Removable Infusion Cylinder Layout for Compact Coffee Machines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional coffee machines are bulky, complex, and costly to assemble, with difficult maintenance and performance limitations due to the structure of the infusion group, and require lengthy preheating times between cycles.
Innovation Solution
A coffee machine design featuring a modular infusion group with a removable infusion cylinder and carrier system, allowing easy access and maintenance, and utilizing thermal energy recovery for rapid preheating, ensuring consistent high-quality coffee production.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the infusion group has its own support frame mounted on the casing, then the structure is stable, but the machine becomes bulky and assembly becomes difficult and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the support frame function into the main machine casing by providing a mounting plate fixed to the casing that directly supports the infusion group. This eliminates the need for a separate support frame structure, reducing machine bulk while maintaining structural stability through the integrated mounting arrangement.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting plate serves multiple functions: it acts as a structural support element, a mounting surface for the infusion group, and an integral part of the machine casing. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed, simplifying assembly and reducing overall machine size.
2Volume of moving object
If the infusion group structure is compacted beyond a certain limit, then the machine becomes more compact, but the number of components increases and design constraints increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into fewer components. The mounting plate integrates support, mounting, and structural functions. The carrier assembly combines support, movement guidance, and positioning functions. This merging reduces the number of separate components while achieving compact machine design.
Solution Approach 2:
The infusion cylinder is positioned within the carrier assembly, which itself is mounted on the mounting plate integrated with the casing. This nested arrangement allows compact packaging of multiple components in a space-efficient manner without increasing overall component count.
3Ease of repair
If the infusion cylinder is made removable for cleaning and maintenance, then maintenance accessibility improves, but the structural complexity of the infusion group increases
Solution Approach 1:
The infusion group is segmented into removable components: the infusion cylinder can be detached from the carrier assembly, and the carrier can be removed from the mounting plate. This segmentation enables easy access for cleaning and maintenance while using simple detachment mechanisms that do not significantly increase structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The infusion cylinder is extracted as a separate removable component from the carrier assembly, allowing it to be easily removed for cleaning. The carrier assembly remains as a simplified support structure with engagement features that allow easy attachment and detachment without complex mechanisms.
4Loss of time
If long pauses occur between functioning cycles, then the machine can rest, but preheating time is required to attain optimal temperature
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a preheating system that heats the carrier and infusion cylinder before coffee infusion. This preliminary heating action ensures that the components are at optimal temperature when needed, eliminating delays caused by cold components and ensuring consistent performance regardless of rest periods between cycles.
Solution Approach 2:
The preheating system maintains thermal energy in the carrier and infusion cylinder, allowing the machine to quickly resume optimal operation after rest periods. This continuous thermal management ensures that the useful action of coffee infusion can proceed without interruption or delay for preheating.
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 design results in a compact, efficient, and reliable coffee machine that maintains performance even after long rest periods, with simplified maintenance and rapid preheating, ensuring consistent high-quality coffee production.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing thermal energy recovery for rapid preheating
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~8
AI summary
The coffee machine comprises an infusion group having a main body (16) formed by a shell delimiting a space (8) for the movement of an infusion cylinder (4) between a position of engagement with a closure piston (3) for the creation of an infusion chamber and a position of disengagement from the closure piston for the loading of a coffee powder load, the infusion cylinder being rigidly supported by a rotatable carrier (9), means for a removable reciprocal engagement between the infusion cylinder (4) and the carrieO) being provided for the extraction of said infusion cylinder (4) from a window (14) of the shell, outside said shell translation means being further provided for translation of the carrier (9).