Coffee maker
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional coffee makers face challenges in uniformly distributing water over ground coffee, leading to inconsistent coffee quality and nozzle clogging due to the lack of mechanical freedom in the water dispenser mechanism.
Innovation Solution
A coffee maker with a dispenser featuring a rotatable arm and dual actuators that enable linear and angular displacement of the nozzle, allowing for high-degree freedom of motion to optimize water distribution and avoid coffee grounds, thus preventing clogs and ensuring uniform extraction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a fixed nozzle is used to supply water to ground coffee, then the structure is simple, but the water distribution is non-uniform and the nozzle is prone to clogging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by transforming the fixed nozzle into a movable nozzle system. The nozzle is mounted on a rotatable arm that can dynamically adjust its position and orientation. This dynamic configuration allows the nozzle to move across different areas of the coffee grounds, achieving uniform water distribution while avoiding clogging by not remaining stationary over one spot.
Solution Approach 2:
The dispenser mechanism is segmented into multiple independent components: a rotatable arm, a nozzle assembly, and actuation mechanisms. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently - the arm provides rotational movement, while the nozzle focuses water delivery. The segmentation enables complex motion patterns without requiring an overly complex integrated mechanism.
2Reliability
If a movable nozzle with high degree of freedom is used, then the water distribution is uniform and clogging is avoided, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses dynamic movement to prevent clogging. The nozzle is equipped with actuators that enable it to move in multiple degrees of freedom - rotating along the arm and adjusting its orientation. This continuous motion prevents coffee grounds from accumulating and blocking the nozzle, as the nozzle constantly changes position rather than remaining fixed.
Solution Approach 2:
The nozzle system performs self-service by automatically adjusting its own position and orientation through the actuator mechanisms. The system self-regulates to maintain optimal positioning for water distribution and automatically avoids areas where coffee grounds might accumulate, eliminating the need for external intervention to prevent clogging.
3Productivity
If water is supplied intensively to a specific portion of ground coffee, then the dispenser structure is simple, but the coffee extraction quality is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic nozzle positioning to achieve uniform water distribution across the coffee grounds. The rotatable arm and actuator mechanisms enable the nozzle to move systematically over different portions of the coffee bed, ensuring that water is distributed evenly rather than concentrated in one area. This dynamic coverage pattern directly improves extraction quality by contacting all coffee grounds uniformly.
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
This design enables efficient and uniform coffee extraction, allowing for various brewing methods and recipes, while preventing nozzle clogging, thereby enhancing coffee quality and the reliability of the coffee maker.
Implementation Method 1
The first actuator can include a rack gear that is disposed at the arm and that is coupled to the nozzle, a pinion disposed at the arm and that is configured to move the rack gear
Implementation Method 2
a second actuator that is disposed at the arm and that is configured to rotate the nozzle to orient the nozzle at a predetermined angle relative to the inlet of the extractor
Implementation Method 3
a second motor that is connected to a first end of the arm and that is configured to rotate the arm
Data Source
AI summary
A coffee maker includes: an extractor that is configured to receive ground coffee and water and that is configured to extract liquid coffee from the ground coffee and the water, and a dispenser configured to supply the water to the ground coffee in the extractor. The dispenser includes an arm that is rotatably disposed above an inlet of the extractor and that includes a nozzle configured to supply the water to the extractor, a first actuator that is disposed at the arm and that is configured to move the nozzle to a position where the nozzle is above the inlet of the extractor, and a second actuator that is disposed at the arm and that is configured to rotate the nozzle to orient the nozzle at a predetermined angle relative to the inlet of the extractor.