Coffee Machine Cup Support Openings With Auto-Closing Covers
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Beverage preparation devices, such as coffee machines, face issues with soiling and poor cleanability due to unoccupied insertion openings that are not easily closable, leading to aesthetic and maintenance challenges.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of closure means, such as adjustable closure elements and energy storage mechanisms, to automatically close unused insertion openings, preventing dirt entry and enhancing the device's appearance and cleanability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple insertion openings are provided on the housing front side for alternatively accommodating a storage device, then the adaptability and versatility of the beverage preparation device is improved, but the insertion openings that are not used or have not been occupied for a long period of time tend to become soiled, worsening the cleanability and aesthetic appearance
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful factor (dirt accumulation) is extracted from the system by providing closure means that can seal off unused insertion openings, effectively removing the problem area from the environment while preserving the useful function of available openings
Solution Approach 2:
Closure means are provided that can proactively close insertion openings before they become soiled, preventing the harmful effect of dirt accumulation in advance. The closure means act as a preliminary protective measure against soiling
2Object-affected harmful factors
If closure means are provided for closing unused insertion openings, then the cleanability and aesthetic appearance are improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional closure mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The closure means are designed to serve multiple functions: they close unused insertion openings to prevent soiling, improve aesthetic appearance, and can be integrated with the storage device insertion/removal process. This multi-functionality justifies the added complexity by delivering multiple benefits from a single mechanism
Solution Approach 2:
The closure means are designed to be automatically actuated by the insertion or removal of the storage device itself, without requiring separate control mechanisms. The storage device's own movement triggers the closure action, reducing the need for additional complex control systems
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a beverage preparation device (1), in particular a coffee machine, with a housing (2), an outlet (5) for discharging a beverage into a beverage container and a support element (6) for supporting the beverage container, said support element being arranged in a detachable manner in the insert openings (9, 10) which are arranged on the front side of the housing (4) and which are at variable distances to the outlet (5). According to the invention, the insertion openings (9, 10) are associated with closure means (12) for closing the insertion openings (9, 10) when the support device (6) is not inserted.