Integrated Bean Grinder Layout for Compact Automatic Coffee Machines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Coffee machines that use coffee beans are larger and less reliable compared to those using capsules or pods, making them less suitable for users with limited space and requiring more complex maintenance and coffee bean disposal.
Innovation Solution
An automatic coffee machine with an integrated grinder and infusion assembly that allows for compact design, automatic coffee bean grinding, and disposal of used coffee grounds, similar to capsule or pod machines, featuring a pivoted infusion assembly with hydraulic pistons and a drying fan for efficient coffee preparation and waste management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If coffee machines use coffee beans with integrated grinder and infusion assembly, then coffee preparation functionality is improved, but machine size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements nesting by placing the grinder (3) inside the infusion assembly (2), with the grinder positioned within the lower portion (2a) of the infusion assembly. The container (4) for coffee beans is also integrated into this nested structure, allowing multiple functional components to occupy overlapping spatial volumes and reducing the overall machine footprint.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the grinder function and infusion function into a single integrated assembly. The lower portion (2a) of the infusion assembly houses both the grinder (3) and the infusion chamber, while the upper portion (2b) contains the coffee bean container (4). This merging of previously separate functions into one compact unit directly addresses the space reduction objective.
2Adaptability or versatility
If coffee machines use coffee beans requiring manual disposal, then coffee preparation flexibility is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service through the automatic ejection mechanism. The lower portion (2a) of the infusion assembly is designed to automatically eject the used coffee slug (19) after the infusion cycle completes, without requiring user intervention for disposal. This automated waste ejection system maintains the flexibility of using coffee beans while eliminating the manual disposal burden.
3Adaptability or versatility
If coffee machines have complex maintenance requirements, then coffee preparation capability is improved, but reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the used coffee slug (19) from the infusion chamber and automatically ejects it through the lower portion (2a) of the infusion assembly. This extraction and automatic ejection mechanism prevents coffee grounds from remaining in the system, thereby eliminating the need for manual cleaning and maintenance of the infusion chamber, and improving overall system reliability.
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 machine enables efficient coffee preparation in reduced spaces with high reliability and low maintenance, matching the convenience and simplicity of capsule or pod machines, while ensuring effective coffee bean utilization and waste disposal.
Implementation Method 1
a drying fan for eliminating water vapour inside the infusion assembly
Implementation Method 2
The container 4 is adapted to allow the coffee beans to fall into the grinder 3 by gravity
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
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AI summary
An automatic machine (1) for preparing coffee, comprising an infusion assembly (2), a water tank, a heat exchanger with associated pump, and a grinder (3) for grinding coffee beans, the grinder being arranged in line with the infusion assembly (2) and horizontally with respect to a resting surface of the machine, a container (4) adapted to contain coffee beans being connected, in an upper region, to the grinder (3), the grinder (3) being connected to a chamber adapted to contain a scraper (15), the ground coffee being adapted to pass horizontally from the grinder (3) to the scraper (15), in order to accommodate within the scraper (15) a preset dose of ground coffee.