Coffee Brewing Funnel Assembly With Low-Pressure Extraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional drip coffee machines fail to apply pressure during brewing, resulting in incomplete coffee extraction, and are not adaptable to both large and small containers, with energy inefficiencies and safety concerns in their water outlets.
Innovation Solution
A coffee machine design featuring a funnel device with a one-way valve system and low-pressure function, allowing for adjustable brewing time and quality, with a movable funnel assembly for easy operation and cleaning, and energy-saving features.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If no pressure is applied on coffee powder during brewing, then the brewing process is simple, but coffee extraction is incomplete
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a movable funnel lower cover that can shift position under pressure differential. During brewing, when water flows through the coffee powder, the pressure difference causes the funnel lower cover to move downward, automatically applying pressure to the coffee powder for complete extraction. After brewing, when water stops flowing, the funnel spring pushes the cover back to its original position, maintaining simplicity. This dynamic mechanism resolves the contradiction by making pressure application automatic and conditional rather than requiring complex manual control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the natural pressure differential created during water flow through the coffee powder to drive the funnel lower cover movement. The brewing process itself generates the force needed for compression, and the funnel spring provides automatic reset without external intervention. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for separate pressure control systems while ensuring complete coffee extraction.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the funnel assembly is fixed, then the structure is stable, but operation and cleaning become difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The funnel device is divided into separable components: the funnel upper cover, funnel main body, and funnel lower cover that can be detached from each other. The funnel lower cover is movably connected to the upper cover, allowing it to be removed independently. This segmentation enables easy access to internal components for cleaning while maintaining structural stability during operation through the defined connection interfaces and positioning mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The funnel lower cover is designed with movable connections to the upper cover, allowing it to shift and detach during operation and cleaning. Positioning blocks and limiting elements provide stable positioning during brewing, while allowing controlled movement for removal and cleaning access. This dynamic design resolves the contradiction between structural stability and operational convenience.
3Device complexity
If conventional water outlets are used, then the design is simple, but energy saving and safety are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The one-way valve device provides automatic feedback control of water flow based on pressure differential. The valve opens when brewing pressure exceeds the spring force, allowing water discharge, and closes when pressure equalizes, preventing energy waste. This feedback mechanism ensures safe operation and energy efficiency without requiring complex external control systems, resolving the contradiction between simplicity and performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The water outlet system utilizes hydraulic pressure differential and pneumatic spring force to control valve operation. The funnel spring and one-way valve create a pressure-based control mechanism that automatically regulates water flow, providing energy-saving and safety features through fluid mechanics rather than complex mechanical or electronic controls.
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 coffee machine significantly reduces brewing time, improves coffee quality, and enhances safety and reliability by ensuring efficient extraction and adaptable container use while conserving energy.
Implementation Method 1
A funnel spring with low-pressure function to the coffee powder is provided between the funnel upper cover and the funnel lower cover
Implementation Method 2
a heating device disposed within the main body
Implementation Method 3
The one-way valve device comprises a valve body, a spring disposed within the valve body
Data Source
AI summary
A coffee machine comprises a main body (2) and a heating device (25), wherein a funnel device for coffee brewing that includes a funnel main body (17), a funnel upper cover (6) and an assembly of funnel lower cover is also provided on the main body (2) of the coffee machine. The assembly of funnel lower cover comprises a funnel lower cover (14), and a shower piece (15) which is fixed on the bottom of the funnel lower cover (14) and makes water uniformly submerge coffee powder in the funnel main body (17). A water inlet joint (6.4) which is connected with water passage of the coffee machine is provided on the funnel upper cover (6), and a water outlet joint (15.1) which is connected with the shower piece (15) is provided on the funnel lower cover (14). The water inlet joint (6.4) is connected with the water outlet joint (15.1) through a connecting pipe (15.2). The funnel upper cover (6) is connected with the funnel main body (17), and the funnel lower cover (14) is movably connected with the funnel upper cover (6). A funnel spring (13) with low-pressure function to the coffee powder is provided between the funnel upper cover (6) and the funnel lower cover (14). A funnel mandrel (6.2) that can open a one-way valve device disposed on the front part of the coffee main body (2) is provided on the front end of the funnel upper cover (6), and the one-way valve device is connected with an inner water outlet of the coffee main body (2).