Coffee Machine Aperture Cover Cutting Geometry
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing coffee machines face issues with coffee beans getting stuck between the container and aperture cover, leading to operational disruptions and increased cleaning needs due to residual coffee collection.
Innovation Solution
A full-automatic coffee machine with a coffee beans container featuring a cutting geometry on its aperture to prevent sticking, a coupling element for precise alignment, and an inclined aperture cover to enhance the cutting force, ensuring smooth operation and reduced cleaning requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If coffee beans are stored in a removable container with an aperture cover, then the container can be easily removed for filling and cleaning, but coffee beans may get stuck between the container and aperture cover causing operational disruptions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by adding a cutting geometry specifically at the aperture edge where beans stick, rather than modifying the entire container. This localized feature creates a cutting action that prevents bean accumulation at the critical interface between container and aperture cover, resolving the sticking problem while preserving easy removal operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potentially harmful friction and sticking force into a beneficial cutting action. The cutting geometry at the aperture edge uses the relative motion during insertion/removal to cut through bean residues, transforming the sticking problem into a self-cleaning mechanism that prevents operational disruptions.
2Ease of manufacture
If a simple aperture design is used in the container, then manufacturing is easier and device complexity is reduced, but coffee residues collect in the container housing requiring frequent cleaning
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by designing the aperture cover and container to work together in a way that automatically prevents bean residue accumulation. The cutting geometry and coordinated movement create a self-cleaning effect during normal operation, eliminating the need for frequent manual cleaning while maintaining simple manufacturing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by preventing bean sticking before it becomes a cleaning problem. The cutting geometry at the aperture edge proactively cuts through potential residues during insertion and removal, preventing accumulation that would later require cleaning intervention.
3Ease of operation
If the aperture cover is designed to slide freely for easy opening and closing, then operation is smoother, but precise alignment with the housing aperture becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses asymmetry in the coupling element design, creating a tapered or angled interface between the aperture cover and housing aperture. This asymmetric geometry provides natural alignment guidance during insertion, ensuring precise positioning while maintaining smooth sliding operation through the asymmetric motion path.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a coupling element as an intermediary between the aperture cover and housing aperture. This intermediate component facilitates both smooth movement and precise alignment by providing a controlled interface that guides the cover into proper position while allowing effortless operation.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a coffee machine (10) comprising: a coffee beans container housing (20) with a housing aperture (23) and a removable coffee beans container (30) having an aperture (32) and an aperture cover (33) for closing and opening the aperture (32) and a coupling element (40), wherein the container (30) has a cutting geometry (31) for cutting and grinding the coffee beans which stuck between the container (30) and the aperture cover (33). The present invention enables a coffee machine in which the probability of malfunction of the device has been limited by introduction of the cutting geometry on the edge of the aperture of the container. The geometry of the coupling element and the container housing provides the exact mutual positioning of the elements and provides a tight connection which prevents the leakage of the coffee residuals.