Drip Coffee Maker Grinder Sealing for Steam-Free Powder Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Full-automatic drip coffee makers with coffee bean grinders face challenges in preserving coffee bean aroma and preventing water steam from entering the coffee powder passage, leading to lumping and discharge issues, which complicates user operations.
Innovation Solution
A fully electronic controlled drip coffee maker with a partition sealing assembly and drive motor that automatically controls the coffee powder outlet, using sealing rings and switches to prevent steam entry and maintain aroma by automating grinding and brewing processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If manual operation is used to move coffee basket or drip device for grinding and brewing, then user can control the process, but operation complexity increases and user convenience deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically detects the presence of coffee beans and initiates the grinding process without user intervention. The control unit monitors the coffee bean container and automatically activates the grinding mechanism when beans are detected, eliminating the need for manual operation while maintaining process control
Solution Approach 2:
Manual mechanical operations of moving the coffee basket or drip device are replaced by an electronic control system that automatically activates the grinding mechanism through electrical signals, substituting mechanical user actions with automated electronic control
2Productivity
If coffee powder outlet is open for grinding, then coffee powder can be discharged, but water steam enters coffee powder passage causing lumping
Solution Approach 1:
The coffee powder outlet is segmented into distinct operational states: an open position for grinding where coffee powder can be discharged, and a closed position for brewing where the outlet is sealed. The partition device divides the functional states, allowing the system to prevent steam contamination during brewing while maintaining discharge capability during grinding
Solution Approach 2:
A partition device acts as an intermediary mechanism between the coffee powder outlet and the brewing chamber. This partition device opens to allow coffee powder discharge during grinding, then closes to prevent water steam from entering the coffee powder passage during brewing, serving as a mediator that controls the interaction between these two processes
3Reliability
If coffee powder outlet is closed to prevent steam entry, then coffee powder is protected from lumping, but coffee powder cannot be discharged
Solution Approach 1:
The partition device is designed to dynamically change its position between open and closed states based on the operational phase. During grinding, the partition device opens to enable coffee powder discharge, ensuring reliability. During brewing, it closes to prevent steam entry and avoid lumping, adapting its state to the current process requirement
4Adaptability or versatility
If user manually operates coffee basket for grinding then brewing, then grinding and brewing can be performed, but time interval for coffee powder exposure increases reducing aroma
Solution Approach 1:
The system maintains continuous operation by automatically transitioning from grinding to brewing without interruption. The control unit monitors the grinding completion and immediately initiates the brewing process, eliminating idle time between operations. The partition device remains in the closed position after grinding, preventing coffee powder exposure to air during the transition, thus preserving aroma while maintaining brewing functionality
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 solution ensures the coffee bean aroma is preserved and the coffee powder is protected from steam, simplifying user operations by automating the brewing process and preventing lumps, thus enhancing user convenience and coffee quality.
Implementation Method 1
a drive motor for partition device; said partition device is connected with the shaft of the drive motor so as to rotate around the shaft of the drive motor
Implementation Method 2
An upper sealing ring is disposed in the clearance formed between said partition device and the coffee powder outlet. A lower sealing ring is disposed in the clearance formed between said partition device and the coffee basket
Implementation Method 3
a heater for heating the cold water inside said water reservoir
Implementation Method 4
a spray device for spraying coffee
Data Source
AI summary
A full-automatic drip coffee maker with coffee bean grinder which is totally electronic controlled, that is, the user just needs to select whether to brew coffee after grinding the coffee bean or directly brew coffee on the control panel, accordingly the coffee maker will carry out operations automatically and preserve the coffee bean aroma as much as possible in the process of brewing. It comprises a shell body, an automatic coffee bean grinding device, a brewing device, a heater. a water reservoir. a control panel and a coffee pot; a coffee powder outlet is disposed below the automatic coffee bean grinding device, the brewing device comprises a coffee basket for holding coffee powder, the coffee basket is disposed below the coffee powder outlet, and the coffee pot is disposed below the coffee outlet of the brewing device; wherein the automatic coffee bean grinding device further comprises a partition sealing assembly, and the partition scaling assembly comprises a partition device disposed below the coffee powder outlet and a drive motor for the partition device; the partition device is connected with the shaft of the drive motor so as to rotate around the shaft of the drive motor.