Coffee Maker Filter Basket Design for Easy Removal and Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional drip filter coffee machines have difficulties with filter basket removal due to the presence of the showerhead and cleaning challenges, and using pour-over type filters can be cumbersome.
Innovation Solution
A drip filter coffee machine design featuring a filter basket with a spring-biased lid and latch mechanism, along with a hinged lid that supports a water dispenser, allowing for easy removal and cleaning, and a fluid coupling system for seamless water flow management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a fixed showerhead is attached to the main body above the filter basket, then water distribution is achieved, but the filter basket becomes difficult to remove
Solution Approach 1:
The showerhead is divided into two separate parts: a fixed mounting structure attached to the main body and a removable showerhead component that attaches to the filter basket. This segmentation allows the filter basket to be easily removed without the showerhead, while the fixed mounting structure remains in place for water distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The showerhead is extracted from the main body structure and repositioned to attach to the filter basket. This extraction resolves the conflict by allowing the filter basket to be freely removed from the main body, while the showerhead can be detached when the basket is removed.
2Ease of operation
If a fixed showerhead is attached to the main body, then water dispensing is achieved, but the showerhead becomes difficult to clean
Solution Approach 1:
The showerhead is extracted from the main body and repositioned on the filter basket, making it accessible for cleaning. The removable design allows users to easily detach and clean the showerhead without navigating around a fixed mounting structure.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of attaching the showerhead to the main body (traditional approach), the invention inverts the attachment relationship by fixing the showerhead to the removable filter basket. This inversion makes the showerhead more accessible for cleaning while maintaining its water distribution function.
3Ease of operation
If a hinged lid with spring bias is used, then the lid opens easily, but a damping mechanism is required to control opening speed
Solution Approach 1:
A damping mechanism is introduced as an intermediary component between the spring bias and the lid. This mediator controls the speed of lid opening by dissipating the excess energy from the spring, allowing the lid to open easily while preventing uncontrolled movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The damping mechanism provides beforehand cushioning by controlling the lid's opening speed before the lid fully opens. This prevents the lid from opening too quickly or slamming, ensuring smooth and controlled operation.
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
Enhances user convenience by simplifying filter basket removal and cleaning, while ensuring efficient water distribution and coffee brewing processes.
Implementation Method 1
The lid is biased into an open position by a spring
Implementation Method 2
An opening of the lid into the open position is resisted by a damping mechanism carried by the filter basket
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 2A
AI summary
A coffee making appliance includes a water reservoir (3711), a heater (3714), a pump (3713), the pump (3713) configured to a draw water flow from the water reservoir (3711) and provide the water flow to the heater (3714), a water dispenser (3702), the water dispenser (3702) receiving the water flow from the heater (3714), and a control unit (3715), the control unit (3715) operable to independently control the pump (3713) and the heater (3714) so that the water (flowing) flow from the reservoir (3711) through the heater (3714) is selectively heated by a selective operation of the heater (3714) so that hot water or cold water is delivered from the heater (3714) to the water dispenser (3702).