System for preparing a beverage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Capsule-based beverage preparation machines face challenges in producing beverages of varying quantities without compromising quality, as differently sized capsules require complex brewing chamber designs to minimize waste water and maintain appearance consistency.
Innovation Solution
A system with a brew chamber assembly that accommodates both larger and smaller capsules by adjusting volumes and using interchangeable capsules with similar dimensions to minimize waste water, featuring a dual brew chamber design and sealing mechanisms to ensure consistent quality and appearance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a single brew chamber is designed to accommodate smaller capsules, then the capsule fits properly, but waste water accumulates in the space between the smaller capsule and the enclosing member, jeopardizing beverage quality
Solution Approach 1:
The brew chamber is segmented into two separate parts: a first brew chamber part with a cavity for smaller capsules, and a second brew chamber part for larger capsules. This segmentation allows each chamber part to be optimized for its specific capsule size, eliminating waste water accumulation by ensuring proper fit for each capsule type without requiring a single oversized chamber that would create gaps with smaller capsules.
2Manufacturing precision
If differently sized capsules are used for different quantities, then beverage quality is maintained, but the machine design becomes complex and difficulty arises in receiving different capsule sizes
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adapts to different capsule sizes by providing two interchangeable brew chamber parts. The user selects the appropriate brew chamber part based on the capsule size being used, allowing the machine to adjust its configuration. This dynamic adaptability maintains beverage quality for different capsule sizes while avoiding the need for a single complex adjustable chamber design.
Solution Approach 2:
The brew chamber system is designed with multi-functionality, where the first and second brew chamber parts can each serve different capsule sizes. This universal design allows the machine to handle both smaller and larger capsules effectively, maintaining beverage quality across different capsule types while simplifying the overall design compared to a single complex adjustable chamber.
3Shape
If capsules have the same appearance, then they are recognizable in stores, but designing a single brew chamber to receive all sizes without compromising quality becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The brew chamber is divided into specialized segments (first and second parts) that can each accommodate capsules of different sizes while maintaining the same external appearance. This segmentation allows the machine to handle uniformly appearing capsules of varying sizes without compromising beverage quality, as each chamber part is optimized for its specific capsule size category.
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 system effectively prepares beverages of predefined quantities using differently sized capsules while maintaining beverage quality and appearance consistency, reducing waste water and simplifying machine design.
Implementation Method 1
a fluid dispensing device for supplying an amount of fluid, such as water, under pressure to the first brew chamber part
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2A
AI summary
The present document relates to a system for preparing beverage, including a second exchangeable capsule (4B9, and arranged for optionally including a first exchangeable capsule (4A). The second capsule is larger than the first capsule. The system also includes an apparatus with a first brew chamber part (18) and a second brew chamber part (20) forming a brew chamber (22A) for selectively holding one of the capsules and a fluid dispensing device for supplying fluid under pressure to the first brew chamber part. The first brew chamber part has a cavity (24) for selectively holding the first or second capsule. The first brew chamber part may include a first volume (126) not occupied by the first exchangeable capsule (4A) when holding this capsule. The first brew chamber part (18) may include a second volume (130) not occupied by the second exchangeable capsule (4B) when holding this capsule.