Jug Steam Duct Connection to Prevent Unsafe Steam Release

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Solution Overview

Problem

Household coffee-making machines with advanced milk frothing capabilities are costly due to the need for sensors to ensure safe steam dispensing, which increase the complexity and price of the machines.

Innovation Solution

A beverage producing system with a steam nozzle housed in a recess and a steam duct on the jug, allowing for intuitive and safe connection without sensors, where the steam nozzle is oriented towards the ceiling to prevent steam escape if the jug is not properly connected, and a mechanical or guide arrangement for secure alignment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If sensors are added to detect proper jug positioning, then safety is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesafetyVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses the jug itself to activate steam delivery through its positioning, eliminating the need for external sensors. The jug's presence and proper positioning automatically enable steam delivery without requiring detection by separate sensing components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

A mechanical intermediary mechanism (such as a lever or cam) is used to translate the jug's positioning into a signal that enables steam delivery. This mechanical mediator replaces electronic sensors while maintaining the safety function through pure mechanical means.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If sensors and control units are added for safety, then reliability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesafetyVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The jug positioning mechanism itself serves as the activation trigger, eliminating the need for expensive sensor assemblies and control unit programming. This self-activating mechanism significantly reduces component count and manufacturing complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces expensive electronic sensing components with simple, inexpensive mechanical elements that can be manufactured at low cost, such as mechanical levers, cams, or positioning features integrated into the jug and machine housing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Ease of operation

If the steam nozzle projects outside the recess, then ease of connection is improved, but safety deteriorates due to potential steam ejection

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of connectionVSAvoidsteam ejection hazard

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The steam nozzle is positioned to project steam away from the user and into a controlled path before connection is made. The nozzle orientation and recess design pre-prevent harmful steam ejection by directing steam into the jug or away from the user area during the connection process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The potential hazard of steam ejection is converted into a beneficial feature by designing the nozzle to direct steam into the jug during connection, ensuring proper seating of the jug while using the steam flow itself to confirm correct positioning rather than posing a safety risk.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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

Reduces the number of electronic components and costs by eliminating the need for sensors, ensuring safe operation and easy jug connection while preventing hazardous steam release, thus providing a simpler and safer machine.

Implementation Method 1

The hot and pressurized steam delivered by the coffee producing machine through the steam nozzle is processed in a Venturi tube of the emulsifier to suck milk from the jug and heat the milk

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVenturi effect: Venturi Effect

Implementation Method 2

The hot and pressurized steam delivered by the coffee producing machine through the steam nozzle is processed in a Venturi tube of the emulsifier to suck milk from the jug and heat the milk

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSteam heating: Heating

Data Source

PatentEP3016556B1A beverage producing machine with a jug

Publication Date: 2017.02.15 KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS NV

AI summary

The beverage producing system comprises a beverage producing machine (1) and a jug (3). The beverage producing machine (1) is provided with a steam nozzle (41)and the jug (3) is provided with a steam duct (25) having a steam inlet end (25A) designed and arranged for connection to the steam nozzle (41). The steam nozzle (41) is housed in a recess (11) having an entry aperture (35), a bottom wall (39) and an upper ceiling (38). The steam nozzle (41) is arranged at the bottom wall (39) of the recess (11) and is oriented towards the upper ceiling (45). The steam inlet end (25A) of the steam duct (25) projects from the jug (3), such that a connection between the steam nozzle (41) and the steam duct (25) is established by introducing the steam inlet end (25A) in the recess (11) and by lowering the jug (3) until a fluid connection is established between the steam nozzle (41) and the steam inlet end (25A) of the steam duct (25).