Brewing Module Cam Disc Transmission for Uniform Closure Force
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing brewing modules with manual closure mechanisms for extraction appliances, such as coffee machines, face challenges in providing a consistent and haptically pleasing experience due to variable force requirements, leading to an unpleasant jolting sensation and mechanical resistance issues.
Innovation Solution
A brewing module with a cam disc-based transmission mechanism that features variable transmission ratios along a guide surface, allowing for a smoother closure and opening movement, and a damping device with non-constant damping characteristics to enhance user feedback and mechanical resistance uniformity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a manual closure mechanism with constant transmission ratio is used, then the structure is simple, but the mechanical resistance is not uniform and causes jolting sensations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by implementing a variable transmission ratio in the closure mechanism. The transmission ratio changes dynamically during the closure process to compensate for varying mechanical resistance, ensuring uniform operation characteristics throughout the brewing cycle. This allows the system to adapt to different force requirements at different stages of capsule closure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the transmission ratio parameter from constant to variable along the guide surface. By modifying this key parameter, the system achieves uniform mechanical resistance and eliminates jolting sensations during manual closure, while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure without requiring complex additional components.
2Ease of operation
If the transmission ratio is increased to provide higher mechanical resistance, then haptic feedback is improved, but the ease of actuation is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The variable transmission ratio allows the system to dynamically adjust the force multiplication effect. During phases requiring higher mechanical resistance for good haptic feedback, the transmission ratio increases accordingly. During phases requiring easier actuation, the ratio decreases, reducing the required actuation force. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between haptic quality and ease of actuation.
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 solution provides a functionally and haptically satisfactory closure behavior with reduced mechanical complexity, ensuring a consistent user experience by compensating for varying closure forces and minimizing jolting sensations during the brewing process.
Implementation Method 1
a cam disc (30), which is rotatably mounted on the housing (2), with a first guide surface (34), by way of which the second brewing module part (4), by way of the first guide surface (34), is displaceable along a displacement stretch (22) that is fixed with respect to the housing (2)
Implementation Method 2
a damping device with non-constant damping characteristics to enhance user feedback and mechanical resistance uniformity
Data Source
AI summary
A brewing module for preparing a brewed drink from a portion capsule, includes a first brewing module part and a second brewing module part, which is movable relative to a housing between a first brewing module part position and a second brewing module part position. An operating element is able to be brought manually from a first into a second operating element position, from which a movement is transmitted via a transmission mechanism into a movement of the second brewing module part. The transmission mechanism includes a cam disc that is rotatably mounted on the housing by the operating element wherein the second brewing module part is displaceable along a displacement stretch, which is fixed with respect to the housing, from a first brewing module part position into the second brewing module part position by way of the cam disc being rotated by the operating element.