Dual-Chamber Coffee Bean Hopper With Vertical Selector Closures
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing coffee bean containers in fully automatic espresso machines with integrated grinders face issues in compact design and ease of use when selecting between two types of coffee beans, often requiring two-handed operation and risking jamming or trapping of beans due to complex mechanisms and protruding parts.
Innovation Solution
A coffee bean container design featuring vertically displaceable closure elements that can be adjusted to open or close laterally opposite the grinder outlet, allowing for easy selection of coffee types with minimal space usage and reduced risk of jamming, utilizing a gear wheel and toothed racks for manual or automatic adjustment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a rotatable coffee bean hopper with closure element is used to allow compartment selection, then coffee type selection is enabled, but the operation requires two hands and creates a hindrance to ease of use
Solution Approach 1:
The coffee bean container is divided into two separate compartments with individual closure elements, allowing independent control of each compartment. This segmentation enables selection of different coffee types without requiring complex rotation mechanisms, as each compartment can be independently opened or closed.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of rotating the entire hopper to select compartments, the invention inverts the approach by keeping the hopper stationary and using vertically displaceable closure elements to select which compartment is active. This inversion simplifies the operation from a complex rotational movement to a simple vertical displacement action.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If walls are formed on the partition wall to prevent accidental reaching, then safety is improved, but coffee beans can be trapped between the flap and walls causing reliability issues
Solution Approach 1:
The problematic curved walls and excavator shovel-like structures are completely removed from the design. Instead, the invention uses simple vertical walls on the partition that guide beans downward without creating trapping zones. The closure elements are designed to open fully without intermediate positions that could trap beans.
Solution Approach 2:
Rather than using curved surfaces that guide beans around obstacles, the invention uses straight vertical surfaces that guide beans directly downward. This inverted approach to guidance eliminates the creation of trapping zones while maintaining effective bean flow control.
3Adaptability or versatility
If horizontally displaceable sliders with angle levers and pulling magnets are used, then compartment selection is enabled, but the mechanism takes up large horizontal space reducing compactness
Solution Approach 1:
The selection mechanism is moved from the horizontal plane to the vertical dimension. Instead of sliders moving horizontally across the compartment opening, closure elements move vertically to open or close the opening. This dimensional change dramatically reduces the horizontal space required for the selection mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The complex mechanical system of sliders, angle levers, and pulling magnets is replaced with a simpler vertical displacement mechanism. The closure elements are directly connected to the selection mechanism through vertical movement, eliminating the need for intermediate mechanical components that occupy horizontal space.
4Reliability
If closure elements are positioned to close compartments effectively, then sealing is improved, but coffee beans can lie on top of closure elements creating jamming risks
Solution Approach 1:
The closure elements are designed with specific local characteristics: they extend vertically to provide effective sealing when closed, but have a streamlined shape that allows beans to flow smoothly over them when open. The local geometry of the closure element surface is optimized to prevent bean accumulation while maintaining sealing effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The closure elements are designed to be dynamically positioned - fully closed for sealing and fully open for flow - without intermediate positions where beans could be trapped. The vertical displacement mechanism ensures the closure elements are either completely blocking the opening or completely clear of the bean flow path.
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
Enables easy, one-handed selection of coffee types without clamping effects, reduces bean trapping risks, and maintains a compact design by optimizing space usage and minimizing contact with the dispensing opening, ensuring smooth coffee flow and reduced operational complexity.
Implementation Method 1
A coffee bean container design featuring vertically displaceable closure elements that can be adjusted to open or close laterally opposite the grinder outlet, allowing for easy selection of coffee types with minimal space usage and reduced risk of jamming, utilizing a gear wheel and toothed racks for manual or automatic adjustment.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
The coffee bean container (1) has two separated bean chamber and an distribution opening arranged in its base, which is closed or opened to one of the bean chamber by a closing element. A vertical sliding adjustable closing element is arranged in each of two bean chambers, which is suitable for closing or releasing each of distribution openings after vertically adjusting. The bean chamber laterally against the distribution opening, and that an adjusting units (30) are formed and are connected with closing elements such that they are vertically adjusted in counter-rotating manner.