Method for creating a coffee drink in a brewing device of a coffee machine and coffee machine for carrying out the method
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional coffee machines face challenges in producing high-quality coffee beverages, especially with very fine grinding of coffee powder, as high water pressure is required to penetrate the powder, which can impair taste and lead to clogging issues due to insufficient pump pressure.
Innovation Solution
A method and coffee machine design that dynamically adjust the brewing water supply mode based on measured pressure and volume flow, switching between continuous and pulsed modes to ensure optimal water penetration and flow, even with fine grinding, by controlling the brewing water pump to maintain suitable pressure and flow rates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If high water pressure is applied to penetrate very fine ground coffee powder, then water penetration is improved, but taste quality deteriorates and clogging occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The brewing water pump is controlled to supply water in periodic pulses rather than continuously. The control unit switches the pump between active pumping phases and pause phases, creating periodic action that prevents excessive pressure buildup while maintaining adequate penetration of fine coffee powder, thereby avoiding taste impairment and clogging
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the brewing water supply by switching between continuous and pulsed modes based on real-time feedback from pressure sensors and flow rate sensors. This dynamic control allows the system to adapt to varying coffee powder characteristics and maintain optimal brewing conditions
2Stress or pressure
If pump pressure is increased to handle fine grinding, then water penetration is improved, but clogging risk increases due to insufficient pressure release
Solution Approach 1:
Pressure sensors and flow rate sensors provide real-time feedback to the control unit about the brewing chamber conditions. Based on this feedback, the control unit adjusts the pump operation to maintain pressure within optimal ranges, preventing both insufficient penetration and excessive pressure that could cause clogging
Solution Approach 2:
The pump operates in periodic pulses with active phases for water supply and pause phases for pressure release. This periodic action prevents sustained high pressure that could lead to clogging while ensuring adequate pressure during active phases for water penetration
3Productivity
If continuous pump operation is used, then productivity is maintained, but fine ground coffee causes clogging due to sustained high pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The pump operates in periodic pulses rather than continuously, switching between active pumping phases and pause phases. This maintains productivity by keeping the overall brewing process efficient while preventing sustained high pressure that causes clogging with fine ground coffee
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically switches between continuous and pulsed pump operation modes based on real-time feedback from sensors. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to maintain high productivity when conditions permit while switching to pulsed mode when fine ground coffee requires pressure management
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
This approach allows for the production of high-quality coffee beverages across various grinding degrees by ensuring sufficient pressure and flow, preventing clogging and maintaining taste quality, even with fine grinding where continuous operation might fail.
Implementation Method 1
a brewing water pump (23) for supplying brewing water to the brewing water inlet (35) under pressure
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for generating a coffee beverage in a brewing device (30) of an automatic coffee machine (10), and an automatic coffee machine (10) for implementing the method for generating a coffee beverage. With the goal of achieving a high quality of a coffee beverage obtained by the brewing process at different degrees of grinding of the ground material, the solution according to the invention provides that pressurized brewing water is supplied at a brewing water inlet (35) of the brewing device (30) according to a first brewing water supply mode during a first supply time period (ΔΤ1), and that a brewing water parameter is determined, during a second supply time period (ΔΤ2), which correlates with the volume flow (Q, Q3) and/or with the pressure (P, P3) of the supplied brewing water, and a mode adjustment variable is set for a second brewing water supply mode using the brewing water parameter, and that brewing water is supplied at the brewing water inlet (35) during the second supply time period (ΔΤ2) according to the second brewing water supply mode, wherein the mode adjustment variable defines at least one continuous mode for the second brewing water supply mode, in which the brewing water is continuously supplied, and a pulse mode for the second brewing water supply mode, in which the brewing water is supplied in pulses. The setting of the mode adjustment variable for the second brewing water supply mode comprises – depending on the brewing water parameter – at least one selection between the continuous mode for the second brewing water supply mode and the pulse mode for the second brewing water supply mode.