Capsule Coffee Machine Layout Without Separate Pricking Parts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional coffee machines with grinders and brewing units require significant space, making them cumbersome for movement, and coffee machines for coffee capsules add complexity with a pricking member and capsule shell container, increasing space requirements.
Innovation Solution
A coffee machine design that eliminates the need for a pricking member and capsule shell container by integrating a capsule holder, brewing unit with water jets, and a waste water container within a compact casing, where the brewing unit pivots to break the coffee capsule and hot water flows for brewing, allowing for reduced parts and space usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a coffee machine uses a grinder and brewing unit for coffee beans, then coffee brewing function is improved, but device complexity and space requirement increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the grinder and brewing unit components from the coffee machine system, replacing them with a simplified capsule-based brewing mechanism. This extraction eliminates the complexity associated with grinding mechanisms while maintaining coffee brewing functionality through pre-packaged capsules.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs disposable coffee capsules as the coffee source, replacing the need for a grinder and reusable brewing unit. The capsules are single-use items that eliminate the need for complex mechanical grinding components, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining brewing versatility.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a coffee machine for capsules includes a pricking member and capsule shell container, then capsule processing function is improved, but device complexity and space requirement increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the pricking member functionality into the brewing unit assembly, eliminating the need for a separate pricking device. The capsule shell container is also integrated into the brewing unit structure, combining multiple functions into a single component and thereby reducing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The brewing unit is designed to perform multiple functions: it holds the capsule, pricks the capsule seal, and collects the spent capsule shell. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate dedicated components for each function, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining complete capsule processing capability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a coffee machine is designed with multiple separate components for brewing and waste management, then functional completeness is improved, but ease of movement deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the brewing unit, capsule holder, pricking mechanism, and waste water container into a single integrated assembly. This merging of components maintains all necessary functions for complete coffee brewing and waste management while reducing the overall number of separate parts, thereby improving ease of movement.
4Volume of stationary object
If a coffee machine integrates brewing unit and capsule holder, then space requirement is reduced, but ease of repair may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the integrated brewing unit as a modular assembly where the capsule holder, brewing chamber, and waste container can be independently accessed and replaced. This segmentation within integration allows for compact space utilization while maintaining ease of repair through modular component replacement.
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 design simplifies the configuration and saves space by integrating essential components, reducing the number of parts and facilitating easier installation and movement while maintaining efficient coffee brewing.
Implementation Method 1
the brewing unit push the coffee capsule towards the outlet, resulting in the outlet and the water jets breaking the coffee capsule
Implementation Method 2
a water tank, a boiler, a pump, and a plurality of pipes; wherein the water tank, the boiler, the pump, a plurality of pipes, and the capsule holder are accommodated in the casing, the water tank, the boiler, the pump and the capsule holder are connected one by one via the pipes
Implementation Method 3
a water tank, a boiler, a pump, and a plurality of pipes; wherein the water tank, the boiler, the pump and the capsule holder are connected one by one via the pipes
Data Source
AI summary
A coffee machine (100) for coffee capsule includes a casing (10) , a capsule holder (50), a brewing unit (70) and a boiler (30). The casing (10) comprises a side panel (11) defining a a fixing hole (111) and a mounted hole (112). The brewing unit (70) defines a brewing chamber and a plurality of water jets (76) each communicating with the brewing chamber. A waste water container (80) defines a cavity and comprises a tongue (81) defining a water groove (811) communicating with the cavity. The brewing unit is pivotally mounted to the casing. The capsule holder is mounted to the side panel(11) and communicates with the fixing hole (111). When the brewing unit (70) is pivoted towards to the capsule holder (50), the water jets break the coffee capsule to brew coffee. The tongue (81) of waste water container (80) is detachably mounted to the mounted hole (112), and the waste water flows into the cavity via the water groove (811).