Removable Coffee Bean Container Closure With Low-Force Auto Latching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fully automatic coffee machines require manual prestressing to open and close the storage container dispensing opening, which can lead to high actuation effort and potential user suspicion of malfunction, increasing construction complexity and mechanical susceptibility.
Innovation Solution
A pivotable latching lug or ribbed surface on the coffee machine's housing interacts with the storage container door to automatically move between open and closed positions without manual prestressing, allowing smooth operation and reduced actuation force, with a stop mechanism that holds the door in place during insertion and releases it during removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual prestressing is used to open and close the storage container dispensing opening, then the closure device can be reliably actuated, but the actuation effort increases and construction complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The door is designed to close automatically when the storage container is removed from the housing. The gravitational force and the geometric arrangement of the door and container create a self-closing mechanism that eliminates the need for manual actuation, thereby reducing construction complexity while maintaining reliable closure
Solution Approach 2:
The door is pre-positioned in an open state during container insertion, and the system is designed so that container removal automatically triggers the closing action. This preliminary positioning eliminates the need for additional actuation mechanisms during operation
2Reliability
If manual prestressing is used to operate the storage container, then the dispensing opening can be securely closed, but the actuation force required increases leading to user-perceived malfunction
Solution Approach 1:
The door closing function is performed automatically through the mechanical interaction between the door and storage container during removal. The user simply removes the container, and the door closes itself without requiring the user to apply force to actuate a closure mechanism, thereby maintaining reliable closure while minimizing actuation effort
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of requiring the user to actively close the door through manual actuation, the system is inverted so that the natural removal motion of the container automatically causes the door to close. The user's intended action (removing container) produces the opposite effect of what would normally be required (closing door)
3Adaptability or versatility
If a separate manual closure mechanism is provided, then the dispensing opening can be closed independently, but the mechanical susceptibility and construction effort increase
Solution Approach 1:
The door closure function is merged with the storage container removal operation. The door and container are designed to interact mechanically such that container removal inherently drives the door closed, eliminating the need for a separate closure mechanism and reducing mechanical susceptibility
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
This solution simplifies the actuation process, reduces the risk of user-perceived malfunction, and lowers the mechanical complexity of the coffee machine, enabling easier operation and maintenance by eliminating the need for separate manual closure of the dispensing opening.
Implementation Method 1
The discharge opening allows the coffee beans to pass under gravity in a vertical direction
Data Source
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AI summary
A fully automatic coffee machine for household purposes, comprising a housing (1) and a removable storage container (2) for coffee beans, which is movable on an actuating track, a grinder for coffee beans, a dispensing opening (4) of the storage container (2) for feeding the beans into the grinder, and a closing device (10) for closing the dispensing opening (4), with a door (3) that is adjustable between an open position to release the dispensing opening (4) and a closed position to close the dispensing opening (4) when the storage container (2) is moved, is further developed by the fact that the door (3) can be moved without preload between the open position and the closed position by manually moving the storage container (2).