Coffee Brewing Filter Cleaning With Spring-Loaded Scraper Contact
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing brewing devices in coffee machines often leave coffee pomace residues on the retention filter, leading to suboptimal cleaning and potential clogging of filter openings, which can negatively affect coffee taste and brewing performance.
Innovation Solution
A brewing device with a spring-loaded cleaning element that actively brushes against the retaining filter during its movement, ensuring thorough removal of coffee residues and preventing clogging, while the pomace base is scraped from the cylinder base and directed to a waste container.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a rotary cleaning movement with a cleaning element at a small distance from the retaining filter is used, then the cleaning action is reduced, but the structure is simpler
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning element is designed to be movable relative to the retaining filter, transitioning from a spaced position during brewing to a contacting position during cleaning. This dynamic adjustment allows the cleaning element to apply direct mechanical contact force to the filter surface, improving cleaning effectiveness without compromising the simplicity of the overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning mechanism utilizes the existing rotary movement of the brewing cylinder to drive the cleaning element, eliminating the need for separate motors or complex actuation systems. The cleaning element automatically engages with the retaining filter during the cylinder's rotation, achieving effective cleaning through self-service mechanics.
2Reliability
If the cleaning element is moved closer to the retaining filter, then cleaning effectiveness improves, but the risk of filter opening clogging increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning element is designed with specific local properties - using appropriate materials and surface characteristics that enable effective cleaning contact while minimizing the risk of debris being pushed into filter openings. The cleaning element's geometry and material selection are optimized to slide along the filter surface rather than force pomace into the mesh.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning element is designed to convert the potentially harmful effect of close contact (which could clog openings) into a beneficial cleaning action. By carefully controlling the contact mechanism to scrape and remove pomace rather than push it inward, the design transforms what could be a harmful close proximity into an effective cleaning solution.
3Reliability
If a spring force is applied to the cleaning element, then cleaning effectiveness improves through active contact, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spring mechanism is integrated into the existing structure of the brewing device, utilizing available space and mounting points. The spring automatically engages the cleaning element with the retaining filter during the cleaning cycle, providing consistent contact force without requiring external control systems or complex actuation mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring-loaded cleaning element provides dynamic contact force that adapts to the retaining filter's position and condition. This elastic mechanism ensures continuous pressure for effective cleaning while allowing for natural movement and adjustment, eliminating the need for complex rigid positioning systems or active control mechanisms.
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 ensures improved cleaning of the filter and filter carrier, preventing residue buildup and clogging, thereby enhancing coffee quality and maintaining optimal brewing performance over the device's lifespan.
Implementation Method 1
a spring force acts between the cleaning element and the filter carrier or the retaining filter
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a brewing device for a coffee machine, comprising a filter retainer (3), which holds a retention filter (6) for ground coffee beans and which is designed in particular as a filter carrier, a brewing cylinder (4), which can be moved relative to the filter retainer (3) between a loading position for ground coffee beans and a brewing position and which bounds a brewing chamber (13) together with the retention filter (6) of the filter retainer (3) in the brewing position, which brewing chamber has an inlet for pressurized brewing water, wherein a brewing chamber bottom can be moved within the brewing cylinder and the brewing cylinder can be moved into the loading position relative to a scraper in a movement step in order to scrape a cake of used grounds from the brewing chamber, and a cleaning element (7) for removing used coffee grounds adhering to the retention filter (6) after a brewing process during a cleaning motion. According to the invention, the filter retainer (3) and the cleaning element (7) are spring-loaded toward each other in such a way that the cleaning element (7) touches the retention filter (6) and/or the filter retainer (3) during the cleaning motion of the cleaning element and thereby scrapes off the adhering used coffee grounds, and the cleaning element (7) is spring-loaded away from the brewing cylinder in the direction of the retention filter (6), in particular upward, by means of a first compression spring (11) during the cleaning motion.