Disassemblable double-walled filter for coffee machine with tightening element
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing coffee machine filters are complex to construct and assemble, and difficult to clean due to their numerous components, requiring disassembly and reassembly during cleaning operations.
Innovation Solution
A coffee machine filter with a cup-shaped body and a filtering wall that uses a bayonet-type connection with a tubular element for quick assembly and disassembly, eliminating the need for a threaded locking ring and reducing the number of components, featuring a disk with a dispensing hole for flow acceleration and froth creation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a threaded locking ring and multiple components are used to secure the filtering wall and seal, then the filter structure is reliable and secure, but the filter becomes complex to construct and difficult to clean
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the filtering wall, seal, and tightening member into a single integrated assembly that can be secured to the cup-shaped body as one unit. The tightening member integrates both the sealing function and the securing function, eliminating the need for separate locking rings and multiple fastening components. This merging reduces the total number of parts while maintaining reliable connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The filter is designed with modular segments that can be easily separated for cleaning. The filtering wall and seal assembly can be detached as a unit from the cup-shaped body through the bayonet connection, allowing simple disassembly into manageable cleaning segments without requiring complete disintegration of all components.
2Reliability
If multiple components are used in the filter structure, then the filter can be securely assembled, but the cleaning operation requires disassembly and reassembly of all components
Solution Approach 1:
The filtering wall, seal, and tightening member are merged into a single removable assembly that can be detached and reattached as one unit. This allows the entire filtering assembly to be cleaned together without requiring separate disassembly of individual components, significantly reducing cleaning time while maintaining secure assembly through the integrated design.
Solution Approach 2:
The bayonet-type connection provides a dynamic quick-connect/quick-disconnect mechanism that enables rapid removal of the filtering assembly for cleaning and quick reattachment afterward. This dynamic connection system allows the filter to transition between secured operational state and detached cleaning state in seconds, minimizing downtime.
3Productivity
If a flow regulation valve is used to control beverage flow, then the flow can be regulated, but the filter construction becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the flow regulation valve from the filter assembly entirely, extracting this function from the system. Instead of using a mechanical valve to control flow, the design relies on the natural flow dynamics through the filtering wall and the acceleration effect at the exit opening to create the desired beverage flow and foam formation, eliminating an entire component.
Solution Approach 2:
The filter design allows the beverage flow to self-regulate through the filtering wall structure and the geometry of the exit opening. The system uses the pressure differential and flow dynamics inherent in the brewing process to naturally control the flow rate and create foam, without requiring an active flow regulation valve or additional control mechanisms.
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 bayonet-type connection simplifies the assembly and disassembly process, making cleaning more efficient and reducing construction complexity, while the dispensing hole eliminates the need for flow regulation valves, enhancing the production of coffee cream and froth.
Implementation Method 1
the tubular element is directly constrained to the cup-shaped body by means of a bayonet-type connection
Implementation Method 2
the dispensing hole eliminates the need for flow regulation valves, enhancing the production of coffee cream and froth
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
A filter for a coffee machine comprises a cup-shaped body (2) for containing coffee powder, having at least a bottom wall (3) having an opening (5); a filtering wall (6) placed in the cup-shaped body (2) upstream of the opening (5) and removably associated with the cup-shaped body (2); a seal (7) placed at least between one edge (6b) of the filtering wall (6) and the cup-shaped body (2); a tightening member (8) active on the filtering wall (6) and on the seal (7) so as to reversibly fix said filtering wall (6) and said seal (7) to the cup-shaped body (2); said tightening member (8) comprising a tubular element (9) connected to the filtering wall (6) and to the seal (7) and arranged through the opening (5); said tubular element (9) being directly constrained to the cup-shaped body (2) by means of a bayonet-type connection.