Coffee Maker Drip Stop Mechanism Using Slider and Catch Member
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing coffee makers lack an efficient mechanism to prevent coffee from dripping when the brew basket is removed, leading to spills and inconvenience.
Innovation Solution
A drip stop mechanism comprising a slider and catch member that moves between open and closed positions to control the beverage outlet, ensuring the coffee maker remains sealed during brew basket removal, utilizing a slider slidably mounted to the brew basket and a catch member pivotally mounted to the frame.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the brew basket is removed from the frame, then the brew basket can be cleaned or replaced, but coffee drips from the beverage outlet causing spills
Solution Approach 1:
The slider is moved to the closed position before the brew basket is fully removed from the frame. The catch member engages the slider at a predetermined position during removal, ensuring the beverage outlet is sealed in advance to prevent coffee dripping spills
Solution Approach 2:
The slider acts as an intermediary component between the brew basket and the frame. It physically blocks the beverage outlet when in the closed position, serving as a mediator to prevent coffee from dripping during brew basket removal
2Object-generated harmful factors
If a drip stop mechanism is added to the brew basket, then coffee dripping is prevented, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The slider is designed to be movable rather than fixed, transitioning between open and closed positions based on the brew basket's position. The catch member pivots between engaged and disengaged states, providing dynamic adaptation to operational conditions without requiring complex control systems
Solution Approach 2:
The drip stop mechanism operates automatically through the interaction between the slider and catch member. As the brew basket is inserted or removed, the catch member pivotally moves to engage or disengage the slider, causing it to move to the appropriate position without requiring user intervention or external control
Data Source
AI summary
A coffee maker includes a frame, and a brew basket slidably mounted to the frame. The brew basket includes a beverage outlet. A drip stop mechanism operatively associated with the brew basket includes a slider slidably mounted to an underside of the brew basket and a catch member mounted on the frame. The slider is adapted to move from a sealed, closed position where the beverage outlet is closed by the slider toward a brew, open position where the beverage outlet is open as the brew basket is being mounted on the frame. The slider is adapted to move from the open position toward the closed position as the brew basket is removed from the frame. The catch member is adapted to engage the slider as the brew basket is being mounted on the frame.