Tea machine and method for the operation thereof
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tea machines for automatic tea preparation are cumbersome, difficult to manage, and prone to contamination, with complex handling and cleaning processes that often require partial disassembly and can impair the taste of tea.
Innovation Solution
A tea machine with a tea strainer insert that can be fully immersed in the brewing chamber, featuring a guide section and a scraping device to facilitate easy insertion and removal of tea leaves, and a spray head with adjustable outlet nozzles for effective cleaning, minimizing contamination and simplifying the brewing and cleaning processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a tea machine uses a perforated base to support the cup during brewing, then the brewing process is simplified, but the perforated base becomes difficult to keep clean and contaminates the cup bottom
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the cup support function from the brewing chamber floor by introducing a separate, removable cup support element. This element can be easily removed and cleaned separately, preventing contamination of the cup bottom while maintaining the simplified brewing process. The support element is taken out as a distinct component that does not interfere with the brewing chamber's cleanliness.
Solution Approach 2:
The brewing chamber is segmented into functional zones: the brewing chamber floor remains clean and dedicated to brewing, while the cup support function is provided by a separate, removable element. This segmentation allows the support element to be cleaned independently without affecting the brewing chamber's hygiene, thus eliminating contamination risks.
2Ease of operation
If tea machines have two chambers for brewing and separating tea leaves, then tea leaf removal is simplified, but the machine becomes very bulky
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the brewing chamber and tea leaf separation functions into a single integrated chamber. The cup support element serves dual purposes: supporting the cup during brewing and facilitating tea leaf removal after brewing. This eliminates the need for a separate second chamber, reducing machine size while maintaining ease of tea leaf removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The cup support element is designed with multi-functionality: it supports the cup during the brewing process, enables easy tea leaf removal after brewing, and can be cleaned separately. This single element performs multiple functions that would otherwise require separate chambers, thus reducing the overall machine volume.
3Reliability
If tea machines require partial disassembly for cleaning, then thorough cleaning is achieved, but the handling becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The cup support element is extracted as a removable component that can be easily taken out for cleaning. This allows thorough cleaning of all surfaces that contact tea or water without requiring disassembly of the main machine structure. The support element can be cleaned separately in the dishwasher or by hand, simplifying the cleaning process while maintaining thoroughness.
Solution Approach 2:
The cup support element is designed to be preliminarily positioned in a way that facilitates easy removal and cleaning. Its structure allows it to be easily detached before cleaning is needed, and it can be placed in the dishwasher or cleaned by hand without requiring complex disassembly procedures.
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 tea machine allows for simple and controlled brewing of tea with reduced contamination risks, enabling easy removal of tea leaves and thorough cleaning without disassembly, ensuring a clean and hygienic operation.
Implementation Method 1
an interior which is at least water-permeable towards the underside of the tea strainer insert
Implementation Method 2
a guide section which is designed to guide the tea strainer insert along the inner wall of a brewing chamber
Data Source
Figure 1a
Figure 1b
Figure 2~3
AI summary
The invention relates to a tea machine (100) designed for the automatic preparation of tea beverages, comprising a brewing chamber (124) that is open upwards, a hot water supply line that is designed to supply hot water into the brewing chamber (124) from above, and an outlet (130) provided on the brewing chamber via which a fluid can be discharged from the brewing chamber, wherein the outlet (130) is designed to be operated optionally in a dispensing position or in a disposal position, wherein the fluid discharged from the brewing chamber (124) via the outlet is directed to a tea beverage dispensing point (122) in the dispensing position and to a drain (158) in the disposal position. The invention also relates to a method for operating a tea machine (100).