Kitchen appliance for preparing a beverage and method of operating same
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional kitchen appliances for beverage preparation either rely on expensive and noisy mechanical pumps or lack the ability to operate under both pressurized and ambient conditions, leading to inefficient brewing and potentially weak beverages.
Innovation Solution
A kitchen appliance design that includes a hot water generator and a system allowing operation in both pressurized and ambient modes without mechanical pumps, using a hot water generator to heat and circulate water, and a pressure release valve to manage pressure, ensuring a stronger brew by optimizing contact time between water and infusible material.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If mechanical liquid or air pumps are used to pressurize the brewing system, then the brewing speed is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical pumps with a thermal system. The hot water generator heats water to create steam, and the phase change from liquid to gas generates pressure naturally, eliminating the need for mechanical pumping components while maintaining brewing speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the phase transition of water from liquid to steam. By heating water in the hot water generator, steam is generated which creates pressure to drive water through the brewing system, replacing mechanical pressurization with thermal-phase-based pressurization.
2Speed
If mechanical liquid or air pumps are used to pressurize the brewing system, then the brewing speed is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive mechanical pumps with a thermal system using the hot water generator. This substitution reduces manufacturing costs by eliminating complex mechanical components while maintaining the brewing speed through thermal-driven fluid movement.
Solution Approach 2:
By utilizing the phase transition of water to steam, the patent creates a natural pressurization mechanism that eliminates the need for expensive mechanical pumps, thereby reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining brewing performance.
3Productivity
If mechanical pumps are used to push water through infusible material quickly, then productivity is improved, but the beverage strength decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic control of water flow through the brewing chamber. The system can adjust between faster flow rates for higher productivity and slower flow rates for stronger extraction, allowing optimization of both brewing efficiency and beverage strength based on operational needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The phase transition mechanism allows for controlled pressure application. By regulating the steam generation and pressure buildup, the system can optimize contact time between water and infusible material, achieving both high productivity and strong beverage extraction without the need for mechanical pumps.
4Quantity of substance
If a pressurized system is used for brewing, then beverage strength is improved, but the device generates harmful noise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical pressurization systems that generate noise with a thermal-based pressurization system. The hot water generator uses heating elements and phase change to create pressure, eliminating the noisy mechanical components while maintaining the pressurized brewing environment needed for strong beverage extraction.
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 appliance achieves a stronger brew by maintaining pressure to enhance extraction while being cost-effective and reducing noise, offering a versatile brewing experience without the need for mechanical pumps.
Implementation Method 1
A hot water generator ('HWG') has an inlet end, an outlet end and a passageway extending therebetween
Implementation Method 2
The pressure release valve is moveable between an open position to permit the flow of fluid therethrough and a closed position to prevent the flow of fluid therethrough
Data Source
AI summary
A kitchen appliance includes a first reservoir for receiving a liquid to be used for preparing a beverage. A hot water generator (‘HWG’) has an inlet end, an outlet end and a passageway extending therebetween. The inlet end of the HWG is connected to the first reservoir. Liquid from the first reservoir flows into the HWG through the inlet end. A second reservoir is connected to the outlet end of the HWG. The second reservoir includes a discharge port, a gas vent and a skirt extending from a wall of the second reservoir further than the gas vent. The skirt at least partially surrounds the gas vent. At least a portion of the skirt is spaced laterally inwardly from an outer sidewall of the second reservoir.