Coffee Grounds Extractor With Motorized Blade Containment
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for removing coffee grounds from espresso machine filters are manual, time-consuming, and prone to spills, leading to hygiene issues and insect attraction due to incomplete containment.
Innovation Solution
An automatic extraction device with a motor and blade system that breaks up coffee grounds, activated when the filter is positioned above it, allowing for efficient and complete removal of grounds from various filter sizes, including single and double-dose filters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual extraction methods are used, then device complexity is low, but productivity is reduced due to time-consuming operations
Solution Approach 1:
The extraction device is designed to be self-activating through a simple mechanical trigger system. When the drawer is pulled open, the trigger mechanism automatically activates the motor and blade without requiring manual intervention, allowing the system to serve itself and dramatically improving extraction speed while keeping the overall structure simple
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the traditional manual mechanical striking method with an automated electromechanical system. A small motor drives a blade that rotates to break up and extract coffee grounds, substituting manual labor with automated mechanical action while maintaining relatively simple device complexity through the use of a basic motor-blade assembly
2Object-affected harmful factors
If manual striking operations are used, then ease of operation is maintained, but object-generated harmful factors increase due to spills and insect attraction
Solution Approach 1:
The extraction device completely removes coffee grounds from the filter holder through automated blade action and directs them into a contained collection drawer. This extraction process ensures complete containment of grounds, eliminating spills and the associated hygiene problems and insect attraction that occur with manual striking methods
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a bag or flexible containment structure within the drawer to collect and seal coffee grounds. This flexible containment system ensures complete enclosure of the grounds, preventing them from escaping and creating hygiene issues, while the automated operation maintains ease of use through simple drawer insertion and removal
3Productivity
If automated extraction is implemented, then productivity increases, but device complexity increases due to additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The automated extraction device is segmented into distinct functional modules: a motor unit, a blade unit, a trigger mechanism, and a collection drawer. This segmentation allows each component to be simple and specialized, reducing overall complexity while enabling automated high-speed extraction. The motor-blade assembly can be a simple universal motor with a directly coupled blade, avoiding complex transmissions
Solution Approach 2:
The blade is designed to perform multiple functions: it breaks up coffee grounds, extracts them from the filter, and directs them into the drawer. The motor serves both to drive the blade and to provide the extraction force. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining high extraction efficiency
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
Significantly reduces the time and effort required for coffee ground extraction, enhances hygiene by preventing spills, and eliminates insect attraction by ensuring complete containment of coffee grounds.
Implementation Method 1
an extractor comprising a motor positioned inside a frame, the upper part of this motor being equipped with a blade for breaking up the grounds
Data Source
AI summary
An extractor device for coffee grounds that substantially consists of a tubular frame (10), inside which is a casing (11) fixed to the frame (10) and comprising a gear motor (12) preferably the low-voltage type, the lower part of the tubular frame (10) being open to allow the possibility of attaching a container bag (13) to collect the coffee grounds from above, the motor (12), positioned inside the casing (11) whose upper part terminates with a conical shape (11′), comprising a shaft (14) attached to the extraction device (15) which substantially consists of a blade (16) with two or more sectors.