Double-walled filter for coffee machine with improved dispensing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing coffee machine filters face issues with rapid decline in functionality due to impurities and encrustations forming between the bottom wall and filtering wall, making cleaning complex and potentially damaging, especially at the small dispensing hole, leading to inconsistent efficiency and potential damage.

Innovation Solution

A coffee machine filter with a removably coupled filtering wall and a seal made of elastomeric material, such as food-grade silicone, allows for easy disassembly and cleaning, including the use of energetic mechanical actions to remove encrustations without damaging the dispensing hole, and enables replacement of the seal to restore functionality if damaged.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the filtering wall is non-removably fixed to the cup-shaped body, then the filter structure is simpler, but impurities and encrustations form rapidly in the gap between the bottom wall and filtering wall, causing rapid decline in functionality

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefilter structureVSAvoidfilter functionality

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The filter is divided into separable components: the filtering wall can be removed from the cup-shaped body, and the seal can be separated from both the cup-shaped body and filtering wall. This segmentation allows each component to be cleaned independently, preventing encrustation buildup while maintaining structural simplicity during operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The filter transitions from a static, fixed structure to a dynamic, reconfigurable one. The filtering wall and seal can be removed and reattached, allowing the filter to adapt between operational state (assembled) and cleaning state (disassembled), thereby maintaining reliability over time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If the filtering wall is removably coupled to the cup-shaped body to enable cleaning, then cleaning accessibility is improved, but the number of components increases and assembly complexity rises

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning accessibilityVSAvoidnumber of components

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Productivity

If mechanical tools are used to clean the dispensing hole, then encrustations can be removed effectively, but the small size of the hole makes cleaning complex and risks damaging the hole

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning effectivenessVSAvoiddamage risk to dispensing hole

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The seal containing the dispensing hole is extracted as a separate, replaceable component. This allows the dispensing hole to be cleaned with aggressive mechanical tools without risk of damage, and if damaged, the entire seal can be replaced without replacing the entire filter assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The seal is designed as a consumable component that can be easily replaced. If the dispensing hole becomes damaged beyond repair, the entire seal can be substituted with a new one, restoring filter functionality without needing to replace the expensive cup-shaped body or filtering wall.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

4Strength

If the seal is made of elastomeric material, then the seal is more deformable and resistant to damage during cleaning, but the material selection becomes more constrained

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseal durabilityVSAvoidmaterial selection

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The seal material properties are changed from rigid to elastomeric (such as food-grade silicone). This parameter change increases deformability and damage resistance during cleaning operations, while the material constraints are managed through specification of suitable elastomeric materials that meet food safety requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 design simplifies filter maintenance and cleaning, ensures long-lasting effectiveness by preventing damage to the dispensing hole and allowing for easy restoration of functionality, maintaining the filter's performance over time.

Implementation Method 1

the seal is made of elastomeric material making it deformable and allowing such actions without the risk of damaging the hole

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3429439B1Double-walled filter for coffee machine with improved dispensing

Publication Date: 2021.09.29 DE LONGHI APPLIANCES SRL

Figure 1~2

AI summary

A double-walled filter for a coffee machine with improved dispensing 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); said seal (7) being placed on said bottom wall (3) and having a dispensing hole (8) for dispensing a beverage at said opening (5).