Pivoting Brew Basket with Siphon Flow Control for Automated Brewing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beverage brewing systems lack the ability to automatically achieve a desired flavor profile and often require manual intervention for flow control and positioning, which can lead to inconsistencies in brewing.
Innovation Solution
A beverage brewing system with a rotatable drip stop assembly and a brew basket assembly that moves between retracted and extended positions, featuring a collar and linkage system for maintaining relative position and controlling fluid flow through a siphon or outlet, allowing for selective restriction of fluid flow and sealing, thereby enabling precise brewing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual intervention is used for flow control and positioning, then ease of operation is improved, but consistency in brewing deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses automatic flow control mechanisms including a drip stop assembly and siphon-based flow restriction that operate without manual intervention. The collar and linkage system automatically positions the brew basket, and the siphon inherently restricts flow based on liquid level, eliminating the need for manual positioning and flow control while ensuring consistent brewing results.
Solution Approach 2:
The siphon mechanism provides automatic feedback-based flow control by using the liquid level itself to regulate flow rate. When the liquid level rises, the siphon activates and maintains a consistent flow rate through the outlet, creating a self-regulating system that ensures brewing consistency without manual intervention.
2Reliability
If automated flow control is implemented, then brewing consistency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs a siphon-based hydraulic mechanism for automatic flow control. The siphon tube utilizes fluid dynamics and pressure differential created by liquid level to automatically restrict and regulate flow through the outlet, providing sophisticated flow control through relatively simple hydraulic principles rather than complex mechanical or electronic systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The collar and linkage system changes the positional parameter of the brew basket automatically, transitioning it between retracted and extended positions based on brewing phase requirements. This parameter change enables the system to achieve different flow control states and sealing configurations without adding complex control mechanisms.
3Manufacturing precision
If the brew basket is sealed during movement, then brewing precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing mechanism operates automatically through the collar and linkage system. As the brew basket moves between retracted and extended positions, the collar rotates and the linkage automatically engages sealing surfaces, creating a seal without requiring manual intervention. The system self-secures during movement, maintaining brewing precision while preserving ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The collar is designed to rotate dynamically during the movement of the brew basket, transitioning the sealing surface orientation to match the changing position. This dynamic adjustment ensures that sealing is maintained throughout the movement from retracted to extended position, allowing the system to achieve both brewing precision and ease of operation through adaptive mechanical design.
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 system allows for automatic brewing with precise control over fluid flow and positioning, ensuring consistent flavor profiles and reducing manual intervention, enhancing the brewing process efficiency and quality.
Implementation Method 1
The at least one outlet includes a siphon having a pipe fluidly coupled to said brew chamber and extending from said a sidewall of said brew basket body
Data Source
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AI summary
A beverage system is provided including a housing and a brew basket body mounted to said housing for receiving a fluid. The brew basket body is pivotably mounted to said housing for movement between a retracted position and an extended position. The brew basket body includes a brew chamber for receiving a flavorant and at least one outlet through which fluid exits said brew basket.