Elastic Cap Valve for Coffee Maker to Reduce Complexity and Cost
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing coffee makers have complex and costly structures due to solenoid valves, leading to high costs and maintenance difficulties, along with potential safety risks from boiler pressure communication with the atmosphere.
Innovation Solution
A valve with a simple structure and low cost, utilizing an elastic cap and a pneumatic or hydraulic driving device to separate or communicate ports, integrated into a coffee maker design that includes a boiler, brewing chamber, and sensors for temperature and liquid level control, allowing for efficient operation and maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a solenoid valve is used to realize direction conversion in the coffee maker pipeline, then the valve function is achieved, but the structure becomes complicated and the cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential function of the solenoid valve (direction conversion) and implements it using a simple elastic cap that can be pushed by a small driving component. The complex solenoid coil and magnetic assembly are removed, keeping only the necessary sealing and directional control functions through the elastic cap deformation mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the expensive solenoid valve with a simple elastic cap made from inexpensive materials. The elastic cap can be easily replaced if needed, and the overall valve assembly becomes a low-cost component that simplifies the coffee maker's bill of materials and manufacturing cost.
2Ease of operation
If a solenoid valve is used for direction conversion, then the valve operation is controlled, but the manufacturing cost and maintenance cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the expensive solenoid valve with a simple elastic cap made from inexpensive materials. The elastic cap can be easily replaced if needed, and the overall valve assembly becomes a low-cost component that simplifies the coffee maker's bill of materials and manufacturing cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic cap valve operates automatically based on pressure differential and mechanical linkage from the brewing chamber, eliminating the need for complex electronic control circuits. The system uses the existing pressure changes during brewing to actuate the valve, reducing both manufacturing and maintenance costs.
3Reliability
If a solenoid valve is used to communicate boiler pressure with atmosphere, then the pressure control is achieved, but the structure becomes complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the pressure communication function from the solenoid valve system and implements it through a simple elastic cap that responds to pressure differential. The elastic cap deforms under pressure to open or close the communication path, eliminating the need for complex solenoid mechanisms while maintaining reliable pressure control.
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 results in a coffee maker with a simplified structure, reduced costs, high stability, and ease of production, operation, and maintenance, while addressing safety concerns by controlling boiler pressure effectively.
Implementation Method 1
a driving device configured to drive the elastic cap to perform elastic deformation so as to separate the inlet from the outlet
Implementation Method 2
the driving device is a pneumatic driving device or a hydraulic driving device
Data Source
AI summary
A valve (100) comprises: a housing (110), an elastic cap (120) and a driving device (13); at least one group of ports (111) is provided in the housing, and each group of ports comprises an inlet (111a) and an outlet (111b); at least a portion of the elastic cap is provided in the housing; and the driving device is used to drive the elastic cap to undergo an elastic deformation so as to obstruct the inlet and the outlet.