Modular Coffee Brewing Unit for Variable Powder Quantities
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing coffee machine brewing units are designed for a specific amount of coffee powder, limiting flexibility to process different quantities without requiring a complete redesign, which is costly and time-consuming.
Innovation Solution
A modular brewing unit with interchangeable parts, including differently sized brewing chambers and adjustable discharge mechanisms, allows for varying coffee powder amounts while maintaining the same external dimensions, enabling flexible brewing conditions without altering the drive part.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the brewing unit is designed for a specific amount of coffee powder, then the brewing performance is optimized for that quantity, but the flexibility to process different quantities is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The brewing unit is divided into separate modular components: a drive part that remains constant and brewing parts that can be exchanged. This segmentation allows the brewing chamber volume to be changed by swapping brewing parts while keeping the drive mechanism unchanged, thereby enabling flexibility in processing different coffee powder quantities without redesigning the entire system.
Solution Approach 2:
The drive part is designed with universal applicability to work with multiple types of brewing parts having different chamber volumes. The drive mechanism can accommodate brewing parts for various coffee quantities (e.g., 16g, 30g) through the same interface and control system, making the drive part multi-functional while maintaining optimized brewing performance for each configuration.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the brewing unit is redesigned to accommodate different coffee powder quantities, then the flexibility is improved, but the cost and time required for redesign increase
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the brewing unit into a permanent drive part and exchangeable brewing parts, the system eliminates the need for complete redesign when accommodating different coffee quantities. Only the brewing part needs to be modified or swapped, significantly reducing the time and resources required compared to redesigning the entire brewing unit.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a static, fixed-design brewing unit to a dynamic, reconfigurable system. The brewing part can be changed based on requirements, allowing the system to adapt quickly to different coffee powder quantities without undergoing lengthy redesign processes, thus reducing time loss while maintaining versatility.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the brewing chamber volume is changed to accommodate different coffee powder amounts, then the adaptability is improved, but the external dimensions of the brewing unit must be altered
Solution Approach 1:
The brewing part with variable chamber volume is nested within the fixed external frame of the brewing unit. Different brewing parts can be inserted into the same housing, allowing the external dimensions to remain constant while the internal brewing chamber volume changes to accommodate different coffee powder amounts. This nesting approach maintains a compact, space-efficient design.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of changing the external dimensions of the brewing unit to accommodate different coffee quantities, the design utilizes internal dimensional variation within the brewing chamber. The brewing part is designed with adjustable or variable internal volume while maintaining the same external footprint, effectively using another dimension (internal configuration) to achieve adaptability without altering the overall unit size.
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 cost-effective and time-efficient adaptation to different coffee powder quantities by modifying the brewing part while keeping the drive part unchanged, ensuring optimal brewing performance across various coffee powder amounts.
Implementation Method 1
the drive part comprises a spindle which extends along a drive axis parallel to the first axis, is rotatably mounted in the frame about this drive axis and is connected to the brewing cylinder and is engaged with the lower piston such that during a brewing cycle, rotation of the spindle translates the brewing cylinder and the lower piston along the first axis
Implementation Method 2
the coffee powder in the brewing chamber 16 is compressed between the two pistons 12 and 13 in such a way that it resists the brewing water flowing through, so that the brewing water has to be pressed through the brewing chamber at a pressure of about 8 bar
Implementation Method 3
hot water is fed in a known manner from below into the brewing chamber 16, which flows through the brewing chamber 16 and the ground coffee powder located therein from bottom to top
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a modular brewing unit (10') for a coffee machine, comprising a brewing part (10 b') and a drive part (10 a), which are arranged parallel one beside the other in a common frame (11), wherein the brewing part (10 b'), arranged concentrically along a common first axis (51), has an upper piston (12'), a lower piston (13') and, between the two pistons (12' and 13'), a brewing cylinder (14') with a cylindrical bore (15') for accommodating the two pistons (12' and 13'), a brewing chamber (16') being formed in the process, and wherein the drive part (10 a) comprises a spindle (18) which extends along a drive axis (31), parallel to the first axis, is mounted in the frame (11) such that it can be rotated about said drive axis (31) and is in engagement with the brewing cylinder (14') and the lower piston (13') such that, during a brewing cycle, upon rotation of the spindle (18), the brewing cylinder (14') and the lower piston (13') are displaced along the first axis relative to the upper piston (12'), which is fixed in the frame (11). Different brewing units are realized in a simplified manner in that the drive part (10 a) can be combined with brewing parts (10 b') of different designs in order to provide for different brewing conditions.