Capsule Coffee Maker Cover with Retractable Needle for User Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing capsule coffee makers have exposed needles that can accidentally stab users and detract from the aesthetic appearance of the device.
Innovation Solution
A coffee maker cover design featuring a movable lower cover structure that hides the needle assembly when not in use, allowing it to extend only when the cover is placed over the capsule coffee maker, ensuring user safety and improving the device's appearance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the needle is fixedly arranged and exposed on the coffee maker cover, then the needle can always be ready to pierce the capsule coffee, but the exposed needle easily stabs the user and affects the aesthetics of the overall shape
Solution Approach 1:
The needle assembly is made movable relative to the lower cover structure through an elastic telescopic structure. The needle can extend to a working position to pierce the capsule coffee and retract to a hidden position to avoid user injury and improve aesthetics. This dynamic configuration allows the needle to transition between exposed and hidden states based on operational needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The needle assembly is nested within the lower cover structure when not in use. The elastic telescopic structure allows the needle to be stored inside the cover body, similar to a nested doll configuration, where the functional element (needle) is contained within the housing (cover) during non-operational states.
2Ease of operation
If the needle is fixedly arranged and exposed on the coffee maker cover, then the needle can always be ready to pierce the capsule coffee, but the exposed needle affects the aesthetics of the overall shape
Solution Approach 1:
The needle assembly transitions between extended and retracted positions dynamically. When retracted, it maintains a sleek, continuous surface profile that improves aesthetics. When extended, it provides the necessary functionality for piercing the capsule, thus resolving the conflict between form and function.
Solution Approach 2:
The lower cover structure has different local properties: a smooth aesthetic surface in the retracted state and a functional opening in the extended state. This local quality change allows the same structure to serve both aesthetic and functional purposes at different times.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the lower cover structure is made movable relative to the upper cover structure, then the needle assembly can be hidden to improve safety and aesthetics, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The coffee maker cover is segmented into an upper cover structure and a lower cover structure that can move independently. This segmentation allows the lower cover to be equipped with the elastic telescopic structure for needle retraction, while the upper cover remains simple and stationary, distributing the complexity to only the necessary component.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic telescopic structure acts as an intermediary mechanism between the needle assembly and the lower cover structure. It provides the retraction function through a simple elastic mechanism rather than requiring a complex motorized or multi-component system, thus minimizing the 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 design prevents user injury from accidental needle stabs and enhances the coffee maker's aesthetic appeal by hiding the needle assembly when not in use.
Implementation Method 1
a first elastic telescopic structure arranged between the first upper cover and the lower cover structure, so that the lower cover structure is capable of being switched between the first position and the second position relative to the first upper cover
Data Source
AI summary
The application discloses a coffee maker cover and a capsule coffee maker. The coffee maker cover includes an upper cover structure, a lower cover structure and a needle assembly, where the lower cover structure is installed on the upper cover structure in a manner of being capable of moving relative to the upper cover structure, the lower cover structure has at least a first position away from the upper cover structure and a second position close to the upper cover structure, and the needle assembly is installed on the upper cover structure; when the lower cover structure is at the first position, the needle assembly is hidden in the lower cover structure; and when the lower cover structure is at the second position, the needle assembly extends from the lower cover structure to expose a needle outlet and the needle assembly is in hermetic communication with a water inlet channel. The capsule coffee maker can protect a user from stab caused by the user's misoperation and touch with the needle assembly, thereby improving use safety of the coffee maker. In addition, when the needle assembly is hidden in the lower cover structure, the overall shape of the coffee maker is more beautiful.