A coffee maker comprising a connector group

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing coffee makers fail to adequately prevent liquid overflow and ensure electrical safety due to insufficient sealing, leading to potential arcing and combustion risks at connector terminals.

Innovation Solution

A coffee maker design featuring a connector group with inclined flow guiding surfaces and inner guiding fins that redirect liquid away from terminals, incorporating terminal protrusions and openings to prevent liquid contact and ensure safe electrical connections.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional sealing structures are used around the connector, then the device structure is simple, but liquid overflow cannot be adequately prevented and electrical safety is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical safetyVSAvoidconnector structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The connector is divided into multiple functional components: terminal ends for electrical connection, terminal protrusions for isolation, flow guiding surfaces for liquid redirection, and openings for liquid discharge. Each segment performs a specific function to collectively ensure electrical safety while managing liquid overflow.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Terminal protrusions act as intermediary elements between terminal ends, creating physical barriers that prevent liquid from forming continuous conductive paths. These protrusions serve as mediators that block the harmful effect of liquid while maintaining the electrical connection function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If sealing structures are added to prevent liquid overflow, then electrical safety improves, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveliquid contact with terminalsVSAvoidconnector group structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The flow guiding surfaces are locally applied only in the areas where liquid overflow is most likely to occur around the terminal ends. The inclination angle and positioning are optimized for specific zones to redirect liquid away from terminals without requiring complete restructuring of the entire connector.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of trying to seal and contain liquid away from the connector, the design inverts the approach by providing controlled pathways (openings) for liquid to escape and use flow guiding surfaces to direct liquid flow away from critical areas, accepting liquid presence while preventing harmful effects.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Reliability

If terminal protrusions are added to prevent liquid connection, then electrical safety increases, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveterminal isolationVSAvoidconnector production

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The terminal protrusions are merged with the terminal ends as integral features of the same component structure. This combining of isolation features with connection elements simplifies manufacturing by reducing the number of separate parts and assembly steps while maintaining the terminal isolation function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 design effectively prevents liquid from forming connections between terminals, ensuring safe operation and reducing the risk of arcing and combustion, while also facilitating efficient liquid removal.

Implementation Method 1

a flow guiding surface which corresponds to each terminal end and which is guided so as to be inclined towards the connector group base

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Implementation Method 2

the liquid is quickly removed from the terminals. Said flow guiding surface extends across a portion of the lower connector part

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid flow guidance:

Implementation Method 3

the lower connector part comprises an inner guiding fin which is inclined towards the connector group base at the inner part so as to guide a liquid leak into the opening

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSurface geometry guidance:

Implementation Method 4

an opposite protrusion which is provided on the lower connector part and which bears against each terminal protrusion in an aligned manner. Thus, even if the liquid passes into the terminal area, it cannot form a connection between the terminals

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhysical barrier: Physical Containment

Data Source

PatentEP4393354B1A coffee maker comprising a connector group

Publication Date: 2025.10.08 ARCELIK AS

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AI summary

The present invention relates to a coffee maker (1) comprising a brewing pot (3) which has lateral surfaces and wherein the brewing process is performed; a brewing chamber (21) wherein the brewing pot (3) is placed; a heater which provides the heating of the brewing pot (3); a connector group (6) which is disposed at the bottom of the brewing chamber (11) and which is suitable for providing electrical connection with the brewing pot (3); and a control unit which controls the brewing process.