Inline Brew Stream Sensing for Consistent Beverage Extraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing coffee brewing methods face challenges in producing consistent, high-quality beverages due to variable extraction rates and the inability to monitor brewing parameters in real-time, leading to potential under- or over-brewing, and difficulties in identifying coffee blends or brands used in brewing apparatus.
Innovation Solution
A brewing system equipped with an electronic control system, inline sensors, and actuators that measure and adjust brewing parameters in real-time, including grind time and water pressure, to ensure consistent extraction and identify coffee blends, while also monitoring system maintenance needs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If real-time monitoring and adjustment of brewing parameters is implemented, then brewing quality consistency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs sensors to continuously monitor brewing parameters such as water temperature, coffee bed pressure, and flow rate in real-time. This measurement data is fed back to the control system, which automatically adjusts brewing parameters to maintain optimal extraction conditions. The feedback loop ensures consistent brewing quality by detecting and correcting deviations from target parameters during the brewing process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual brewing parameter adjustment with automated electronic control systems. Sensors substitute for human sensory evaluation, and computerized control mechanisms replace manual intervention. This substitution of mechanical and human operations with automated systems enables precise, real-time monitoring and adjustment of brewing parameters, improving consistency while managing complexity through integration.
2Productivity
If extraction rate is increased to improve brewing speed, then productivity increases, but brewing quality deteriorates due to under-extraction
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts brewing parameters during the extraction process based on real-time sensor data. Water temperature, pressure, and flow rate are continuously optimized to maintain ideal extraction conditions throughout the brewing cycle. This dynamic control allows the system to achieve both high brewing speed and complete extraction by adapting parameters moment-by-moment rather than using fixed settings.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes real-time changes in brewing parameters such as water temperature, pressure, and flow rate to optimize extraction. The control system modifies these parameters dynamically during brewing based on sensor feedback, ensuring that extraction efficiency is maximized at each stage of the process. This enables rapid brewing while maintaining complete solubles extraction through adaptive parameter optimization.
3Manufacturing precision
If more coffee grounds are used to compensate for filtration losses, then brewing quality is improved, but loss of substance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses sensors to monitor extraction parameters and provides feedback to the control system, which adjusts brewing conditions to maximize extraction efficiency. By optimizing water temperature, pressure, and contact time based on real-time data, the system achieves complete extraction of desirable solubles with minimal coffee grounds, reducing waste without compromising brewing quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes brewing parameters such as water temperature, pressure, and flow rate to enhance extraction efficiency. By precisely controlling these parameters, the system maximizes the extraction of coffee solubles per unit of coffee grounds used, thereby improving brewing quality while minimizing the amount of coffee consumed and wasted in the process.
Data Source
AI summary
A brewing system and method are shown for brewing a beverage, such as coffee or tea. The system includes an inline sensor or sensor array that intercepts the dispensing stream and measures the time dependent properties of the brewed liquid at a particular location as the liquid is dispensed. In a particular embodiment, the total dissolved solids is measured to produce a coffee signature, which is sent to a controller that uses the time-dependent data to perform one or more of the following: evaluate the quality of the brewed liquid, control the brewing process for subsequent brewing cycles; identify the blend or brand of brewed product; and/or determine when maintenance is needed or advisable for the brewing system.