Modular brewing unit for a coffee machine
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing coffee machine brewing units are designed for a specific quantity of coffee powder, limiting their ability to adapt to different fill quantities without significant redesign, which affects brewing conditions and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A modular brewing unit with interchangeable parts, including brewing cylinders and pistons of varying sizes, and replaceable inserts in the upper piston to accommodate different coffee powder quantities and optimize brewing conditions, allowing for flexible brewing without altering the outer dimensions or the driving part.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the brewing unit is designed for a specific quantity of coffee powder, then the brewing conditions are optimized for that quantity, but the adaptability to different fill quantities is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The brewing unit is divided into modular components: a driving part and an interchangeable brewing part. The brewing part can be exchanged to accommodate different coffee powder quantities, while the driving part remains constant. This segmentation allows adaptability without redesigning the entire system.
Solution Approach 2:
The driving part is designed with universal functionality to work with multiple types of brewing parts. The standardized interface and drive mechanism allow a single driving part to control brewing cylinders of different sizes, enabling one component to serve multiple functions across different brewing configurations.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the brewing unit is redesigned for different coffee powder quantities, then the adaptability improves, but the manufacturing cost and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the brewing unit into standardized driving part and interchangeable brewing parts, only the brewing parts need to be manufactured in different variants. The driving part is produced once and reused, significantly reducing manufacturing costs and time compared to redesigning the entire unit for each coffee quantity.
Solution Approach 2:
Different brewing parts are created by varying key parameters such as brewing chamber volume and piston dimensions, while maintaining standardized interface parameters. This allows efficient manufacturing of multiple brewing part variants from the same basic design template, reducing overall manufacturing complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the brewing chamber size is changed to accommodate different coffee powder quantities, then the brewing conditions are optimized, but the outer dimensions of the brewing unit must be altered
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple brewing chambers of different sizes are designed to nest within the same outer housing dimensions. The brewing cylinders and chambers are configured so that larger and smaller variants can be accommodated within the fixed external footprint of the brewing unit, maintaining consistent outer dimensions while varying internal capacity.
4Reliability
If the brewing unit is made entirely of plastic with compact design, then the sturdiness and faultless long-term operability are achieved, but the adaptability to different configurations is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The brewing unit is segmented into a permanent driving part and interchangeable brewing parts. This allows the reliable, sturdily constructed driving part to remain fixed while only the brewing parts are exchanged for different configurations, maintaining reliability while enabling adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The driving part is designed with universal compatibility to work with multiple brewing part types. This multi-functionality allows a single, reliably constructed driving mechanism to control various brewing configurations through standardized interfaces, ensuring long-term operability across different setups.
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
Enables efficient brewing of various coffee quantities by modifying the brewing part while maintaining the same driving part, enhancing adaptability and cost-effectiveness in producing a family of brewing units with improved brewing performance.
Implementation Method 1
the driving part comprises a spindle (18) which extends for the full height... Spindle (18) is hollow inside, and in the example of FIG. 1 is drivable by an electric motor (25)... On the outside thereof is a thread (19) with a trapezoidal cross sectional profile... threaded part (17a) on dog (17), which threaded part (17a) is in engagement with the thread (19) on spindle (18)
Implementation Method 2
upper piston (12) which is retained in fixed manner in frame (11)... lower piston (13) is axially displaceable relative to upper piston (12)... coffee powder in brewing chamber (16) is compressed by upper piston (12)
Implementation Method 3
lower piston (13) is held in place by a detent device (28) mounted on frame (11)... lower piston (13) has reached this position because brewing cylinder (14) has also been brought to its lowest position... and at the same time entrained lower piston (13) until it is engaged in detent device (28)
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a modular brewing unit for a coffee machine, comprising a brewing part and a drive part, which are arranged parallel one beside the other in a common frame, wherein the brewing part, arranged concentrically along a common first axis, has an upper piston, a lower piston and, between the two pistons, a brewing cylinder with a cylindrical bore for accommodating the two pistons, a brewing chamber being formed in the process, and wherein the drive part comprises a spindle which extends along a drive axis, parallel to the first axis, is mounted in the frame such that it can be rotated about said drive axis and is in engagement with the brewing cylinder and the lower piston such that, during a brewing cycle, upon rotation of the spindle, the brewing cylinder and the lower piston are displaced along the first axis relative to the upper piston, which is fixed in the frame. Different brewing units are realized in a simplified manner in that the drive part can be combined with brewing parts of different designs in order to provide for different brewing conditions.