Machine and method for preparing coffee beverages

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing coffee beverage preparation machines require burdensome manual adjustments of extraction parameters each time the type of coffee beans is changed, and disposable cartridges increase production and disposal costs.

Innovation Solution

A machine with reusable containers, each containing specific coffee beans, equipped with identification means, interacts with recognition means to automatically select and set extraction parameters based on the type of beans, allowing dynamic modification and user customization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If manual adjustment of extraction parameters is required each time coffee bean type is changed, then the machine can adapt to different coffee types, but the operation becomes burdensome and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to adapt to different coffee typesVSAvoidmanual parameter adjustment burden

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables automatic identification and parameter selection through the microswitch and control unit, allowing the machine to self-adjust extraction parameters without user intervention when coffee bean type changes are detected

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical adjustment of parameters with an automated electrical control system that uses microswitches and control units to detect coffee bean type and automatically set appropriate extraction parameters

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Extent of automation

If disposable cartridges with identification codes are used, then the machine can automatically recognize coffee type, but production costs and material disposal increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomatic coffee type recognitionVSAvoidproduction and disposal costs

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The hopper serves multiple functions: it can contain different types of coffee beans (ground or whole), and through the microswitch system, it also performs identification and parameter selection functions that would otherwise require separate components or disposable cartridges

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of discarding expensive disposable cartridges with integrated identification systems, the patent recovers the identification function by using a reusable hopper with a microswitch that can continuously detect and identify different coffee types without consumable components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

3Reliability

If extraction parameters are manually modified every time bean type changes, then high quality characteristics can be obtained, but the process becomes time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoffee quality characteristicsVSAvoidparameter modification time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system pre-configures extraction parameters for different coffee bean types through the control unit and memory, so when a coffee type is identified via microswitch, the corresponding parameters are instantly retrieved and applied without requiring real-time manual adjustment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The microswitch provides feedback about the detected coffee bean type to the control unit, which then automatically selects and applies the appropriate extraction parameters from stored profiles, creating a closed-loop system that ensures quality without manual intervention

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS20250241477A1Machine and method for preparing coffee beverages

Publication Date: 2025.07.31 DE LONGHI APPLIANCES SRL

AI summary

A machine (10) for preparing coffee beverages comprises a plurality of containers (20, 20A, 20B, 20C) suitable to contain certain types of coffee beans, which can be selectively associated with a same housing seating (11) of the machine (10).