Beverage brewing systems and methods
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current single-serve, pod-style beverage maker machines require users to wait for each brew cycle to finish or use multiple pods, limiting simultaneous or successive brewing of multiple servings.
Innovation Solution
A brewing mechanism with multiple channels and heating elements allows simultaneous or successive brewing of multiple beverage pods into a single or multiple containers, using independent pumps and temperature control for each channel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a single-serve pod-style beverage maker brews one pod per cycle, then the device complexity is low, but the productivity is limited to one serving per brew cycle
Solution Approach 1:
The brewing system is divided into multiple independent channels (first channel, second channel, third channel) that can operate simultaneously or sequentially. Each channel has its own receptacle and can process a separate pod, allowing multiple servings to be brewed in parallel without requiring a completely new system architecture
Solution Approach 2:
The brewing mechanism is designed to handle multiple types of containers (pods and filter baskets) through a universal receptacle system. The same brewing mechanism can accommodate different pod types or ground coffee filters, providing multi-functionality without requiring separate brewing systems for different beverage types
2Productivity
If multiple pods are brewed simultaneously using separate machines, then the productivity increases, but the loss of time for setup and operation increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple brewing channels are merged into a single integrated system with a common water reservoir and control mechanism. This allows simultaneous brewing of multiple pods in different receptacles without requiring separate machines, eliminating the need to wait for one brew to finish before starting another while maintaining compact operation
3Device complexity
If a single water reservoir supplies multiple channels, then the device complexity is reduced, but the temperature control precision becomes more difficult to maintain
Solution Approach 1:
A heating element is positioned to preheat water in the common reservoir before it is distributed to multiple channels. This preliminary heating action ensures that water enters all receptacles at the required brewing temperature, maintaining temperature control precision despite using a single reservoir
Solution Approach 2:
The heating element acts as an intermediary between the water reservoir and the brewing channels. It mediates the temperature of the water before distribution, ensuring consistent thermal conditions across all channels while allowing them to share a common water source
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 simultaneous or successive brewing of multiple servings into separate or combined containers, reducing wait times and enhancing brewing flexibility.
Implementation Method 1
heating the fluid from the fluid reservoir to a desired temperature with a heating element located between the fluid reservoir and at least one of the first receptacle or the second receptacle
Implementation Method 2
The purge assembly can include a check-valve and an air pump, and configured and adapted for flushing fluid back to the fluid reservoir
Data Source
AI summary
A mechanism for a brewing machine includes a fluid reservoir, a first receptacle downstream from the fluid reservoir, a second receptacle downstream from the fluid reservoir, a first channel and a second channel. The first channel is configured and adapted to provide a fluid from the fluid reservoir to the first receptacle. The second channel is configured and adapted to provide a fluid from the fluid reservoir to the second receptacle.