Brewing assembly for refrigerator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cold brew coffee systems require manual water refilling, occupy valuable countertop space, and fail to maintain the brewing water at a cooled temperature, resulting in unsatisfactory coffee and the need for post-brew chilling.
Innovation Solution
A brewing assembly integrated into a refrigerator appliance, featuring a dispensing assembly for chilled water, a pitcher with an upper and lower reservoir, and a brew module with canisters for slow water infusion, allowing for automated cold brew coffee production within a chilled environment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a dedicated cold brew coffee system is used, then cold brewing capability is provided, but countertop space is occupied and manual water refilling is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the cold brew brewing system with an existing refrigerator appliance, integrating the brewing functionality into the refrigerator's existing structure. The brewing chamber is positioned within the refrigerator cabinet space, utilizing the refrigerator's internal volume rather than requiring separate countertop space. This merging of functions eliminates the need for a dedicated standalone cold brew system.
Solution Approach 2:
The refrigerator appliance is designed to serve multiple functions: food storage and cold beverage brewing. The brewing assembly utilizes the refrigerator's existing cooling capability and water supply system, allowing the same appliance to perform both traditional refrigeration and specialized cold brew preparation without requiring additional dedicated equipment.
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional cold brew systems are used, then brewing is possible, but water temperature cannot be maintained at cold levels during brewing
Solution Approach 1:
The brewing system is integrated with the refrigerator's existing cooling mechanism. The brewing chamber is positioned within the refrigerator cabinet where it benefits from the ambient cold environment. The refrigerator's cooling system continuously maintains the brewing water at cold temperatures throughout the brewing process, eliminating the need for separate temperature control mechanisms.
3Productivity
If cold brew systems are used, then cold brewing is achieved, but post-brew chilling is required to reach desired temperature
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary cooling by maintaining the brewing water at cold temperatures before and during the brewing process. The refrigerator's cooling system pre-cools the water and continuously maintains it at the desired temperature throughout brewing, eliminating the need for post-brew chilling and allowing immediate consumption of cold brewed beverages.
4Ease of manufacture
If manual water refilling is used, then system operation is possible, but user convenience is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The brewing system leverages the refrigerator's existing water supply infrastructure. The brewing chamber is fluidly connected to the refrigerator's water dispensing system, allowing automatic water supply during brewing. The system uses the refrigerator's existing water storage and dispensing capabilities, eliminating the need for manual water refilling operations.
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
Facilitates a simplified brewing process while maintaining the brewed coffee at a chilled temperature, eliminating the need for a dedicated cold brew system and saving countertop space, as the coffee is ready for consumption at the desired temperature.
Implementation Method 1
a chilled chamber for receipt of food articles for storage
Data Source
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AI summary
A refrigerator (100), comprising a cabinet body (102) and a dispensing assembly (140). The cabinet body (102) is provided with a refrigerating chamber for accommodating and storing food, and the dispensing assembly (140) is provided with a water outlet (142) for selectively dispensing water. The refrigerator (100) is further provided with a brewing assembly (200) capable of being placed in the cabinet body (102) so as to receive a water flow (144) from the dispensing assembly (140). The brewing assembly (200) comprises a storage tank (202), a brewing module (220) located in the storage tank (202), and a lower container (210) located below the brewing module (220); the storage tank (202) is detachably positioned, in the refrigerating chamber, below the water outlet (142) of the dispensing assembly (140); the brewing module (220) further comprises one or more canisters (222); the canisters (222) are used for accommodating objects to be brewed (224) and the water flow (144) from the dispensing assembly (140) so as to make a brewed drink (226); and the lower container (210) is used for accommodating the brewed drink (226) from the canisters (222).