Electric brewing machine comprising an infusion accessory equipped with a gripping member

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electric brewing machines face challenges in balancing ergonomic design, safety, and contamination prevention, particularly with infusion accessories that have gripping parts located under the lid, which can lead to burning risks and water spillage.

Innovation Solution

The electric brewing machine features a gripping member located outside the container, a sealing device with offset annular seals, and a steam evacuation system to prevent water and steam spillage, ensuring safety and efficient operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If the gripping part is arranged entirely under the lid in the internal volume, then contamination of water is limited and burning risk is reduced, but the height of the container must be increased or the gripping part size reduced, affecting ergonomics

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveburning risk and water contaminationVSAvoidergonomics of gripping part
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The gripping member is divided into two functional parts: a gripping portion for user manipulation and a connecting portion that extends into the internal volume. This segmentation allows the gripping portion to remain outside the water (reducing burning risk) while the connecting portion provides structural connection, resolving the contradiction between safety and ergonomics

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The gripping member extends in a vertical dimension from the infusion accessory body through the lid to the external environment. This vertical arrangement allows the gripping portion to be accessible from above while maintaining connection to the infusion accessory, eliminating the need to increase container height while preserving ergonomic access

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the gripping part is kept outside the water to prevent burning and contamination, then safety is improved, but the structure becomes more complex requiring a lid that partially covers the infusion accessory

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveburning risk and water contaminationVSAvoidlid and gripping member structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The lid serves multiple functions: it closes the container opening, partially covers the infusion accessory for aesthetic and protective purposes, and provides a mounting surface for the gripping member. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, mitigating the complexity increase

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The gripping member is integrated with the lid structure, where the connecting portion of the gripping member extends through or alongside the lid. This merging of functions allows the lid to both cover the container and support the gripping mechanism, reducing overall structural complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of operation

If the gripping member extends between the lid and container, then the gripping part can be accessed from outside, but water spillage risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccessibility of gripping partVSAvoidwater spillage
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The connecting portion of the gripping member acts as an intermediary element that extends through the lid structure. This intermediary design allows the gripping portion to be externally accessible while the connection to the infusion accessory is maintained through the sealed lid, preventing direct water exposure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The gripping portion is extracted from the internal water volume and positioned externally through the lid. This extraction removes the user's hand and gripping surface from the hazardous water environment while maintaining functional connection through the lid barrier

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP4623764A1Electric brewing machine comprising an infusion accessory equipped with a gripping member
Publication Date: 2025.10.01 SEB SA
  • EP4623764A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4623764A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4623764A1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The electric brewing machine comprises a container (4) delimiting an internal volume (5); an infusion accessory (39) comprising a main body (41) arranged in the internal volume (5) and a gripping member (49) fixed to the main body (41); and a cover (11) configured to close the container (4) and cover the infusion accessory (39). The gripping member (49) comprises a gripping portion (51) configured to be located outside the electric brewing machine (2), and a connecting portion (52) mechanically connecting the gripping portion (51) to the main body (41) and configured to extend between the cover (11) and the container (4). The electric brewing machine (2) comprises a sealing device (55) configured to cooperate in a sealed manner with the container (4) and the gripping member (49).