Coffee Machine Wastewater Pump Layout for Compact Housing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional coffee machines face a design compromise due to the need for a residual water container that must be both small enough to conserve space and large enough to minimize frequent emptying, with existing solutions not effectively utilizing upper installation space for a more compact design.
Innovation Solution
A conveyor device, such as a pump or water suction device, is used to relocate the residual water container above the beverage outlet, allowing it to be positioned in previously unused upper space, and a fill level device activates the conveyor only when necessary, optimizing space and reducing maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If the residual water container is made large to reduce emptying frequency, then the emptying frequency decreases, but the machine size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies vertical dimensionality change by relocating the residual water container from the traditional bottom position to the upper housing area (above the beverage outlet). This allows the container to utilize previously unused vertical space, enabling a larger container volume without increasing the machine's horizontal footprint, thus reducing emptying frequency while maintaining compact machine dimensions.
2Volume of stationary object
If the residual water container is made small to reduce machine size, then the machine becomes more compact, but the emptying frequency increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the vertical dimension by positioning the residual water container in the upper housing area, transforming the space utilization from horizontal to vertical. This enables the container to achieve sufficient volume for reduced emptying frequency while keeping the machine's overall horizontal dimensions compact.
3Device complexity
If gravity-based residual water collection is used to simplify the system, then the system becomes simpler, but the residual water container must be positioned at the bottom, increasing machine height
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the passive gravity-based collection system with an active pump-based conveyor system. This substitution enables the residual water container to be positioned in the upper housing area rather than at the bottom, allowing for more flexible and compact machine design while maintaining effective residual water collection functionality.
4Volume of stationary object
If a pump is installed in the upper housing area to enable compact design, then the machine becomes more compact, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a pump-based conveyor device in the upper housing area, replacing the gravity-based system. While this increases device complexity, it enables superior space utilization and compactness by allowing the residual water container to be positioned in the upper area, ultimately achieving a more optimized overall machine design.
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 approach enables a more compact machine design with less frequent emptying of the residual water container, reducing maintenance effort and energy consumption while adapting to available installation spaces.
Implementation Method 1
a conveyor device (4), for example a pump or a water suction device, which promotes, for example sucks or presses, residual water that has accumulated into the residual water container (5)
Data Source
Figure 1~3
AI summary
The vending machine (1) has a residual water container (5) for collecting residual water. A conveying unit (4), particularly a pump, is provided for supplying the accumulated residual water in the residual water container. The conveying unit is arranged between the residual water container and a residual water collecting point (3).