Rotating Feed Chute Layout for Uniform Coffee Infusion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing coffee dispensing machines face challenges in achieving optimal and repeatable beverage quality due to non-uniform coffee powder distribution, increased maintenance costs, and the need for multiple infusion chambers to accommodate different coffee volumes, leading to inconsistent extraction and wear on machine components.
Innovation Solution
A dispensing apparatus with a cylindrical infusion chamber and a rotating feed chute, where the positions of the chamber, piston, and chute are adjusted based on the selected beverage type to ensure uniform coffee distribution, allowing for efficient preparation of various coffee volumes using a single chamber, and a computer program to optimize these positions for optimal coffee extraction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single infusion chamber is used for all coffee types, then device complexity is reduced, but manufacturing precision of coffee distribution becomes difficult to maintain
Solution Approach 1:
The feed chute is made rotatable relative to the infusion chamber, allowing dynamic adjustment of the coffee feeding position. The chute can rotate to different angular positions depending on the coffee type being prepared, enabling uniform distribution of varying coffee amounts into the same chamber without requiring multiple fixed chambers
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the angular position parameter of the feed chute based on the selected coffee type. By adjusting this geometric parameter, the coffee powder is directed to different radial positions within the chamber, optimizing distribution for various coffee volumes from espresso to American coffee
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple infusion chambers are used to accommodate different coffee amounts, then manufacturing precision for different beverage types is improved, but device complexity and maintenance costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
A single infusion chamber is designed to handle multiple coffee types by combining it with a rotatable feed chute. The chamber serves universal purposes for preparing various beverages from espresso to American coffee, eliminating the need for multiple specialized chambers while maintaining beverage quality consistency
Solution Approach 2:
The rotatable feed chute provides dynamic positioning capability, allowing the same chamber to be optimized for different coffee amounts by changing the feeding angle, thereby achieving multi-functionality with a single chamber
3Ease of operation
If ground coffee is fed by gravity into the infusion chamber, then ease of operation is improved, but manufacturing precision of coffee distribution deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The feed chute is designed to rotate dynamically during the coffee feeding process. As coffee is fed by gravity, the chute rotates to different angular positions, distributing the coffee powder uniformly across the chamber bottom. This combines the simplicity of gravity feeding with the precision of controlled distribution through rotational movement
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 solution ensures uniform coffee distribution and consistent beverage quality across different volumes, reducing maintenance costs and wear on machine components, while allowing for efficient preparation of a wide range of coffee types using a single infusion chamber.
Implementation Method 1
ground coffee is measured and inserted, by gravity, into an infusion chamber
Implementation Method 2
compressing the coffee measure inside the infusion chamber
Implementation Method 3
feeding the heated water into the infusion chamber to prepare and dispense the coffee
Data Source
AI summary
A process for preparing coffee in a dispensing apparatus is described, the apparatus (1) having a feed chute (6) mounted on the supporting frame (2) and being able to rotate with respect to said frame in order to feed the ground coffee to the infusion chamber (3), wherein the feed chute (6) and the infusion chamber (3) are positioned so as to obtain a desired distribution of ground coffee in the chamber (3).