Drip filter coffee maker
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Solution Overview
Problem
Drip-filter coffee makers lack features that enhance coffee quality, ease of use, and user experience, such as an integrated coffee grinder, efficient water filling, and brew volume optimization.
Innovation Solution
A drip-filter coffee maker with an integral plate burr grinder, a telescopic water fill port facilitated by a spring biasing mechanism, and a carafe with a fill level indicator, which allows for precise control over coffee grounds delivery and brewing parameters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If an integral plate burr grinder is added to improve coffee quality, then coffee quality is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the plate burr grinder directly into the coffee maker housing, combining two separate functions (grinding and brewing) into a single unified device. This merging approach delivers consistent grind quality while avoiding the need for a separate standalone grinder, thus limiting the increase in device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The coffee maker is designed to perform multiple functions: housing the plate burr grinder for coffee bean grinding, brewing coffee using a filter cone, and providing a telescopic water fill port. This multi-functionality allows the device to deliver consistent grind quality while consolidating features that would otherwise require separate devices.
2Ease of operation
If a telescopic water fill port is implemented to improve ease of use, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The water fill port is designed to be telescopic, allowing it to extend outward when needed for easy access during water filling, and retract when not in use. This dynamic adjustment provides ease of operation during the filling process while maintaining a compact form factor when the feature is not actively being used.
Solution Approach 2:
The telescopic water fill port is positioned and configured in advance within the eject drawer housing, allowing users to easily access and fill water without needing to locate or manipulate complex mechanisms during the actual filling process. The port is pre-positioned for optimal user access.
3Ease of operation
If a spring biasing mechanism is added to assist eject drawer opening to improve ease of operation, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spring biasing mechanism is installed within the eject drawer assembly to provide mechanical assistance that counteracts the weight and friction of the drawer and its contents. This spring assistance makes it easier for users to open and operate the eject drawer, while the spring mechanism itself is compact and integrated into the existing drawer structure.
4Ease of operation
If an eject drawer housing both filter cone and water fill port is created to improve ease of operation, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The eject drawer is designed to house both the filter cone and the telescopic water fill port within a single integrated assembly. This merging of components into one accessible drawer provides ease of operation by consolidating frequently used elements in one location, while the integrated design avoids the complexity of multiple separate access points.
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 solution enables improved coffee quality by ensuring consistent grind quality, efficient water management, and optimized brew time, enhancing user convenience and coffee maker performance.
Implementation Method 1
a coffee grinder (21) with a hopper (22) for coffee beans positioned above the grinder (21)
Implementation Method 2
an eject drawer (13) that opens under the assistance of a spring biasing mechanism
Implementation Method 3
a head assembly (12) with a coffee grinder (21)
Implementation Method 4
a carafe having a fill level indicator
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~5
AI summary
Disclosed in this specification is a drip filter coffee maker that includes features to improve the taste of the brewed coffee and to enhance to ease of use. In one embodiment, an integral plate burr grinder sends coffee ground down a coffee chute that feeds the filter cone. A chute door at the end of the coffee chute prevents vapours or condensation from entering the coffee chute. In another embodiment, the eject tray that carries the filter cone may be coupled with a dampened spring biasing mechanism which moderates the eject motion. Further, a pivot float may be provided within the carafe so that the user may read the carafe fill level easily.