A coffee machine used with a capsule

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Solution Overview

Problem

Coffee machines using single-use capsules often fail to fully discharge coffee due to small particles sticking to the capsule base and sides, and deformation issues during opening, leading to wasted coffee and inconsistent taste.

Innovation Solution

A coffee machine design featuring a head that exerts pressure on the capsule to open it and applies a bumping motion to dislodge coffee particles, combined with a centering gap and magnets to prevent deformation and enhance discharge, and a sensor to detect capsule presence.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If the capsule is opened by applying pressure from the upper portion, then the capsule opening function is achieved, but coffee particles stick to the capsule base and side surfaces causing incomplete discharge

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoffee discharge completenessVSAvoidcoffee particle adhesion

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The head performs a bumping movement after opening the capsule, creating mechanical vibration that dislodges coffee particles stuck to the capsule base and side surfaces, enabling complete coffee discharge into the brewing chamber

Inventive Principle:

Principle #18Mechanical vibration

Solution Approach 2:

The tension means is pre-compressed during the capsule opening process, storing elastic energy that is then released as a bumping movement to shake loose coffee particles before brewing begins

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Quantity of substance

If the head exerts pressure to open the capsule, then the capsule opening function is achieved, but the capsule deforms and the folio cannot be fully cut

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoffee discharge completenessVSAvoidcapsule deformation

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The head is separated into distinct functional zones: a centering gap region that prevents capsule deformation during closing, and a bumping region that provides the necessary opening force without causing warping

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The centering protrusion acts as an intermediary element between the head and capsule, providing precise alignment and preventing excessive pressure that would cause deformation while still enabling effective opening

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Stability of the object's composition

If the cover rotates to close the housing, then the housing closure function is achieved, but the capsule becomes warped or bent

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehousing closure stabilityVSAvoidcapsule warping

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The centering gap extracts the problematic contact area from the closing mechanism, allowing the cover to rotate and close the housing without transmitting warping forces to the capsule during the rotation process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The centering protrusion and gap work together to automatically center and stabilize the capsule during cover closure, preventing warping without requiring additional active control mechanisms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 nearly complete coffee discharge, preventing waste and maintaining consistent taste by effectively opening and centering the capsule, while the magnets increase the discharge impulse and sensor ensures proper operation.

Implementation Method 1

a tension means that is disposed in the head, that stores the energy that realizes the bumping move by being compressed while the head exerts pressure to the capsule

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic energy storage: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

The pressure that the head exerts and the intensity of the bumping move after the capsule is opened are increased by magnets that are oppositely positioned on the cover and on the body so as to attract each other

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic attraction: Magnetism

Data Source

PatentEP3370583B1A coffee machine used with a capsule

Publication Date: 2023.01.25 ARCELIK AS

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AI summary

The present invention relates to the coffee machine (1), comprising a body (2); a housing (3) wherein preferably the single use capsule (K) is placed and that is disposed on the upper portion of the body (2); an opening apparatus (4) that enables the capsule (K) to be opened; a cover (5) that closes the top of the housing (3) when in the closed position, and that enables access to the housing (3) when in the open position, and a head (6) that is disposed on the lower surface of the cover (5) and that exerts pressure to the upper portion of the capsule (K) that is placed into the housing (3) while shifting from the open position to the closed position.