Compact Beverage Machine with Open-Top Boiler for Safe Heating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beverage machines have safety hazards due to sealed heating containers and are bulky with inefficient spatial layouts, making them inconvenient to use.
Innovation Solution
A compact beverage machine design with a detachable brewing mechanism, an open-top boiler, and integrated components like a liquid pump and power supply board, which improves safety and manufacturability, and includes a safety switch and thermistor for temperature control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If a sealed container is used for heating, then heating efficiency is improved, but safety hazards increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the harmful sealed environment and replaces it with an open-top boiler design. The heating element is exposed to atmosphere, eliminating pressure buildup risks while maintaining heating efficiency through direct thermal contact between the heating element and water.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potential harm of exposed heating elements (safety risks) into a benefit by using the open-top design to enable visual monitoring of water levels and heating processes, while safety switches and thermal fuses provide automated protection mechanisms that turn potential vulnerabilities into safety features.
2Ease of manufacture
If components are separately mounted, then ease of manufacture is improved, but device volume increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple components including the heating element, pump, and control electronics into an integrated base unit. The boiler is directly coupled to the heating element, and the pump is integrated into the water delivery system, creating a compact assembly that reduces overall machine volume while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs nested arrangements where smaller components are positioned within or around larger structures. For example, the heating element is positioned within the boiler chamber, the pump is integrated into the base structure, and control electronics are housed within the main body, maximizing space utilization and minimizing external dimensions.
3Volume of stationary object
If spatial layout is optimized for compactness, then machine volume is reduced, but ease of operation may worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by positioning frequently accessed components (water tank, cup holder, control panel) at ergonomically optimal locations within the compact structure. The open-top boiler allows easy visual inspection and maintenance without requiring disassembly, while the detachable brewing mechanism can be easily removed for cleaning, maintaining operational convenience despite reduced overall size.
4Volume of stationary object
If integrated mounting is used, then device volume is reduced, but ease of repair worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the machine into distinct functional modules: the base unit with heating element and pump, the detachable brewing mechanism, and the open-top boiler. This modular segmentation allows individual components to be easily removed and replaced for repair while maintaining the compact integrated appearance during normal operation. The detachable brewing mechanism can be separated for independent cleaning and maintenance.
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 compact design reduces the overall volume of the machine, enhances safety by preventing overheating, and simplifies maintenance, while ensuring efficient brewing and temperature control.
Implementation Method 1
a heating device (7) provided to a bottom of the boiler
Implementation Method 2
a liquid pump, disposed to the frame and connected between the boiler and the brewing cavity
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are a beverage machine and a method for controlling the beverage machine. The beverage machine comprises: a machine body, a brewing mechanism, a frame, a boiler, a liquid pump, and a power supply board. The machine body further comprises a machine head, a body, and a base, connected in sequence from top to bottom; the brewing mechanism is detachably disposed on the machine head, and the brewing mechanism is provided with a brewing chamber; the frame is disposed within the body; the boiler, liquid pump, and power supply board are disposed on the frame; the boiler is connected to the brewing chamber, and the interior of the boiler is in communication with the external atmosphere; the liquid pump is connected between the boiler and the brewing chamber.