Coffee Machine Water Tank Lateral Insertion Using Hinge Contour
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional coffee machines with removable water tanks require significant vertical space for insertion and removal, making them unsuitable for placement under wall units in kitchens due to the need for vertical access.
Innovation Solution
A coffee machine design featuring a lateral insertion and removal mechanism for the water tank using an inclined holding/hinge contour and counter-contour, allowing the tank to be rotated into an upright position, ensuring secure attachment and minimizing space requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the water tank is inserted vertically from above, then the connection to the inlet is simple, but significant vertical space is required for insertion and removal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the insertion dimension from vertical to lateral by introducing a hinge joint that enables rotational movement. The water tank is inserted horizontally and rotated into a vertical operating position, eliminating the need for vertical clearance during insertion and removal operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge joint introduces dynamic capability to the water tank assembly, allowing it to transition between horizontal (insertion/removal) and vertical (operating) positions. This dynamic mechanism resolves the space conflict by enabling positional transformation rather than requiring fixed vertical clearance.
2Length of stationary object
If the water tank is removed from the side laterally, then vertical space requirements are reduced, but reliable retention in both removal and operating positions must be ensured
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge joint provides dynamic retention capability, allowing the water tank to be securely held in both horizontal (removal) and vertical (operating) positions through controlled rotational movement. The hinge mechanism ensures reliable retention while enabling lateral insertion and removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge joint changes the positional parameters of the water tank, enabling it to assume different stable positions (horizontal for removal, vertical for operation). This parameter transformation allows lateral access while maintaining secure retention in both configurations.
3Length of stationary object
If a hinge joint is used for lateral insertion, then space efficiency is improved, but the assembly and disassembly mechanism becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge joint introduces a single dynamic element that enables lateral insertion while maintaining relatively simple assembly. The rotational mechanism provides the necessary functionality without requiring complex multi-component systems, balancing space efficiency with manufacturing complexity.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The present invention relates to a coffee machine (1) with a removable water tank (2). It is essential to the invention that the coffee machine (2) has a holding/hinge contour (3) which interacts with a counter-contour (4) on the water tank (2) in such a way that the water tank (2) is in an inclined removal position on the holding / hinge contour (3) can be placed and rotated about it into an upright operating position, the holding/hinge contour (3) and the counter-contour (4) being designed in such a way that the water tank (2) can be used both in its inclined removal position and in its upright operating position is reliably held on the coffee machine (1).