Beverage maker, in particular coffee machine, for mains-water connection, and mains-water kit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beverage makers, such as coffee machines, often require users to choose between a fixed water connection or a removable tank, limiting flexibility and ease of operation, as retrofitting between these configurations is time-consuming and not always possible.
Innovation Solution
A beverage maker design that allows for both fixed water connection and removable tank operation, with a control device managing water levels and supply from a drinking water network, enabling seamless switching between modes and easy maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a beverage maker is designed with a fixed water connection, then water supply continuity is improved, but flexibility and ease of relocation are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The beverage maker is divided into modular components: a removable tank assembly that can be separated from the main housing. This allows the tank to be easily removed for manual filling while the main housing remains connected to the fixed water supply, thus achieving both continuous water supply and operational flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a static fixed configuration to a dynamic hybrid configuration. The tank can be selectively removed or attached based on operational needs, allowing the system to adapt between fixed water connection mode (for continuity) and removable tank mode (for flexibility and relocation).
2Adaptability or versatility
If a beverage maker uses a removable tank for manual filling, then flexibility and ease of relocation are improved, but water supply continuity and convenience are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The beverage maker is designed to perform multiple functions through a single integrated system. The same machine can operate in two modes: connected to fixed water supply for automatic filling (improving convenience) or using a removable tank for manual filling (maintaining flexibility). This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction between convenience and flexibility.
3Reliability
If a beverage maker is converted from tank operation to fixed water connection, then water supply continuity is improved, but conversion time and complexity are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The beverage maker is pre-configured with both fixed water connection interfaces and removable tank interfaces during manufacturing. This preliminary preparation allows users to switch between operating modes without requiring time-consuming conversions or modifications, thus achieving fast mode switching with minimal downtime.
4Reliability
If a beverage maker with fixed water connection is designed, then water supply reliability is improved, but cleaning accessibility and maintenance are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The tank assembly is segmented as a removable component that can be completely detached from the main housing. This segmentation provides excellent cleaning accessibility, as the tank can be removed and cleaned separately without disassembling the entire machine, while the main housing maintains its fixed water connection for reliable water supply.
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 flexible operation between fixed and removable configurations, ensuring continuous water supply, quiet operation, and easy cleaning, while preventing lime deposits and biofilm formation, thus enhancing user convenience and hygiene.
Implementation Method 1
drinking water is supplied from a drinking water network into the water tank
Implementation Method 2
The drinking water network can also be a water supply that consists of a larger storage tank and a pressure boosting station. The supplied water is generally under pressure and does not have to be sucked in.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A beverage maker, in particular an electrically operated coffee machine (1), having a water tank (2), which can be filled with water (W) which can be used to prepare a beverage by means of the beverage maker, wherein the beverage maker is designed for connection to a drinking-water network (T) via an inflow (3), characterized in that, in a state (ZI) in which the beverage maker is connected to the drinking-water network (T) via the inflow (3), the water tank (2) can be removed from the beverage maker manually by the beverage-maker user and/or can be filled with the water (W) optionally by a/the beverage-maker user filling water manually or by drinking water being supplied from the drinking-water network (T) via the inflow (3).