Beverage System Cartridge Alignment Using Funnel-Shaped Drive Port
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beverage preparation systems face difficulties in positioning exchangeable cartridges due to the resiliency and interference fit of sealing elements, which can compromise the seal integrity and make assembly cumbersome.
Innovation Solution
The system includes a loading channel with a protruding drive shaft and a funnel-shaped drive port to align and guide the exchangeable supply pack's drive port and ingredient outlet port with the appliance's receiving connector, reducing the risk of damage to flexible seals and simplifying the coupling process, while also incorporating a doser with a flexible drive shaft to accommodate misalignments and a sensor for proper positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a resilient sealing element with interference fit is used to provide fluid tight seal, then sealing reliability is improved, but positioning difficulty and risk of seal damage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by providing alignment features (alignment pins, alignment grooves, or tapered alignment surfaces) that pre-align the cartridge with the appliance before the sealing elements engage. This ensures proper positioning is achieved before the resilient sealing elements are compressed, preventing misalignment damage while maintaining sealing reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediary alignment features that mediate between the cartridge and appliance components. These alignment pins, grooves, or tapered surfaces act as intermediaries that guide the positioning process, allowing the resilient sealing elements to engage without the positioning difficulties that would otherwise occur with direct interference fit engagement.
2Reliability
If a resilient sealing element with interference fit is used to provide fluid tight seal, then sealing reliability is improved, but risk of seal damage during positioning increases
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment features (pins, grooves, or tapered surfaces) perform preliminary alignment before the resilient sealing elements engage. This preliminary action prevents misalignment that would cause damage to the sealing elements during the positioning process, while still allowing the interference fit to provide reliable sealing once properly aligned.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent provides beforehand cushioning by designing alignment features that guide and cushion the positioning process. The alignment pins and grooves, or tapered surfaces, cushion the engagement process by distributing forces and preventing direct impact or misalignment forces from reaching the resilient sealing elements, thereby reducing damage risk before sealing engagement.
3Reliability
If resilient sealing elements are used for fluid tight seal, then sealing reliability is improved, but assembly complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment features perform preliminary positioning actions that simplify the overall assembly process. By pre-aligning the cartridge with the appliance using pins, grooves, or tapered surfaces, the complex task of achieving proper alignment with resilient sealing elements is broken into simpler steps, reducing overall assembly complexity while maintaining sealing reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The alignment features act as intermediaries that simplify the assembly process. These features mediate the complex interaction between the cartridge and appliance by providing straightforward mechanical guidance, reducing the complexity of positioning and assembly operations while allowing the resilient sealing elements to perform their sealing function reliably.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for preparing beverage consumptions comprising an appliance to prepare and dispense a beverage and at least one exchangeable supply pack. The appliance includes a loading channel to receive the exchangeable supply pack. The exchangeable supply pack has a container to hold a beverage related ingredient, a drive port to receive a driving torque and an ingredient outlet port. The loading channel has a protruding drive shaft for transmitting torque from the appliance to the supply pack, and an ingredient receiving connector for conveying the ingredient from the supply pack to the appliance. The drive port and outlet port of the supply pack are coupled to the drive shaft and the receiving connector. The drive port includes an opening with a concave tapered inner wall defining a funnel shape and cooperates with the protruding drive shaft to assist in aligning the outlet port with respect to the receiving connector.