Coffee machine with automatic locking of the filter-holder
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Solution Overview
Problem
Semi-automatic coffee machines require significant physical effort from operators to securely couple and uncouple the filter-holder to the water injection assembly, leading to operator fatigue, especially in high-volume settings, and involve multiple interactions with different machine elements for activation of functions.
Innovation Solution
A coffee machine with an automation device that automatically tight-couples and uncouples the filter-holder to the water injection assembly using a toothed ring nut and drive device, reducing operator effort and simplifying interactions through a magnetic positioning system and user interface that senses operator actions to control the automation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual coupling of filter-holder to water injection assembly is used, then device complexity is reduced, but operator fatigue increases due to significant physical effort required
Solution Approach 1:
The filter-holder automatically locks to the water injection assembly through its own weight and the bayonet coupling mechanism. The inclined plane and abutment plane geometry causes automatic axial displacement and fluid-tight coupling without requiring external actuation or complex motorized systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex motorized coupling mechanisms with a simple mechanical bayonet coupling system using inclined planes and abutment planes. The coupling is achieved through pure mechanical geometry rather than electronic control or complex actuation systems.
2Productivity
If manual tight-coupling of filter-holder is required, then device complexity remains low, but operator fatigue increases due to repetitive physical exertion
Solution Approach 1:
The filter-holder is pre-configured with bayonet fins and the water injection assembly has pre-positioned slots with inclined planes. When the filter-holder is inserted, the geometry automatically guides the fins into the slots and the inclined planes convert rotational motion into axial displacement, preparing the fluid-tight coupling without requiring additional manual steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling mechanism transforms the static insertion position into a dynamic locked position through rotation. The bayonet fins rotating along the slots with inclined planes create a dynamic mechanical advantage that automatically achieves tight-coupling as the operator rotates the filter-holder into place.
3Loss of time
If multiple sequential operations are required for filter-holder coupling, then manufacturing precision is simplified, but loss of time increases due to multiple steps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the insertion operation and tight-coupling operation into a single continuous action. The bayonet coupling mechanism allows the operator to insert and lock the filter-holder in one rotational motion, combining what would otherwise be separate steps into a unified gesture that reduces time and simplifies the procedure.
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 automation significantly reduces operator fatigue and simplifies the coupling process, allowing for efficient and consistent fluid-tight coupling without excessive physical exertion, while also streamlining the operation of coffee machine functions.
Implementation Method 1
an electronic sensory system (41) configured to sense actions by an operator on the handle (11) of the filter-holder (7)
Implementation Method 2
magnetic positioning system
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
The coffee machine (1) comprises a supporting body (6) designed to deliver hot water for producing a beverage; a filter-holder (7) designed to be filled with a brewing material and to be releasably coupleable to the supporting body (6) to receive hot water therefrom for brewing the brewing material and producing a beverage; a coupling device (17) comprising a first coupling part (24) mounted on the supporting body (6) and a second coupling part (16) carried by the filter-holder (7), and is configured to allow the filter- holder (7) to assume a tightening configuration as a result of a relative rotation of the first coupling part (24) and the second coupling part (16); an automation device (29) configured to cause the first coupling part (24) and the second coupling part (16) to relatively rotate at least partially automatically: and a user interface (40) configured to sense one or different actions by a user on the filler-holder (7) or one or different forces applied to the frame (2) indirectly through the filter-holder (7) or directly by a user and to cause the coupling device (17) to light-couple and uncouple and/or a beverage delivery to start and stop in response to sensed actions or forces.