System and method for making a beverage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beverage brewing systems face inefficiencies in infusion cycles and solid particle separation, leading to suboptimal beverage quality and maintenance challenges.
Innovation Solution
A brewer system with a vertically displaceable piston and filter mechanism that agitates the mixture by forcing air through it, separating the beverage from spent solid particles, and includes a dispensing mechanism triggered by piston displacement, along with a wiping mechanism for spent particle removal and self-cleaning capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a piston is used to agitate the mixture by forcing air through it, then infusion efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The piston serves multiple functions: it agitates the mixture by forcing air through it during downward movement, and it draws the beverage through the filter during upward movement. This multi-functionality improves infusion efficiency while avoiding the need for separate agitation and filtration mechanisms, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.
2Reliability
If a filter is integrated into the piston to separate beverage from spent particles, then beverage quality is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The filter is integrated into the piston structure, combining the filtration function with the agitation mechanism. This merging ensures that beverage separation occurs during the same piston cycle that agitates the mixture, improving beverage quality while minimizing additional complexity by using a single integrated component rather than separate agitation and filtration systems.
3Ease of operation
If a wiping mechanism is added for spent particle removal, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The wiping mechanism is designed to be automatically actuated by the piston's upward movement. As the piston rises to draw beverage through the filter, it simultaneously activates the wiping action to remove spent particles. This self-service approach improves ease of operation by eliminating manual intervention while the automatic actuation minimizes the increase in device complexity.
4Manufacturing precision
If the piston is made vertically displaceable within the chamber, then manufacturing precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The piston system is segmented into distinct functional zones: the upper chamber for mixture agitation, the piston with integrated filter for separation, and the lower chamber for beverage collection. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function with precise vertical positioning, improving manufacturing precision while the modular nature of the segmented design helps manage 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 enhances infusion efficiency, maintains beverage quality by effectively separating solids from liquids, and simplifies maintenance through independent control of brewing and wiping cycles, ensuring consistent output and reduced manual upkeep.
Implementation Method 1
displacing the piston downward within the chamber, thereby forcing air from the lower portion through the filter and into the upper portion so as to agitate the mixture
Implementation Method 2
displacing the piston upward within the chamber, thereby drawing the beverage from the upper portion through the filter and into the lower portion while spent solid particles remain above the filter
Data Source
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AI summary
A system and a method for making a beverage from a mixture of liquid and solid particles are disclosed. The liquid and solid particles are introduced into a chamber so as to allow the liquid to infuse with the flavour or quality of the solid particles. A piston having an integrated filter is in sealed contact with the chamber, and can be vertically displaced within the chamber. When the piston is displaced downward, air is forced from below the filter and into the mixture sitting above the filter, agitating the mixture. When the piston is displaced upward, the mixture is drawn from above the filter. This separates the spent solid particles from the infused liquid, which collects in the chamber, thereby making the beverage. Also described are a driving mechanism for displacing the piston, a dispensing mechanism for releasing the beverage, and a wiping mechanism for wiping spent solid particles.