Pivotable Pot Coffee Machine for Improved Distribution and Emptying
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing coffee machines restrict pot shape and distribution characteristics, making it difficult to prepare Lebanese-type, Greek-type, or Turkish-type coffee with optimal distribution and handling.
Innovation Solution
A coffee machine with a pivotable pot and valve mechanism that adjusts between coffee preparation and distribution positions, allowing the outlet opening to be positioned at a lower vertical level for improved liquid pressure and distribution, featuring a pivot device and operating mechanism for automatic control of the valve and closure element.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the pot is fixed in a single position, then the structure is simple, but the distribution characteristics and handling are poor
Solution Approach 1:
The pot is made pivotable relative to the machine frame about a horizontal pivot axis, allowing it to move between a coffee preparation position and a coffee distribution position. This dynamic positioning enables the outlet opening to be at a lower vertical level during distribution, improving liquid pressure and distribution characteristics without requiring a completely complex redesign
2Ease of operation
If the outlet opening is always at the lowest position, then distribution is improved, but the pot cannot be properly heated during preparation
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses dynamic positioning where the pot can be in a first position (outlet at lower level) for distribution and a second position (outlet at higher level) for preparation and heating. This resolves the contradiction by allowing the outlet position to change based on the operational phase
3Ease of operation
If automatic valve operation is added, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The operating mechanism combines multiple functions: it operates the valve mechanism to move the closure element relative to the pot, and simultaneously operates the pivot device to pivot the pot between positions. This merging of functions achieves automatic operation while minimizing additional complexity
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
Ensures reliable coffee distribution, easy handling, and full pot emptying with improved heat distribution and reduced complexity, preventing over-boiling, while allowing for various pot shapes and automatic operation.
Implementation Method 1
the pot is mounted to the machine frame in a manner so as to be pivotable relative to the machine frame about a horizontal pivot axis between a coffee preparation position and a coffee distribution position, in which the outlet opening is positioned at a lower vertical level than in the coffee preparation position
Data Source
AI summary
Coffee machine (10) comprising a machine frame (12), a pot (14) which has a bottom wall (16), a circumferential side wall (18), an inlet opening (20) provided in an upper portion of the pot (14), and an outlet opening (22) provided in a lower and outer portion of the pot (14), wherein the pot (14) is mounted to the machine frame (12) in a manner so as to be pivotable relative to the machine frame (12) about a horizontal pivot axis (24) between a coffee preparation position and a coffee distribution position, in which the outlet opening (22) is positioned at a lower vertical level than in the coffee preparation position, a valve mechanism (26) including a closure element (28), wherein the closure element (28) and the pot (14) are movable relative to each other between a closed position, in which the closure element (28) closes the outlet opening (22).