Coffee Machine Drip Tray Raised Supports for Grille Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing coffee machines with drip trays face issues of grille damage from constant object handling, difficulty in cleaning due to recessed joints, and aesthetic deterioration.
Innovation Solution
A coffee machine drip tray design featuring a grille with vertical protrusions that elevate the resting surface, supported by a separate and easily removable sole support, allowing for improved protection, cleaning accessibility, and maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If the grille is made as a separate aesthetic component, then the appearance quality is improved, but the grille becomes susceptible to damage from impacts and sliding of cups and accessories
Solution Approach 1:
The drip tray is divided into separate functional components: a protective base layer (tray body) and an aesthetic covering layer (grille). The grille is made removable and separable from the functional base, allowing the aesthetic component to be protected while maintaining its visual function. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by isolating the fragile aesthetic element from direct contact with heavy objects.
Solution Approach 2:
A protective covering or mat is introduced as an intermediary layer between the grille and objects placed on it. This intermediate element absorbs impacts and prevents direct contact between cups/accessories and the delicate grille surface, thereby protecting the aesthetic appearance while allowing the grille to maintain its visual function.
2Productivity
If the grille is integrated with separate pieces for drainage, then the drainage function is improved, but the joining areas create recesses that are difficult to clean
Solution Approach 1:
The drainage openings are extracted and integrated directly into the grille structure itself, rather than being formed by separate joining pieces. The grille is designed with through-openings that allow liquid passage while eliminating recessed joints where dirt could accumulate. This extraction of the drainage function into the grille's own structure resolves the cleaning accessibility problem.
Solution Approach 2:
The grille and drainage function are merged into a single integrated component. The grille itself forms the drainage structure with built-in openings, eliminating the need for separate drainage pieces and their associated joining areas. This merging creates a smooth, continuous surface that is easy to clean while maintaining effective drainage functionality.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the grille serves as both a resting surface and a drainage structure, then the functional versatility is improved, but the grille surface is exposed to constant damage risk
Solution Approach 1:
The functional roles are segmented between two components: the tray body provides structural support and protection, while the grille provides aesthetic covering and drainage. By separating the load-bearing function from the aesthetic/drainage function, the delicate grille is protected from direct impacts while maintaining its versatility for drainage and visual purposes.
Solution Approach 2:
A protective mat or covering is placed as an intermediary between objects and the grille, allowing the grille to maintain its aesthetic and drainage functions while being protected from damage. This intermediate layer enables the grille to serve multiple functions without direct exposure to damaging forces.
Data Source
AI summary
The coffee machine comprises a drip tray (1), in turn comprising a container (2) and a covering grille (3) for covering the container (2), the grille (3) being provided with a plurality of openings (12) for the passage of the liquids to the container (2), the tray (1) further comprising a plurality of vertical protrusions (13) passing through the openings (12) and defining with the upper ends thereof a resting surface that is raised with respect to the outer surface (15) of the grille (3).