Drip filter coffee machine
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Solution Overview
Problem
Drip filter coffee machines face issues with unwanted discharge and alignment constraints between the filter basket and carafe, leading to leakage and limited flexibility in handle orientation during use.
Innovation Solution
A mechanical coupling system between the filter basket and carafe, featuring a drip stop valve actuator and a platform with a tapered pilot and locators, allowing for centralised coffee flow and flexible orientation of handles during use, including a torus-shaped actuator with radiused edges to minimize leakage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the carafe has a small inlet opening to improve insulation, then thermal insulation is improved, but alignment precision between filter basket and carafe becomes more critical
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a drip stop valve as an intermediary component between the filter basket outlet and carafe inlet. This valve acts as a mediator that can control and regulate the flow, compensating for misalignment issues while maintaining the small inlet opening for thermal insulation. The valve body with its sealing surface and actuator mechanism provides the necessary precision control without requiring precise alignment between the filter basket and carafe.
2Reliability
If the filter basket and carafe are constrained to specific orientations to ensure proper alignment, then discharge reliability is improved, but operational flexibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic alignment solution through the drip stop valve mechanism. The valve's actuator can be operated to open or close the discharge path, and the valve body is designed to maintain sealing contact regardless of minor orientation variations. This dynamic control mechanism allows the system to maintain reliable discharge while accommodating flexible handle orientations of both the filter basket and carafe.
3Productivity
If the drip stop valve actuator is positioned close to the outlet to ensure efficient actuation, then actuation efficiency is improved, but leakage risk increases due to coffee accumulation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the actuator with a torus (doughnut) shape featuring rounded edges and a central opening. This curved, spherical geometry prevents coffee from accumulating in sharp corners or flat surfaces where it could leak. The rounded surfaces allow coffee to flow smoothly through the central opening without pooling, while maintaining efficient actuation of the drip stop valve mechanism.
Data Source
AI summary
A filter basket for use with a coffee machine includes a valve selectively operable by a lever of the coffee machine to allow liquid coffee to exit the filter basket. The valve is spring biased to a closed position preventing liquid coffee from exiting the filter basket.