Elastomer Drip Tray for Beverage Machine Noise and Scratch Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing coffee capsule machines often produce loud noises and are prone to scratches due to metal or plastic drip trays, which affects their durability and appearance.
Innovation Solution
A beverage preparation machine with a storage element made at least partially of an elastomer, specifically designed to reduce noise and prevent scratches, while maintaining stability through a supporting frame made of non-elastic materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a metal or plastic drip tray is used, then the structural stability is good, but loud noises occur when placing the container and scratches easily
Solution Approach 1:
The support element is constructed as a composite structure combining a rigid frame (metal or plastic) for structural stability and an elastomer coating layer for noise reduction and scratch prevention. This composite design resolves the contradiction by integrating materials with complementary properties.
Solution Approach 2:
An elastomer layer is applied as a flexible coating on the rigid support element frame. This elastomer film absorbs impact energy when containers are placed, significantly reducing noise while the underlying rigid frame maintains structural stability.
2Reliability
If a metal or plastic drip tray is used, then the structural stability is good, but scratches occur easily impairing appearance and durability
Solution Approach 1:
The elastomer coating acts as a protective flexible film on the support element surface. This layer is highly resistant to scratches from container placement while the rigid frame beneath maintains structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The combination of rigid frame material and elastomer coating creates a composite structure where the elastomer layer provides scratch resistance while the frame provides structural stability, resolving the contradiction between durability and scratch resistance.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If the storage element is made entirely of elastomer, then noise is reduced and scratch resistance is improved, but stability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The support element uses a composite structure with a rigid frame providing structural stability and an elastomer coating providing noise reduction. This resolves the contradiction by assigning different functions to different material layers.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastomer material is applied locally as a coating on the frame rather than using elastomer throughout. This localized application provides noise reduction where needed while the rigid frame maintains overall structural stability.
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 elastomer storage element significantly reduces noise and prevents scratches, enhancing the durability and quiet operation of the beverage preparation machine.
Implementation Method 1
The storage element is made at least partially of an elastomer... producing much less noise when the container is placed on it than with a conventional draining rack made of metal or plastic
Implementation Method 2
shelf elements made of an elastomer are scratch-resistant
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The invention relates to a beverage preparation machine (1) which comprises an outlet (14) for dispensing a prepared beverage, a receiving area (15) for receiving a vessel in which the prepared beverage is to be received, and a setting-down element (21) that delimits the receiving area (14) into the side opposite the outlet (14) and on which the vessel can be placed during the preparation of the beverage. The setting-down element (21) is at least partially made from an elastomer.