Coffee machine and method for preparing a cup of coffee
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Solution Overview
Problem
Drip coffee machines require frequent and meticulous manual cleaning due to residue retention and need for paper filters, leading to operational inefficiencies and environmental impact.
Innovation Solution
A coffee machine with a movable infusion unit and ejection piston system that allows for easy operation by closing the infusion chamber during brewing and compressing spent coffee grounds for liquid drainage, eliminating the need for frequent cleaning and paper filters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a simple drip coffee machine construction is used, then production costs are extremely limited, but the machine requires frequent and meticulous manual cleaning due to residue retention
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-cleaning through automated ejection of spent coffee grounds and liquid drainage. The ejection piston automatically removes coffee residue from the infusion chamber, and the drainage system eliminates liquid accumulation, allowing the machine to clean itself without manual intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts and removes the problematic residue (spent coffee grounds and liquid) from the system through the ejection piston and drainage line. By actively extracting these contaminants, the system prevents residue retention that would otherwise require manual cleaning.
2Ease of operation
If a paper filter is used in the percolating chamber, then coffee brewing is simple, but the filter requires replacement and disposal after each use causing environmental impact
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of discarding paper filters after each use, the system recovers and ejects spent coffee grounds through the ejection piston. The reusable infusion chamber eliminates the need for single-use paper filters, reducing waste while maintaining brewing functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces expensive disposable paper filters with a reusable infusion chamber system. The chamber can be used repeatedly without degradation of performance, eliminating the need for continuous purchase and disposal of paper filters.
3Ease of operation
If the infusion chamber remains open for loading coffee grounds, then coffee loading is easy, but liquid from spent coffee grounds is retained causing dirt accumulation
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary ejection of spent coffee grounds immediately after brewing completes. The ejection piston is activated automatically to remove grounds before liquid can accumulate and cause contamination, preventing dirt buildup in the infusion chamber.
Solution Approach 2:
The drainage line continuously removes liquid from the infusion chamber after brewing. This continuous action prevents liquid accumulation that would otherwise lead to residue retention and dirt accumulation, maintaining the chamber in a clean state ready for the next brewing cycle.
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 provides easy, reliable, and clean operation by automatically draining and ejecting spent coffee grounds, reducing maintenance and environmental impact while maintaining coffee quality.
Implementation Method 1
subjecting said infusion chamber and said ejection piston, or only said ejection piston, following execution of the infusion process, to a second course of translational movement in the same direction as the first course of translational movement, for compression of the load of spent coffee grounds against the closing piston and drainage of the liquid contained therein
Implementation Method 2
a boiler for heating a flow of infusion water
Implementation Method 3
subjecting said infusion unit, prior to execution of the infusion process, to a first course of translational movement for closure of the infusion chamber by the closing piston
Data Source
AI summary
A coffee machine including a controller, a boiler for heating a flow of infusion water, a movable infusion unit having an open infusion chamber connected to a dispensing line for dispensing the coffee infusion and having an ejection piston slidably supported therein in the infusion chamber, a supply line for supplying said flow of infusion water to the infusion unit, a closing piston engageable for closure of the infusion chamber. The controller can subject the infusion unit, prior to execution of the infusion process, to a first course of translational movement for closure of the infusion chamber by the closing piston, and to subject the infusion chamber and/or the ejection piston, following execution of the infusion process, to a second course of translational movement, for compression of the load of spent coffee grounds against the closing piston and for drainage of the liquid contained therein.