Variable-Volume Infusion Chamber for Flexible Coffee Dosing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional infusion units for making coffee, especially espresso, have a fixed volume infusion chamber that limits the variation in coffee amount and cannot dispense two cups in a single cycle, making it difficult to adjust coffee strength and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A variable volume infusion chamber with a yielding wall and a connected liquid-filled chamber that adjusts volume based on the product amount, using a locking device to prevent pressure-induced opening, allowing for a range of coffee amounts and efficient brewing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a fixed volume infusion chamber is used to maintain structural reliability and prevent accidental opening under high water pressure, then the chamber can reliably achieve high infusion pressures, but the volume cannot be varied to receive different amounts of coffee product
Solution Approach 1:
The infusion chamber volume is made dynamically adjustable through a yielding wall that can move to different positions based on the amount of coffee product loaded. The wall's position is locked by a locking device that engages with different locking positions corresponding to different volumes, allowing the chamber to adapt between 1 cup (8g coffee) and 2 cups (16g coffee) configurations while maintaining structural integrity under pressure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the infusion chamber volume is made variable to receive different amounts of coffee, then adaptability improves, but the structural reliability and ability to prevent accidental opening under high pressure deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
A locking device acts as an intermediary mechanism between the yielding wall and the chamber structure. This device includes a locking member that can engage with multiple locking positions on the yielding wall, preventing pressure-induced movement or accidental opening of the chamber while allowing intentional volume adjustments during setup. The locking device transfers and distributes the high water pressure forces across multiple engagement points.
3Productivity
If a fixed infusion chamber is used, then the structure remains simple and reliable, but it cannot dispense two coffee cups in a single infusion cycle
Solution Approach 1:
The yielding wall with multiple locking positions enables the single infusion chamber to dynamically configure its volume for different coffee amounts. Users can select between locking positions to load either 8g (1 cup) or 16g (2 cups) of coffee into the same chamber, allowing two cups to be dispensed in one infusion cycle when the larger volume is selected, without requiring multiple separate chambers or complex multi-chamber mechanisms.
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
Enables varying coffee amounts and efficient brewing with reduced water consumption and energy usage, maintaining simplicity, sturdiness, and reliability.
Implementation Method 1
The yielding wall, for example biased by a compression spring, adjusts for receiving a larger or smaller amount of product
Implementation Method 2
The non-compressibility of the liquid trapped into the chamber filled with liquid blocks and prevents further deformations of the wall
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A
Figure 2B~2C
AI summary
The infusion unit comprises an infusion chamber (25, 31) for coffee or other product wherefrom, through water under pressure, the flavours are extracted for making the beverage. The infusion chamber comprises at least one yielding wall (33) for adjusting the volume of the closed infusion chamber to the amount of product contained into said infusion chamber. Moreover, a variable volume chamber is (49) provided, filled with a liquid and connected to the yielding wall (33), so that the volume of the variable volume chamber filled with liquid varies according to the position taken by said yielding wall (33) when the infusion chamber is closed. The position of the yielding wall (33) is locked when the infusion chamber is closed, preventing the liquid flow from and into said variable volume chamber filled with liquid.