Attachment for a coffee maker
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional coffee machines are limited to producing espresso and cannot make tea or tea-like beverages, restricting their functionality.
Innovation Solution
A retrofit attachment for coffee machines that includes a container for tea, a fastening device for secure attachment, a feed device with a horizontally or diagonally oriented screw conveyor to feed tea into the brewing chamber, and an optional electromagnetic drive for controlled dosing, allowing for the brewing of various types of tea using the coffee machine's existing infrastructure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional coffee machines are used, then espresso production is possible, but tea or tea-like beverages cannot be produced
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment device enables the coffee machine to perform multiple functions by adding tea brewing capability while utilizing the existing coffee brewing infrastructure. The attachment includes a container for tea, a feed device with screw conveyor, and integrates with the existing brewing chamber and high-pressure pump system, allowing both espresso and tea beverages to be produced by the same machine
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment device is nested onto the existing coffee machine structure. The container for tea is positioned above the brewing chamber, and the feed device with screw conveyor integrates into the existing feed chute system. This nested configuration allows the attachment to be accommodated within the spatial constraints of the coffee machine without requiring a complete redesign
2Adaptability or versatility
If a retrofit attachment is added to enable tea brewing, then beverage versatility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment uses the existing coffee machine infrastructure (brewing chamber, high-pressure pump, feed chute) for tea brewing, making the attachment system universally applicable to both coffee and tea preparation without requiring separate dedicated systems for each beverage type
Solution Approach 2:
The screw conveyor in the feed device is designed to automatically convey tea from the container through the feed chute into the brewing chamber using the existing high-pressure water flow and mechanical drive, reducing the need for additional complex control mechanisms and manual intervention
3Measurement precision
If screw conveyor is used for tea dosing, then automatic dosing precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The screw conveyor replaces manual dosing mechanisms with an automated mechanical system that uses rotational movement to precisely control the amount of tea conveyed. The screw design allows for consistent dosing by controlling the number of rotations and the pitch of the screw, providing precise dosing through simple mechanical means rather than complex electronic controls
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
Enables the production of tea beverages on conventional coffee machines, reducing waste, conserving resources, and providing a fresh, natural tea taste without the need for instant teas or excessive packaging, while being cost-effective and environmentally friendly.
Implementation Method 1
a feed device with at least one conveyor screw oriented horizontally or diagonally downwards in the conveying direction for conveying the tea from the container to and/or into the coffee machine
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to an attachment (10) for a coffee machine, preferably a fully automatic coffee machine, comprising at least one container (12) for tea, a fastening device (18) for attaching the attachment to and/or on the coffee machine, and at least one feeding device (20) with at least one conveying screw (22) oriented horizontally or inclined downwards in the conveying direction for conveying the tea from the container (12) to and/or into the coffee machine.