Machine for the preparation of liquid products via capsules
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beverage preparation machines with capsule delivery assemblies face issues due to large metal torsion springs used for fluid-tightness, which can contaminate the fluid and cause significant water stagnation, complicating production and increasing encumbrance.
Innovation Solution
A compact bending spring, made of metal and extending transversely to the sliding direction, is used outside the chamber between the injector body and lid, eliminating direct contact with the fluid and reducing chamber volume.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a large diameter metal torsion spring is used inside the chamber to guarantee fluid-tightness, then the pre-loading force is sufficient, but the spring may release contaminating substances into the fluid and causes significant water stagnation
Solution Approach 1:
The spring is extracted from the chamber that comes into contact with the fluid. The patent places the spring outside the chamber, eliminating direct contact between the spring and the fluid, thus preventing contamination while maintaining the necessary pre-loading force for fluid-tightness.
2Reliability
If a large diameter metal torsion spring is used inside the chamber, then the pre-loading force is sufficient, but the chamber volume must be relatively large causing significant stagnation of water
Solution Approach 1:
The spring is relocated outside the chamber, allowing the chamber to be minimized to the essential volume needed for fluid delivery. This extraction eliminates the need for excessive chamber volume that would cause water stagnation.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring is positioned in a different spatial dimension (outside the chamber) rather than inside it, allowing the chamber volume to be reduced without compromising the spring's ability to provide pre-loading force.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If multiple small diameter metal helical springs are arranged on the outside of the chamber, then fluid contamination is prevented, but the production of the injector is complicated and lateral encumbrance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spring is segmented into two functional parts: the active portion that provides pre-loading force (positioned outside the chamber) and the guiding portion that ensures proper lid movement (positioned inside the chamber). This segmentation simplifies the overall structure compared to using multiple springs.
Solution Approach 2:
The single spring performs multiple functions: providing pre-loading force, guiding lid sliding movement, and maintaining fluid-tightness. This multi-functionality reduces the number of components needed compared to using multiple specialized springs.
4Device complexity
If a single large diameter spring is used inside the chamber, then the structure is simple, but the spring contacts the fluid causing contamination and increases chamber volume
Solution Approach 1:
The spring is extracted from the fluid-contacting chamber while maintaining structural simplicity through a single spring design. The spring extends partially inside and partially outside the chamber, combining simplicity with contamination prevention.
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
This configuration simplifies and compactifies the injector structure, prevents fluid contamination, and minimizes fluid stagnation, enhancing operational reliability and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
the lid is urged, against the action of elastic means, from an advanced position to a retracted position
Data Source
AI summary
A machine for the preparation of liquid products via capsules comprising a delivery assembly with a preparation chamber, which comprises a first part and a second part. The second part of chamber comprises an injector device, which is configured for introducing a preparation fluid into a capsule and has a hollow body and includes a first body part and a second body part. Defined between the two body parts is a chamber, housed in which is a perforation device having at least one front perforation element that is axially aligned to a respective through hole, defined in a front wall of the second body part of the injector device. The second body part is slidable, against the action of elastic means, from an advanced position, in which the at least one perforation element does not project substantially beyond the front wall, to a retracted position, where the at least one perforation element projects substantially beyond the front wall. The elastic means comprise a bending spring that extends in a direction transverse to the direction of axial sliding (X) of the second body part with respect to the first body part.