Brewing Strainer Valve Structure for Leak-Proof Beverage Transfer

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing hot beverage preparation machines face challenges in providing a leak-proof system during strainer removal and assembly due to insufficient space for valve movement, leading to inefficient beverage transfer and production complexities.

Innovation Solution

The design features a strainer with an upper and lower casing that creates sufficient space for valve movement, allowing for efficient beverage transfer into a brewing chamber and preventing leaks when the strainer is removed, utilizing a spring mechanism and sealing element within the casings to facilitate easy assembly and production.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a valve system is used to prevent beverage leakage when the strainer is removed, then leak-proofing is improved, but the device complexity increases and production becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveleak-proofingVSAvoidvalve system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the valve system from a separate component and integrates it directly into the strainer structure. The valve is formed as an integral part of the strainer base, eliminating the need for separate valve components and reducing assembly complexity while maintaining leak-proof functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines multiple functions into the strainer structure: the strainer serves both as a filtration device and as a container with integrated valve mechanism. The valve system is merged with the strainer base, creating a unified component that simplifies the overall device structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If a valve system is used to control beverage flow, then beverage retention is improved, but the space required for spring movement is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebeverage retentionVSAvoidspace for spring movement
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a dynamic valve mechanism where the valve element can move between open and closed positions. The spring provides the necessary force for this dynamic movement, allowing the valve to automatically open when the strainer is inserted into the brewing chamber and close when removed, ensuring beverage retention without requiring excessive space.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent optimizes the spatial arrangement by utilizing the vertical dimension for spring compression and valve movement. The spring is positioned to compress vertically within the strainer base structure, effectively using the height of the strainer base to provide the necessary movement space without increasing the horizontal footprint.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Ease of manufacture

If the strainer is designed with a simple structure for easy assembly, then ease of manufacture is improved, but leak-proofing capability is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly simplicityVSAvoidleak-proofing
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the sealing function from a complex multi-component gasket system and implements it through a simplified single-component solution. The sealing element is integrated directly into the valve structure, eliminating the need for separate gaskets and reducing assembly steps while maintaining effective sealing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent designs the strainer with self-sealing capability through the integrated valve mechanism. When the strainer is removed from the brewing chamber, the spring automatically pushes the valve element to close the opening, providing self-service leak prevention without requiring additional sealing components or complex assembly procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 ensures efficient leak-proofing and easy assembly, allowing for effective beverage transfer into the brewing chamber and preventing leaks during strainer removal, enhancing the usability and production efficiency of the hot beverage preparation machine.

Implementation Method 1

The spring remaining between the lower casing and the upper casing can be efficiently compressed by means of the upper casing and the lower casing having predetermined heights or the spring can stretch so as to place the sealing element into the additional hole in a rapid manner.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpring mechanism: Spring

Implementation Method 2

a valve that is placed onto the hole, that prevents the beverage in the strainer from leaking outside when the strainer is taken out of the brewing chamber

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSealing: Physical Containment

Data Source

PatentEP3027089B1A hot beverage preparation machine
Publication Date: 2020.01.15 ARCELIK AS
  • EP3027089B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3027089B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3027089B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The present invention relates to a hot beverage preparation machine (1) comprising a body (2), a brewing chamber (3) wherein the brewing process is performed as a result of the interaction between water and the raw beverage material, a pot (4) that remains under the brewing chamber (3) when placed onto the body (2) and wherein the beverage pouring from the brewing chamber (3) is accumulated, and a strainer (5) that is placed into the brewing chamber (3), wherein the raw beverage material is put and that enables the beverage to be transferred to the pot (4) by retaining the raw beverage material particles.