Coffee grinder-doser with improved lid

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing coffee grinder-dosers face issues with maintenance and cleaning due to the lack of a second support point for the lid, leading to potential damage from mechanical stress on electrical connections and inconvenience during operations.

Innovation Solution

A coffee grinder-doser with a hinge mechanism that allows the lid to be partially detached and supported, housing the connecting cable within the hinge to prevent mechanical stress and enable easier access for maintenance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the lid is connected to the body by a non-removable cable for electrical connections, then the lid can be partially removed for maintenance, but the cable occupies high volume in normal use position and is subjected to high mechanical stress during handling

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelid removal for maintenanceVSAvoidcable durability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The cable is nested within the hinge structure, specifically housed in a seat formed inside the hinge. This allows the cable to be protected and organized within the existing mechanical structure, eliminating external cable encumbrances while maintaining electrical connectivity between the lid and body during maintenance operations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The hinge acts as an intermediary structure that simultaneously provides mechanical support for the lid and houses the electrical cable. This mediator function allows the cable to be protected from mechanical stress while still enabling the lid to be partially removed for maintenance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of repair

If the lid is removed for maintenance operations, then access to internal parts is improved, but the operator must use one hand to support the lid and the other hand for maintenance tasks

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccess to internal partsVSAvoidmaintenance operation convenience
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of repairVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The hinge structure provides a nested support mechanism where the lid can be partially detached and rested on the hinge itself. This eliminates the need for manual support of the lid during maintenance operations, as the hinge structure naturally supports the lid in a partially open position

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The hinge structure provides self-service support for the lid during maintenance operations. The lid automatically finds support on the hinge when partially opened, eliminating the need for the operator to manually hold or support the lid while performing maintenance tasks

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Adaptability or versatility

If a long cable is used to allow lid handling, then the lid can be partially removed, but the cable is subjected to high mechanical stress and may be damaged by repeated actions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelid handling flexibilityVSAvoidelectrical connection durability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The cable is nested within the hinge seat, which provides a protected pathway for the cable. This eliminates the need for a long external cable and prevents the cable from being subjected to mechanical stress during lid handling, as the cable moves with the hinge structure itself

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The hinge serves as an intermediary structure that transfers the movement and stress from lid handling away from the cable. The cable is housed within the hinge, so the hinge absorbs and manages the mechanical stresses while maintaining electrical connectivity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3381339B1Coffee grinder-doser with improved lid
Publication Date: 2020.01.01 MAZZER LUIGI
  • EP3381339B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3381339B1 patent drawingFigure 4
  • EP3381339B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

Coffee grinder-doser (4) comprising - a grinder-doser body (8), an electric motor (16), at least a grinder (20) operatively connected to said electric motor (16), - a containment compartment (12) provided with a respective access opening (36), - a lid (32) closing said access opening (36) to the containment compartment (12), - the lid (32) being at least partially detachable with respect to said grinder-doser body (8), characterized in that - the lid (32) is joined to the grinder-doser body (8) by means of a hinge (40), defining a hinge axis (X-X), so as to be supported mechanically by the hinge (40) in the transition from a closed configuration, wherein the lid (32) prevents access to said access opening (36) to an open configuration wherein it allows said access.