Automatic coffee machine
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Solution Overview
Problem
Automatic coffee machines pose a safety risk during self-cleaning as consumers can be exposed to hot steam when detaching the milk container, and existing solutions do not adequately address this issue while ensuring hygiene and convenience.
Innovation Solution
An automatic coffee machine design featuring a mechanical flap that automatically closes the steam outlet when the milk container is detached, using a coupling element made of elastic material to ensure a sealed connection and reduce leakage risks, along with a hinge mechanism for easy milk container handling and a detachable adapter assembly for milk and steam flow management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the milk container is made detachable for easy cleaning and storage, then ease of operation is improved, but safety risk increases due to hot steam exposure during self-cleaning
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical flap is designed to automatically close the steam outlet before the user can be exposed to hot steam during self-cleaning. This preliminary protective action prevents the harmful effect of steam exposure while maintaining the detachable design for ease of cleaning and storage.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical flap acts as an intermediary element between the steam outlet and the user. It mediates the steam flow by automatically closing the outlet when the milk container is detached, thereby preventing direct exposure to hot steam while allowing the detachable design to function.
2Productivity
If the steam outlet remains open for steam flow during operation, then productivity is improved, but safety risk increases due to potential steam leakage when container is detached
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical flap is designed to dynamically change position based on the presence of the milk container. When the container is attached, the flap opens to allow steam flow for productivity. When detached, the flap automatically closes to prevent steam leakage, thus adapting to operational conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical flap system is self-regulating and automatically responds to the presence or absence of the milk container without user intervention. The coupling element's movement automatically triggers the flap to open or close, ensuring steam flow during operation and preventing leakage when the container is detached.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a mechanical flap system is added to control steam outlet, then safety is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical flap system is merged with the existing coupling element mechanism. The flap is positioned to be automatically actuated by the same coupling element that connects the milk container, combining the connection function with the steam outlet control function into a single integrated mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical flap is designed to be self-actuating through the movement of the coupling element itself. When the coupling element moves to connect or disconnect the milk container, it automatically opens or closes the flap without requiring separate control mechanisms, thus minimizing added 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
The solution provides a safe and convenient user experience by preventing exposure to hot steam during self-cleaning, ensuring hygiene through automatic milk system cleaning and allowing for easy milk handling without interrupting brewing processes.
Implementation Method 1
a coupling element made of elastic material to ensure a sealed connection and reduce leakage risks
Data Source
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AI summary
An automatic coffee machine comprising: a milk container covered by a lid divided into a first portion and a second portion connected to each other by a hinge where the milk container has an adapter for fitting the milk container into the coffee machine housing, a milk frothing device with an automated self-cleaning mechanism wherein a coupling element of the adapter pushes a mechanical flap of the coffee machine into a position in which a milk or steam flow is provided. The present invention provides a simple and efficient solution which eliminates the risk of getting hurt of the customer during the self-cleaning process performed automatically by the coffee machine. When the milk container is detached out of the coffee machine body the customer is exposed for hot steam coming out the steam outlet. The present invention enables a coffee machine which use is safe and convenient for the user.