Pour-Over Coffee Maker with Integrated TDS and Weight Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing coffee makers lack the ability to produce batches of coffee with consistent quality, as they require separate devices for measuring Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) and weight, leading to contamination and additional cleaning efforts.
Innovation Solution
A single pour-over coffee maker integrating weight, temperature, and TDS measuring functions, featuring a TDS sensor with two parallel pins for conductivity measurement, a temperature sensor, and a weight sensor, along with a fluid transfer system and detachable structure for easy cleaning and wireless data communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a separate TDS sensor device is used to measure Total Dissolved Solids, then TDS measurement capability is achieved, but contamination risk increases and cleaning effort increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the TDS sensor directly into the coffee maker's brewing chamber, merging the measurement function with the brewing system. This eliminates the need for separate sampling devices that could contaminate coffee, as the sensor measures TDS directly in the brewing liquid without requiring external syringes or droppers.
Solution Approach 2:
The coffee maker is designed with multi-functionality, combining brewing, weight measurement, temperature measurement, and TDS measurement in a single integrated system. The TDS sensor serves dual purposes: monitoring extraction quality during brewing and providing data for automated brewing adjustments, reducing the need for separate dedicated devices.
2Measurement precision
If a separate TDS sensor device is used, then TDS measurement capability is achieved, but cleaning effort and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating the TDS sensor into the brewing chamber, the sensor is cleaned automatically as part of the regular coffee maker cleaning process. The brewing chamber's self-cleaning or routine maintenance procedures simultaneously clean the sensor, eliminating separate cleaning steps required for external TDS sensors.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated TDS sensor benefits from the coffee maker's automated cleaning systems. The sensor is positioned such that it is cleaned by the same mechanisms that clean the brewing chamber, allowing the system to clean itself without requiring additional manual intervention or separate cleaning procedures for the TDS measurement component.
3Measurement precision
If weight and TDS measurements are performed by separate devices, then measurement accuracy is maintained, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple measurement functions (weight sensing, temperature sensing, and TDS sensing) into a single integrated coffee maker system. The weight sensor, temperature sensor, and TDS sensor all operate within the same brewing chamber, coordinated by a central control unit that processes data from all sensors to optimize brewing parameters.
Solution Approach 2:
The coffee maker is designed as a multi-functional system where a single device performs brewing, weight measurement, temperature measurement, and TDS measurement. The control unit coordinates all these functions, allowing the system to maintain measurement accuracy while reducing the number of separate devices needed.
4Measurement precision
If manual sampling with syringe or dropper is used for TDS measurement, then TDS measurement capability is achieved, but user convenience decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated TDS sensor automatically measures Total Dissolved Solids during the brewing process without requiring user intervention. The sensor continuously monitors the brewing liquid, and the control unit processes the data automatically, eliminating the need for users to manually sample coffee with syringes or droppers.
Solution Approach 2:
The TDS sensor provides real-time feedback during brewing, allowing the system to automatically adjust brewing parameters to achieve optimal extraction. This automated feedback loop eliminates manual sampling and gives users immediate information about coffee quality without requiring them to perform additional measurement steps.
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 the production of coffee with a repeatable taste profile by accurately measuring TDS and weight, reducing contamination and cleaning efforts, while allowing users to share and replicate brewing experiences through wireless connectivity.
Implementation Method 1
the TDS sensor measures TDS value by conductivity
Implementation Method 2
a weight sensor (52) in the lower structure will measure weight changes
Implementation Method 3
a temperature sensor (9)
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed are a coffee maker and a using method thereof. The coffee maker has: an upper structure with a filter (1) and a measurement chamber (2), a lower structure with a weight sensor (52), a plurality of connecting elements (4) enacting the upper structure above the lower structure, a carafe (6) to be placed between the upper structure and the lower structure, and a display panel (51). The measurement chamber has a TDS sensor (8), a temperature sensor (9) and a fluid transfer system (7). The display panel shows data from the TDS sensor, the temperature sensor or the weight sensor.