Rotating Beverage Capsules for Uniform Water Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
In beverage production machines using single-serving capsules, the horizontal or non-vertical flow of water leads to uneven water distribution, resulting in suboptimal utilization of ingredients and affecting the quality of the beverage.
Innovation Solution
A machine with a rotation device that rotates the capsule within the brewing chamber during the beverage preparation cycle, ensuring optimal ingredient utilization by adjusting the capsule's position to align with the water flow, either by rotating the capsule or the brewing chamber portion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the capsule is arranged horizontally in the brewing chamber with horizontal water flow, then the construction and ease of operation are improved, but the uniformity of water distribution and ingredient utilization deteriorate due to gravity causing water to flow unevenly toward the bottom-most area
Solution Approach 1:
The capsule is made rotatable within the brewing chamber rather than being fixed in a horizontal position. The rotation device enables the capsule to dynamically adjust its orientation during the brewing process, allowing water to uniformly interact with ingredients regardless of the initially horizontal arrangement. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by maintaining the ease of horizontal arrangement while achieving uniform water distribution through motion.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the capsule is arranged vertically in the brewing chamber with vertical water flow, then the uniformity of water distribution and ingredient utilization are improved, but the construction complexity and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
Rather than requiring a complex vertical brewing chamber design, the invention uses a rotation device to dynamically adjust the capsule orientation. This approach achieves uniform water distribution (similar to vertical flow benefits) while maintaining the simpler horizontal brewing chamber structure, thus resolving the contradiction between uniformity and device complexity.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the capsule is rotated during the beverage preparation cycle, then the uniformity of ingredient utilization is improved, but the device complexity increases due to the addition of a rotation device
Solution Approach 1:
The capsule itself is equipped with rotational capability through integrated rotation mechanisms, allowing it to self-adjust its orientation during brewing. This self-service approach enables uniform ingredient utilization without requiring complex external rotation devices, thereby resolving the contradiction between uniformity and device complexity.
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
This solution ensures uniform water distribution and improved beverage quality by ensuring all ingredients are effectively utilized, regardless of the capsule's initial orientation within the machine.
Implementation Method 1
due to the effect of gravity, the water tends to flow unevenly toward the inside of the capsule. Most of the water passes through the bottom-most area of the capsule
Data Source
AI summary
The machine (10) having a brewing chamber (23) adapted to receive a capsule (I) and a duct (33) for supplying water to the brewing chamber (23), as well as a duct (51) for dispensing beverage from the brewing chamber (23). The machine (10) further having a rotation device (3) adapted to rotate the capsule (10).