Capsule Brewing Chamber Control to Prevent Jams and Dry Starts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing portion capsule machines require manual operation and lack automated safety features, risking jamming and user safety due to the manual movement of brewing chamber elements, which can lead to operational failures and injuries.
Innovation Solution
A motor-driven portion capsule machine with a blocking device and capsule detector system that automatically moves brewing chamber elements and controls liquid supply based on detected capsules, ensuring safe operation and preventing jamming by using a delay mechanism and safety mode for unknown capsules.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the movable brewing chamber element is moved manually by the user, then the machine structure remains simple, but the ease of operation deteriorates and operational safety is compromised due to jamming risks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical operation of moving the movable brewing chamber element with an automated motor-driven system. The motor (23) automatically transfers the movable brewing chamber element (6) between the loading position and working position, eliminating the need for manual user intervention and improving ease of operation while maintaining controlled complexity through automated safety mechanisms.
2Ease of operation
If the movable brewing chamber element is moved automatically by a motor, then the ease of operation improves, but the reliability deteriorates due to the risk of portion capsules becoming jammed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a blocking device (13) that is activated before the motor moves the movable brewing chamber element. This blocking device preliminarily prevents portion capsules from being inserted into the capsule feed shaft (21) during the automated movement process, eliminating the jamming risk while maintaining automated operation. The blocking device is controlled to release only when the brewing chamber element is in the correct position.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a capsule detector (9) that provides feedback signals to the control unit about the presence and position of portion capsules. This feedback mechanism allows the control unit to coordinate the blocking device and motor operation, ensuring the movable brewing chamber element is only moved when no portion capsule is present in the feed shaft, thereby maintaining both automated operation and reliability.
3Productivity
If the liquid supply device operates continuously, then the productivity improves, but the reliability deteriorates due to unnecessary liquid supply when no portion capsule is present
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the capsule detector (9) to provide feedback signals to the control unit, which then controls the liquid supply device (2, 3) accordingly. The liquid supply device operates only when the capsule detector confirms the presence of a portion capsule in the brewing chamber, preventing unnecessary liquid supply and potential damage while maintaining high productivity during actual brewing operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic control of the liquid supply device based on real-time detection of portion capsule presence. The liquid supply device is activated and deactivated dynamically according to the brewing cycle and capsule detection status, ensuring liquid is supplied only when needed and at the appropriate times during the brewing process, thereby maintaining both productivity and reliability.
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
Enhances user convenience and operational reliability by automating brewing chamber movement, preventing jamming and ensuring safe operation through the use of a blocking device and capsule detection system, reducing the risk of accidents and equipment damage.
Implementation Method 1
the movable brewing chamber element being moved by means of a motor between a loading position
Implementation Method 2
a blocking device is arranged inside the capsule feed chute, which between a blocking position, in which portion capsules are prevented from passing through the blocking device
Implementation Method 3
with a capsule detector also being arranged in the capsule feed shaft, which detects the passage of a portion capsule
Implementation Method 4
The portion capsule machine is configured in such a way that a liquid supply device for supplying liquid into the brewing chamber is put into operation when the movable brewing chamber element is in the working position
Implementation Method 5
a thermocouple for heating the liquid
Implementation Method 6
Each brewing chamber element has a perforating means, one of the two perforating means being provided for perforating the capsule lid and the other of the two perforating means for perforating the bottom area of the portion capsule
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 1c~1d
Figure 2a~2b
AI summary
Single-serve-capsule machine for producing a beverage from a single-serve capsule, wherein the single-serve-capsule machine has a movable brewing-chamber element and a non-movable brewing-chamber element, wherein the movable brewing-chamber element can be moved, by means of a motor, between a loading position, in which the movable brewing-chamber element and the non-movable brewing-chamber element are spaced apart from one another for the introduction of a single-serve capsule, and an operating position, in which the movable brewing-chamber element and the non-movable brewing-chamber element have been advanced towards one another in order to form a substantially closed brewing chamber, wherein the single-serve-capsule machine also has a capsule-feeding shaft, through which single-serve-capsules can be fed to the movable brewing-chamber element located in the loading position, wherein the capsule-feeding shaft contains a blocking device which can be transferred, by means of a drive, between a blocking position, in which single-serve capsules are prevented from passing the blocking device, and a release position, in which single-serve capsules are able to pass the blocking device, wherein a capsule detector is also arranged in the region of the capsule-feeding shaft, or above the capsule-feeding shaft, said detector detecting passage of a single-serve capsule, and wherein the single-serve-capsule machine has an actuating device so that a user can start the beverage-making process, wherein the single-serve-capsule machine is configured such that, in dependence on a starting signal triggered by actuation of the actuating device, the blocking device is shifted from the blocking position into the release position, wherein the single-serve-capsule machine is also configured such that, once a first period of time has elapsed since the starting signal was triggered, the movable brewing-chamber element is transferred from the loading position into the operating position, and wherein the single-serve-capsule machine is configured such that a liquid-feeding device for feeding liquid into the brewing chamber is brought into operation when the movable brewing-chamber element is located in the operating position and the capsule detector has previously detected a single-serve capsule.