Submersion Brewer Pressure Control for Repeatable Extraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing submersion brewing devices require significant user intervention, leading to increased complexity, decreased reliability, and reduced repeatability in producing uniformly extracted beverages.
Innovation Solution
A logic-controlled submersion brewing device with a boiler module and reservoir tank, where a logic controller regulates liquid and vapor interactions in the extraction chamber, allowing customizable parameters like temperature, time, and pressure, and using pressure control to separate beverage liquid from spent media with minimal user interaction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If manual beverage brewing devices are used to achieve favorable taste, then extraction quality is improved, but user intervention and preparation time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The brewing device automatically performs extraction operations without requiring user intervention. The system self-regulates water flow, temperature, and contact time between water and coffee grounds, eliminating the need for manual pouring or timing while maintaining consistent extraction quality.
Solution Approach 2:
Manual mechanical operations (pouring, timing, stirring) are replaced by an automated control system that uses sensors and actuators to regulate the brewing process. The system electronically controls water flow rates, temperature profiles, and extraction duration to achieve consistent results without user input.
2Ease of operation
If brewing appliances automate the preparation process, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The brewing device integrates multiple functions into a single unit: water heating, flow control, temperature regulation, and extraction timing all occur within one apparatus. This consolidation achieves automation benefits while limiting complexity growth by avoiding separate devices for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The system achieves sophisticated control by varying key parameters (temperature, flow rate, contact time) rather than requiring complex mechanical mechanisms. By programmatically adjusting these parameters, the device automates the brewing process using relatively simple actuation of existing components.
3Manufacturing precision
If submersion brewing is used to achieve uniform extraction, then extraction consistency is improved, but device complexity and production costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The device uses controlled water flow through hydraulic principles to achieve uniform submersion brewing. By regulating water pressure and flow distribution, the system ensures consistent contact between water and coffee grounds throughout the extraction chamber, achieving uniform extraction without complex mechanical agitation mechanisms.
4Ease of operation
If submersion brewing is automated, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability and repeatability decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The brewing device incorporates sensors that monitor temperature, water flow, and extraction progress in real-time. This feedback is fed back to the control system, which adjusts parameters to maintain consistent brewing conditions across multiple cycles, ensuring repeatability and reliability of the extraction process.
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 device achieves reliable and repeatable beverage extraction with minimal user interaction, enhancing consistency and reliability through programmable and customizable operations, and addressing issues of device complexity and reliability.
Implementation Method 1
the logic-controller allows the boiler to provide vapor pressure to the extraction chamber to forcibly move beverage liquid across a sieve
Implementation Method 2
A logic-controller regulates the interaction of both liquid and pressurized vapor between the boiler and an extraction chamber
Data Source
AI summary
The present inventive concept consists of a logic controlled submersion brewing device that operates reliably with minimal user interaction. The brewer employs a submersion brewing technique to ensure a uniform extraction of beverage from solid extraction media. The device may be programmable to start on a timer. Parameters of the brew program may be customizable including serving size and extraction settings. The device will use vapor pressure to forcibly move beverage liquid across a sieve thereby separating the liquid from spent extraction media. Reliability and repeatability of the separation procedure is enhanced using a novel method of pressure control.