moves to increase the chamber volume, maintaining appropriate pressure and stress levels on the closing system. The hydraulic control system automatically regulates the piston position to prevent over-stressing while accommodating varying coffee quantities.
3Productivity
If insufficient coffee powder is loaded, then the brewing chamber is underutilized, but a large amount of water remains unused at the end of brewing
Solution Approach 1:
The piston mechanism ensures optimal brewing chamber utilization by adjusting the chamber volume to match the amount of coffee powder loaded. When less coffee is loaded, the piston moves to reduce the chamber volume, ensuring that the water quantity matches the coffee quantity. This eliminates wasted water that would otherwise be heated and not fully utilized, reducing energy loss.
4Device complexity
If manual force is used to close the brewing chamber, then the device is simpler, but the operator ability affects the amount of coffee powder that can be loaded
Solution Approach 1:
The manual mechanical closing system is replaced with a hydraulic actuation system that controls the piston movement. The hydraulic system provides automated control of the brewing chamber volume adjustment, eliminating the need for manual force application. This substitution enables flexible adaptation to varying coffee powder amounts without being limited by operator strength or ability.
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 infusion unit ensures consistent coffee quality by adapting the brewing chamber volume to the ingredients, minimizing excess water and energy usage, and simplifying the brewing process for both automatic and manual machines.
Implementation Method 1
a hydraulic actuator that controls the movement of the brewing piston so as to adjust the volume of the brewing chamber
Implementation Method 2
a sealing arrangement for sliding and sealing engagement with an inner wall of the receptacle when the brewing piston is in the receptacle
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The infusion unit comprises a receptacle (25, 27) for receiving at least one ingredient in bulk form for the preparation of a beverage, as well as a brewing piston (33) arranged for insertion in the receptacle and forming a brewing chamber therewith. The brewing piston (33) is provided with a sealing arrangement (35) for sliding and sealing engagement with an inner wall of the receptacle when the brewing piston is in the receptacle. A hydraulic actuator (51) controls the movement of the brewing piston (33) so as to adjust the volume of the brewing chamber by moving the brewing piston in a brewing position inside the receptacle. A hot water delivery circuit (39) is further provided, for delivering hot water in the interior of the brewing chamber and performing a brewing cycle.