A coffee machine

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Solution Overview

Problem

In coffee machines without a cooking slot, alignment of the cooking container with the heater is user-dependent, leading to inadequate heating, potential overcooking, erroneous coffee level detection, and risk of the container being knocked over.

Innovation Solution

A magnetic member is integrated into the coffee machine to align and secure a ferromagnetic cooking container, ensuring complete alignment with the heater and preventing knockovers through magnetic force, with optional features like a compartment and projections for enhanced stability and thermal insulation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If a cooking slot is used to align the cooking container with the heater, then alignment precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvealignment precisionVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical cooking slot alignment system with a magnetic field-based alignment system. The magnetic member generates a magnetic field that automatically aligns the ferromagnetic cooking container with the heater, eliminating the need for complex mechanical slot structures while achieving precise alignment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the alignment mechanism from mechanical constraint to magnetic force interaction. By utilizing the magnetic properties of the cooking container material, the system achieves alignment through field interaction rather than physical constraint, simplifying the overall device structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Device complexity

If no cooking slot is used, then device complexity is reduced, but alignment precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice complexityVSAvoidalignment precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of operation

If the cooking container is left unsecured, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of operationVSAvoidreliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses magnetic force to secure the cooking container during the cooking process. The magnetic attraction between the magnetic member and the ferromagnetic cooking container provides reliable holding force without requiring mechanical clamps or locks, maintaining ease of operation while ensuring reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Manufacturing precision

If the magnetic member is positioned to maximize alignment force, then alignment precision is improved, but the cooking container may be pulled too strongly causing impact

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvealignment precisionVSAvoidimpact force

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates a compartment structure that acts as a cushioning element between the magnetic member and the cooking container. This compartment allows the cooking container to be pulled by magnetic force while preventing direct impact with the body, absorbing the shock and reducing harmful impact forces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

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 magnetic alignment ensures efficient heating, prevents accidents, and maintains coffee quality by ensuring complete contact with the heater, reducing the risk of overcooking and improving user convenience.

Implementation Method 1

a magnetic member provided in a body, enabling a cooking container made of ferromagnetic material to be aligned by attracting it by means of magnetic force

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic force: Magnetism

Implementation Method 2

The cooking process is performed by heating the cooking container by means of a heater disposed on the base of the cooking slot

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Data Source

PatentEP3801147B1A coffee machine

Publication Date: 2023.07.05 ARCELIK AS

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AI summary

The present invention relates to a coffee machine (1) comprising a body (2), a heater (3) provided in the body (2), realizing the cooking process, a cooking container (4) in which the cooking process is performed, made of ferromagnetic material, and a resting surface (5) provided on the heater (3), on which the cooking container (4) is placed.