Water tank lid
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing water containers for coffee machines do not effectively protect the water inlet from contamination and are not convenient for refilling without opening the lid, which can lead to hygiene issues and complexity in use.
Innovation Solution
A water container design where the handle, in its first position, aligns with the lid to cover the water inlet and prevent contamination, allowing for easy refilling without opening the lid, and in its second position, serves as a carrying handle, enabling access to the inlet for pouring water while protecting the contents from spillage and allowing for maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the water inlet is left open for easy refilling, then refilling convenience is improved, but the water inlet becomes vulnerable to contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The handle acts as an intermediary element that performs dual functions: it covers the water inlet when in the first position to prevent contamination, and can be moved to the second position to allow refilling. This intermediary component resolves the contradiction by providing a mechanical mediator between the need for protection and the need for access.
Solution Approach 2:
The handle is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a carrying handle and as a protective cover for the water inlet. By integrating these two functions into a single component, the design eliminates the need for separate covering mechanisms while maintaining both protection and refilling capabilities.
2Ease of operation
If the lid is opened for refilling, then access to water inlet is improved, but hygiene is compromised and complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The handle serves as an intermediary that provides access to the water inlet without requiring the lid to be opened. When moved to the second position, it allows refilling while the lid remains closed, thus maintaining hygiene while improving ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The refilling function is segmented from the lid opening action. Instead of requiring the lid to be opened, the handle can be independently moved to create an opening for refilling, separating the access function from the protective cover function.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a separate cover is added for the water inlet, then protection is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The handle is designed to perform multiple functions: it serves as a carrying handle, a protective cover for the water inlet, and a mechanism to enable refilling. By making the handle universal, the design avoids adding separate components, thus improving protection without increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective cover function is merged with the handle. Instead of having a separate cover component, the handle itself is designed to cover the water inlet when in the first position, combining two functions into one element and simplifying the overall structure.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A water container (11) for a coffee machine (10) comprising a lid (13) with a deepen area (14) for covering the water container (11), a water inlet (18) and a handle (15) pivotally mounted on the lid (13) which in a first position covers the water inlet (18) and in a second position serves to carry the water container (11) wherein the water inlet (18) is covered by the handle (15) in a first position in which the handle (15) is aligned with the lid (13), rests on the lid (13) and blocks said lid (13) on the water container (11). The present invention provides a water container of a coffee machine which can be filled with water in easy, hygienic and convenient way by the user.