Drip Filter Coffee Machine Basket-Carafe Coupling to Reduce Leakage
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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 inefficiencies in coffee flow and handling due to the proximity of the drip stop valve actuator to the outlet, causing leakage and accumulation.
Innovation Solution
A mechanical coupling system between the filter basket and carafe, featuring a drip stop valve actuator with a torus-shaped central opening and a carafe with a spherical contact surface, allowing for centralised coffee flow and alignment independence from handle orientations, with a platform and locator system to ensure secure interlocking and reduced 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 an intermediary alignment mechanism consisting of a tapered pilot and locating features that mediate between the filter basket and carafe. This intermediary system ensures precise alignment of the small inlet opening with the discharge outlet, allowing the carafe to maintain good thermal insulation while eliminating alignment difficulties during use.
2Ease of operation
If the drip stop valve actuator is positioned close to the outlet to improve valve control, then valve control is improved, but coffee leakage and accumulation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the actuator from the problematic area near the outlet by positioning it on the opposite side of the filter basket. This separation removes the source of coffee accumulation and leakage while maintaining effective valve control through the extended actuator arm that reaches the drip stop valve.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanical linkage (actuator arm) that transmits the activating force from the remote actuator position to the drip stop valve. This intermediary mechanism allows the actuator to be positioned away from the outlet to prevent coffee accumulation while still providing effective valve control.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If the filter basket and carafe require specific alignment to prevent leakage, then leakage prevention is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary alignment action through the tapered pilot and locating features that automatically guide and position the filter basket relative to the carafe during insertion. This preliminary alignment ensures proper positioning before the brewing process begins, preventing leakage without requiring complex alignment procedures during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The alignment system is designed to be self-aligning through the tapered pilot and locating features that automatically position the filter basket and carafe correctly during insertion. This self-service alignment mechanism eliminates the need for external alignment tools or complex adjustment procedures, reducing device complexity while ensuring leakage prevention.
4Ease of operation
If the actuator is activated by carafe insertion to improve ease of operation, then ease of operation is improved, but spring force coordination becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the carafe insertion action with the actuator activation function. The carafe's downward movement during insertion directly activates the actuator, which in turn opens the drip stop valve. This merging of functions allows the system to benefit from the simplicity of carafe insertion while managing spring force coordination through integrated design.
Data Source
AI summary
The technology relates to drip filter coffee machines. In one form, the coffee machine has a body extending from a base, a platform having a platform, an upward facing surface and a coupling portion, and a filter basket a downward facing bottom surface supported on the upward facing surface, a recess located in the bottom surface of the filter basket to receive the coupling portion of the platform; a downward locating feature cooperating with the platform to aid alignment of the filter basket with the platform; and wherein the upward facing surface of the platform includes an upward locating feature engaging the downward location feature to aid in locating the filter basket in an engaged position with the coupling portion.