Machine for brewing tea
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional tea preparation methods consume excessive electrical energy and involve complex handling processes, often resulting in a loss of taste due to limited brewing time and unnecessary heating, while requiring user presence and inefficient water usage.
Innovation Solution
A remotely controllable tea preparation machine that minimizes electrical energy consumption by allowing individual setting of brew temperature and time via a control panel or smartphone app, automating the brewing process, and dispensing tea directly into a container, eliminating the need for user intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If a heating element is continuously maintained at an elevated temperature to minimize the temperature difference between initial and final water temperature, then the heating efficiency is improved, but the standby current and electrical energy consumption increase unnecessarily
Solution Approach 1:
The heating element operates periodically rather than continuously. The control unit activates the heating element only when water needs to be heated, and deactivates it when the target temperature is reached or when no brewing is scheduled. This periodic operation eliminates the need for continuous high-temperature maintenance, thereby reducing standby current and overall electrical energy consumption while maintaining heating efficiency when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses temperature sensors and control units to automatically monitor and regulate the heating process. The control unit receives temperature signals, compares them with target temperatures, and automatically activates or deactivates the heating element without user intervention. This self-regulating mechanism prevents energy waste by ensuring the heating element operates only when and where needed.
2Ease of operation
If more water than required is heated to prepare tea, then the brewing process is simplified, but the electrical energy consumption increases unnecessarily
Solution Approach 1:
The system heats water locally and only to the extent needed for each brewing operation. Different brewing chambers can be heated independently based on their specific requirements. The control unit calculates the exact amount of water needed based on the selected tea type and brewing parameters, then heats only that specific quantity, avoiding the waste of heating excess water.
Solution Approach 2:
The system adjusts heating parameters (temperature, time, quantity) based on the specific brewing requirements. The control unit receives input about the desired tea type and automatically sets the appropriate water quantity and heating temperature. This parameter optimization ensures that only the necessary amount of water is heated to the required temperature, eliminating energy waste from heating excess water.
3Productivity
If the brewing time is limited to enable automatic discharge, then the preparation speed is improved, but the taste quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The brewing time is made dynamic and adjustable based on the specific tea type and user preferences. The control unit allows selection of different brewing durations for different tea varieties (e.g., green tea requires shorter steeping than black tea). This dynamic adjustment enables the system to optimize both preparation speed and taste quality for each brewing scenario, rather than using a fixed brewing time.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates multiple brewing modes and parameters to accommodate different tea types and brewing preferences. The control unit can select from various brewing profiles (temperature, time, agitation) depending on the tea being prepared. This multi-functionality allows the system to maintain high preparation speed while adapting brewing parameters to preserve taste quality for different tea varieties.
4Measurement precision
If the machine requires user presence for operation, then the control precision is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The machine performs self-monitoring and self-control through integrated sensors and control units. Temperature sensors continuously monitor water temperature, and the control unit automatically adjusts heating to maintain the target temperature. The system can autonomously execute brewing cycles, monitor completion, and initiate discharge without user presence. This self-service capability maintains precise control while dramatically improving user convenience.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback loops where sensors continuously monitor brewing parameters (temperature, time, water level) and relay information to the control unit. The control unit processes this feedback and makes real-time adjustments to maintain optimal brewing conditions. This automated feedback mechanism ensures precise control equivalent to manual operation while eliminating the need for constant user presence.
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 machine reduces energy consumption, optimizes tea preparation time, maintains high-quality tea equivalent to classical methods, and allows remote operation, simplifying the process while ensuring efficient water use and optimal brewing conditions.
Implementation Method 1
all machines which contain a heater or are disposed to heat a predetermined amount of water in the shortest possible time contain a heating element
Implementation Method 2
The water is pumped through the heating system by means of pump (16)
Implementation Method 3
whereby the water is heated by the heating system (15) until the set temperature is reached
Data Source
AI summary
A machine which contains a housing (14) having a placement surface for the beverage container (13), wherein a removable brewing container (8) having a drain stub (19) and having a drain valve (10) that can be electrically or electromagnetically opened and closed is arranged in the housing (14). The actual brewing process is automatically controlled by a control unit (11). The water is pumped by a vibrating armature pump (16) through a heating system (15) and through a water outlet in the cover (4) having an integrated temperature sensor (24) through the cover (5) into the brewing container (8). A pressure sensor (12) ensures that the water is not heated above the pressure-dependent current boiling point. The control unit (11) can be programmed by means of a control panel (7) on the housing, for at least the brewing temperature, the brewing duration, and the start of a brewing cycle. Furthermore, a radio interface and an associated antenna (9) are present, for the communication of the control unit (11) with a smartphone by means of an established communication standard such as WIFI or Bluetooth, or with a computer or laptop via the internet, such that the machine can be remotely operated.