Beverage Cartridge Coupling with Funnel-Guided Shaft Alignment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beverage preparation systems face difficulties in aligning exchangeable cartridges due to the resiliency and interference fit of sealing elements, which can damage the sealing members and complicate the positioning process, and require accurate dimensioning of drive ports, making assembly cumbersome and costly.
Innovation Solution
The system includes a loading channel with a protruding drive shaft and a funnel-shaped drive port to guide the alignment of the exchangeable supply pack's drive shaft and ingredient outlet port with the appliance's ingredient receiving connector, using lever means to facilitate coupling and reduce risk to flexible seals, along with a doser that can be reused, and sensors for proper positioning and ingredient availability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If resilient sealing elements with interference fit are used to provide fluid tight seal, then sealing reliability is improved, but positioning difficulty and risk of damage to sealing elements increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by providing a funnel-shaped guide structure at the drive port opening before the actual coupling occurs. This guide structure pre-aligns the cartridge with the drive shaft and ingredient receiving connector, ensuring that the resilient sealing elements engage properly without excessive force or misalignment during the positioning operation, thus preventing damage while maintaining sealing reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary element - the funnel-shaped guide structure formed by the tapered inner wall at the drive port opening. This intermediary structure mediates between the cartridge and the drive shaft/connector, facilitating smooth alignment and reduction of interference fit stresses on the sealing elements during coupling
2Measurement precision
If accurate dimensioning and positioning of drive port is required for aligning drive shaft, then alignment precision is improved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by incorporating a funnel-shaped guide structure at the drive port opening that performs the alignment function before the actual coupling. This pre-alignment mechanism tolerates broader manufacturing variations in the drive port positioning while still achieving precise alignment of the drive shaft with the cartridge, thereby reducing manufacturing precision requirements and simplifying production
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs curvature by designing the drive port opening with a tapered inner wall that defines a funnel shape. This curved, converging geometry naturally guides the cartridge into correct alignment with the drive shaft and ingredient receiving connector, achieving precise alignment through geometric guidance rather than relying on extremely precise positioning of the drive port itself, thus simplifying manufacturing
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
A system (1) for preparing beverage consumptions, comprising an appliance (3) arranged for preparing and dispensing a beverage consumption; and at least one exchangeable supply pack (13) arranged for holding and supplying a beverage related ingredient. The appliance (3) includes a loading channel (33) arranged for receiving the at least one exchangeable supply pack (13). The at least one exchangeable supply pack (13) is provided with a container (15) for holding a beverage related ingredient, a drive port (25) for receiving a driving torque and an ingredient outlet port (27). The loading channel (33) of the appliance (3) has a protruding drive shaft (39; 39A; 39B) for transmitting torque from the appliance (3) to the at least one exchangeable supply pack (13), and an ingredient receiving connector (41; 41A; 41B) for conveying the beverage related ingredient from the at least one exchangeable supply pack (13) to the appliance (3). The appliance (3) includes means (37; 37A; 37B) arranged for guided coupling the drive port (25) and ingredient outlet port (27) of the at least one supply pack (13) simultaneously to the drive shaft (39; 39A; 39B) and the ingredient receiving connector (41; 41A; 41B) of the appliance (3). The drive port (25) includes an opening with a concave tapered inner wall defining a funnel shape and adapted to cooperate with the protruding drive shaft (39; 39A; 39B) to assist in aligning the ingredient outlet port (27) with respect to the ingredient receiving connector (41; 41A; 41B) during coupling of the at least one supply pack (13) to the appliance (3).