Capsule Brewing Module Support Mechanism for High-Pressure Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing brewing modules for extraction devices, such as coffee machines, face challenges in achieving a simple and compact design with flexibility in capsule shape, while maintaining effective sealing under high brewing pressures, often requiring complex and costly mechanisms due to the need for peripheral collars and guide means to manage torque and positioning.
Innovation Solution
A brewing module design featuring a support element that allows capsules to rest on a base during insertion, eliminating the need for peripheral collars and guide means, with a pivoting or lateral movement mechanism that shifts the support element away during closure to create a seal, enabling capsules without collars to be used and maintaining the capsule's center of gravity for stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If peripheral collars and guide means are used to manage torque and positioning, then capsule positioning stability is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the peripheral collar from the capsule design and eliminates the corresponding guide means and holding mechanisms from the brewing module. The capsule is positioned and held solely by friction between the capsule wall and the brewing chamber surfaces, without any mechanical guide slots or collar-holding structures. This extraction of the collar component simplifies both the capsule and the brewing module while maintaining functional stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The capsule uses its own friction characteristics and geometric shape to achieve self-positioning and self-holding within the brewing chamber. The flat bottom surface of the capsule naturally rests on the brewing chamber floor, and the side walls provide friction-based holding during the brewing process, eliminating the need for external guide means or active positioning mechanisms.
2Reliability
If peripheral collars are required for sealing and positioning, then sealing reliability is improved, but capsule design flexibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The peripheral collar, which previously served as the sealing element, is completely removed from the capsule design. Instead, sealing is achieved through the friction-based interaction between the capsule's side walls and the brewing chamber surfaces, allowing capsules of various shapes (cylindrical, conical, irregular) to be used without requiring a standardized collar structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The brewing chamber surfaces are designed to provide multiple functions simultaneously: positioning the capsule via friction, sealing against the capsule wall during brewing, and enabling easy ejection after brewing. This universal approach works with different capsule geometries without requiring capsule-specific adaptations of the brewing module.
3Reliability
If complex holding and releasing mechanisms are implemented, then capsule ejection reliability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The capsule ejection process utilizes the natural friction characteristics and geometric compatibility between the capsule and brewing chamber. After brewing, the capsule is automatically ejected through a simple lever action that exploits the friction-based holding mechanism in reverse, without requiring complex ejection systems, motors, or additional actuators.
Solution Approach 2:
Complex electronic sensors, motors, and multi-stage ejection mechanisms are removed from the brewing module. The ejection function is achieved through a simple mechanical lever that pivots to create sufficient friction and normal force to push the capsule out of the brewing chamber, relying on the same friction principles used for holding during brewing.
Data Source
Figure 1~3
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Figure 7~9
AI summary
In one aspect, the invention relates to a brewing module comprising a first brewing module part (3) and a second brewing module part (4) that can be moved relative to the first brewing module part, the first brewing module part and the second brewing module part having a discharging device for discharging an extraction product from a capsule and an injector for introducing an extraction liquid into the capsule. In a closed position (the first and the second brewing module parts e.g. being "together"), a brewing chamber that surrounds the capsule at least partially during the brewing process is closed. In addition, the brewing module comprises a support element (21). The support element is designed such that in a supporting position, the brewing being chamber open, the support element catches a capsule inserted via the defined insertion position, such that the capsule lies on the support element and on a support part (36) of the first brewing module part (3) after insertion. By closing the brewing chamber, the support element is moved away from the supporting position into a resting position, wherein the capsule is simultaneously held by a gripping element (43) of the first brewing module part and/or of the second brewing module part.