Tea Machine Water Receptacle Illumination for Distant Mode Indication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tea preparing machines lack effective means to indicate their operational mode from a distance, limiting user intervention and mechanization due to concerns over flavor quality, which is often associated with personal skill.
Innovation Solution
A tea machine with a boiling water receptacle that is illuminated in its entirety using a refractive medium to refract and focus light rays from a light source, allowing visible indication from distant locations, with the illuminated fluid itself producing a light source effect.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a light source is used to indicate operational mode, then visibility is improved, but the illumination is not sufficient to be seen from distant locations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the light indication from a point-source effect to a volumetric effect by illuminating the entire water receptacle. The water itself becomes the indicator, converting a 2D surface indication problem into a 3D volumetric display, enabling visibility from distant locations throughout the room.
Solution Approach 2:
The water in the receptacle serves as an intermediary medium that carries and distributes the light indication throughout its volume. Instead of the light source directly indicating the operational mode, the water acts as a mediator that refracts and distributes light rays, making the indication visible from all directions and distances.
2Device complexity
If direct light transmission into liquid is used, then simplicity is maintained, but the visual indication effect is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the optical parameters of the water by controlling its temperature and composition to optimize light refraction and scattering properties. The heated water during brewing exhibits enhanced optical properties that amplify the visual indication effect without requiring additional complex illumination components.
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
Enhances user visibility of the tea machine's operational mode, enabling quicker and more intuitive user intervention during boiling and brewing processes, improving the usability and mechanization of tea preparation.
Implementation Method 1
a large number of light rays refracted in different directions within water
Implementation Method 2
said medium is designed to focus light rays from said light source onto the water receptacle
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention proposes a tea machine having an indication means in the form of visible light so as to illuminate boiling water receptacle (12). Boiling receptacle (12) comprising water is illuminated in its entirety to the extent to be visible from distant locations due to a great many light rays refracted in different directions within water. The water receptacle (12) is equipped with a special medium (15) in the manner to refract light rays from the light source (18) in a plurality of direction, resulting in a unique visual indication. Further, said medium (15) is designed to focus light rays from said light source (18) so as to refract them mainly within the water receptacle (12).