Coffee Infusion Unit with Piston Compression for Grounds Drainage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Drip coffee machines are prone to residue buildup from spent coffee grounds, requiring frequent and meticulous manual cleaning, and the need for paper filters contributes to environmental impact.
Innovation Solution
A coffee machine with a movable infusion unit and ejection piston system that allows for easy operation by closing the infusion chamber during brewing and compressing spent coffee grounds for liquid drainage, eliminating the need for manual cleaning and reducing environmental impact by simplifying filter replacement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a paper filter is used in drip coffee machines, then the machine structure remains simple with low production costs, but the machine requires frequent manual cleaning and generates environmental waste
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and removes the paper filter from the system entirely. Instead of using a paper filter, the machine employs a reusable metal mesh filter that is integrated into the brewing chamber, eliminating the need for disposable filters and reducing cleaning frequency while maintaining structural simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The invention recovers and reuses the filtering component by implementing a permanent metal mesh filter that can be easily removed, cleaned, and reused indefinitely, replacing the single-use paper filter model and reducing both cleaning frequency and environmental impact
2Ease of manufacture
If a paper filter is used in drip coffee machines, then the machine structure remains simple with low production costs, but environmental impact increases due to filter disposal
Solution Approach 1:
The invention recovers and reuses the filtering component by implementing a permanent metal mesh filter that can be easily removed, cleaned, and reused indefinitely, replacing the single-use paper filter model and reducing both cleaning frequency and environmental impact
Solution Approach 2:
The invention inverts the disposable concept by using a durable, reusable metal mesh filter instead of cheap disposable paper filters, eliminating the need for continuous filter replacement and reducing waste generation
3Device complexity
If manual cleaning is required for drip coffee machines, then the machine structure remains simple, but operation complexity increases due to meticulous cleaning requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and removes the paper filter from the system entirely. Instead of using a paper filter, the machine employs a reusable metal mesh filter that is integrated into the brewing chamber, eliminating the need for disposable filters and reducing cleaning frequency
Solution Approach 2:
The invention enables self-service cleaning by designing a filter system that can be easily removed and cleaned by the user without requiring disassembly of the brewing chamber or complex cleaning procedures, making maintenance simple and intuitive
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 coffee machine provides easy, reliable, and clean operation by automating the cleaning process, reducing maintenance and environmental impact through efficient liquid drainage and spent coffee grounds management.
Implementation Method 1
a second course of translational movement in the same direction as the first course of translational movement, for compression of the load of spent coffee grounds against the closing piston and drainage of the liquid contained therein
Implementation Method 2
a boiler for heating a flow of infusion water
Implementation Method 3
a closing piston that is engageable for closure of the infusion chamber
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The coffee machine (1) comprises a controller, a boiler for heating a flow of infusion water, a movable infusion unit (3) that comprises an open infusion chamber (4) connected to a dispensing line (6) for dispensing the coffee infusion and an ejection piston (9) slidably supported in the infusion chamber (4), a supply line (5) for supplying said flow of infusion water to the infusion unit (3), a closing piston (8) that is engageable for closure of the infusion chamber (4), the controller being programmed to subject the infusion unit (3), prior to execution of the infusion process, to a first course of translational movement for closure of the infusion chamber (4) by the closing piston (8), and to subject the infusion chamber (4) and the ejection piston (9) or only the ejection piston (9), following execution of the infusion process, to a second course of translational movement in the same direction as the first course of translational movement, for compression of the load of spent coffee grounds (33) against the closing piston (8) and drainage of the liquid contained therein.