Beverage-producing machine with single slide actuator for locking hopper and opening ingredient aperture therein
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing coffee-making machines require manual operation to switch between different types of coffee beans and lack automatic control, leading to inconvenience and inefficiency, as users cannot change the type of coffee beans being used until the existing beans are fully consumed.
Innovation Solution
A beverage-producing machine with a lockable and removably connected coffee bean container featuring a bottom aperture and shutter mechanism, actuating member, and sensing arrangement that allows for automatic operation and safety features, enabling easy switching between coffee bean types without manual intervention and ensuring proper alignment for safe operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a removable container with manual shutter operation is used, then the user can switch between different coffee bean types, but the operation becomes complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the shutter actuation and container locking functions into a single integrated actuating mechanism. When the container is inserted, the same actuating member that opens the shutter also locks the container to the housing, eliminating the need for separate manual operations and simplifying the user interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The actuating member serves multiple functions simultaneously: it opens the shutter to allow bean dispensing, locks the container to the housing, and enables the beverage production cycle. This multi-functionality reduces operational steps and improves ease of use while maintaining versatility.
2Ease of operation
If the container aperture remains open for easy refilling, then refilling is convenient, but coffee beans may be lost or contaminated
Solution Approach 1:
The shutter is automatically opened as a preliminary action when the container is locked to the housing, before the user needs to refill. This ensures the aperture is open only when needed and automatically closes when the container is removed, preventing bean loss and contamination while maintaining refilling convenience.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides automatic feedback through the sensing arrangement that detects container presence and triggers shutter opening/closing accordingly. The shutter state is automatically adjusted based on whether the container is locked or removed, eliminating the need for manual aperture management and preventing bean loss.
3Ease of operation
If the machine operates without safety detection, then the operation is simpler, but safety hazards may occur during brewing
Solution Approach 1:
The sensing arrangement provides automatic feedback to the control unit about container presence and locking status. The control unit uses this feedback to enable or disable the beverage production cycle, ensuring safety without requiring manual safety checks from the user. This maintains operational simplicity while improving reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-service safety monitoring through the sensing arrangement that automatically detects container presence and locking status. The machine monitors its own safety conditions and controls the brewing cycle accordingly, eliminating the need for manual safety verification while maintaining simple operation.
4Device complexity
If a single actuating member controls both shutter and locking, then the device complexity is reduced, but the mechanism design becomes more challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the shutter actuation and locking functions into a single integrated actuating mechanism. The actuating member is designed with features that simultaneously engage both the shutter and the locking mechanism, reducing the number of components while the design considerations for manufacturing are managed through the modular container and housing structure.
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 safer, user-friendly operation by automatically locking and unlocking the coffee bean container, preventing ingredient loss and ensuring the machine is safely configured before operation, allowing for seamless switching between coffee bean types without manual intervention.
Implementation Method 1
a bottom aperture for dispensing by gravity the ingredient contained therein
Data Source
AI summary
A beverage-producing machine includes a housing, a beverage producing unit arranged in the housing and a container for at least one beverage ingredient. The container is lockable to the housing and unlockable therefrom. The container includes a bottom aperture configured to dispense the ingredient contained therein and a shutter configured to selectively close and open the aperture. Furthermore, an actuating member is provided in the housing. The actuating member acts upon the shutter for selectively opening and closing the bottom aperture of the container while respectively locking the container to the housing and unlocking the container from the housing.