Coffee Maker Filter Basket Assembly for Mess-Free Single Serve
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Solution Overview
Problem
Coffee makers often create household messes when brewed coffee is dispensed into a carafe that is not in place, and users desire the ability to dispense into a cup or mug instead of a carafe.
Innovation Solution
A coffee maker with a filter basket assembly featuring a rotating selection dial and a pause valve actuator that allows for single serve coffee discharge when the carafe is not present, and automatically reverts to carafe mode when a carafe is inserted, using a combination of mechanical and optional electrical components to control coffee dispensing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If the coffee maker is designed to dispense coffee only when a carafe is in place, then mess prevention is improved, but the ability to dispense into a cup or mug is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The coffee maker employs a dynamic detection system that identifies whether a carafe or a cup/mug is present on the warming plate. The system automatically adjusts its dispensing behavior based on the detected object type, enabling it to prevent messes when no container is detected while allowing flexible dispensing into cups or mugs when appropriate objects are present.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms through sensors that detect the presence and type of container on the warming plate. This feedback information is used by the control system to determine the appropriate dispensing mode, creating a closed-loop control that resolves the contradiction between mess prevention and dispensing flexibility.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the coffee maker allows single serve dispensing without a carafe, then dispensing flexibility is improved, but the risk of household mess increases
Solution Approach 1:
The coffee maker implements preliminary anti-action by detecting the absence of a carafe before initiating the brewing process. When no carafe is detected, the system either prevents brewing entirely or directs dispensing in a controlled manner to a designated area, thereby preventing potential messes before they can occur.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts its operation based on real-time detection of container presence. When a cup or mug is detected on the warming plate, the system enables single-serve dispensing; when no container is detected, it prevents dispensing that could cause messes, thus dynamically resolving the contradiction between flexibility and mess prevention.
3Device complexity
If a manual closure mechanism is used in the filter basket, then device complexity is reduced, but ease of operation is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The filter basket assembly incorporates a self-service mechanism where the carafe itself performs the function of opening the basket closure. When the carafe is placed on the warming plate, its weight and position automatically trigger the release mechanism, eliminating the need for manual intervention and maintaining simplicity while improving ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses an intermediary mechanical linkage between the carafe position and the filter basket closure. This intermediary mechanism translates the simple act of placing the carafe on the warming plate into the automatic opening of the filter basket, bridging the gap between device simplicity and operational ease.
Data Source
Figure 1(a)
Figure 1(b)
Figure 2
AI summary
A coffee maker comprises a filter basket assembly that enables two coffee dispensing modes. The assembly comprises a filter basket with valve opening, and an actuator that cooperates with a carafe. The actuator closes the valve to stop coffee from dispensing when the carafe is removed, but can be automatically activated, after a predetermined delay, to open the valve to dispense into a cup or mug when the carafe is absent.