Apparatus for making a beverage by brewing a food substance contained in a capsule
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beverage brewing apparatuses face challenges in coordinating the movement of retaining and ejector elements to securely hold and eject capsules during brewing, often resulting in complexity and reliability issues.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus features separate and movable retaining and ejector elements, mechanically operated in conjunction with a sliding first member, ensuring coordinated movement and positioning through a guide mechanism, allowing for precise control of capsule insertion and ejection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a spring-based ejector is used to eject the capsule, then the ejection function is achieved, but the device complexity increases and reliability decreases due to coordination issues with the retaining element
Solution Approach 1:
The capsule handling mechanism is divided into separate functional components: a retaining element with retaining arms that can independently engage and disengage from the capsule flange, and an ejector that operates separately. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function without interference, improving reliability while maintaining manageable complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The retaining element is designed with movable retaining arms that can dynamically adjust their position - engaged during insertion to prevent premature ejection, and disengaged during ejection to allow capsule removal. This dynamic behavior enables the system to adapt to different operational phases without requiring complex coordination mechanisms.
2Ease of operation
If the retaining element and ejector both act on the same capsule flange, then capsule control is achieved, but coordination difficulties arise leading to operational reliability issues
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining element acts radially on the capsule flange through retaining arms that extend from the sides, while the ejector acts axially from the rear. This dimensional separation of action vectors allows both elements to control the capsule without interfering with each other's operation, eliminating coordination conflicts.
Solution Approach 2:
The retaining arms serve as intermediary elements between the retaining element mechanism and the capsule flange. These arms can be selectively engaged or disengaged from the flange's retaining grooves, providing a controlled interface that allows the ejector to operate freely on the capsule rear without direct interference from the retaining mechanism.
3Device complexity
If manual lever operation is used for brewing unit movement, then device complexity is reduced, but automation and productivity are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The brewing unit is designed to be self-servicing during the brewing cycle. Once the user manually opens or closes the brewing unit, the internal mechanisms automatically perform the brewing operations, capsule ejection, and preparation for the next cycle without requiring continuous manual intervention, thereby maintaining simplicity while enabling continuous operation.
4Ease of operation
If the first member and second member are kept spaced apart in home position, then capsule insertion is enabled, but capsule retention during brewing is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining element is pre-positioned with its retaining arms in a ready-to-engage state before the brewing cycle begins. When the capsule is inserted and the brewing unit is closed, the retaining arms automatically engage with the capsule flange grooves, ensuring immediate and reliable retention without requiring additional actions or adjustments during the brewing process.
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 solution simplifies the operation of the brewing unit by ensuring the retaining and ejector elements are in the correct positions during brewing and ejection, enhancing the reliability and efficiency of capsule handling without the need for additional components like springs.
Implementation Method 1
insertion of a new capsule between the first member and the second member in the home position occurs from the top thanks to the force of gravity
Implementation Method 2
removal of the capsule from the brewing unit involves a return of the capsule along said axis and subsequently falling due to gravity along an unloading channel
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for making a beverage using a capsule, including a supporting structure and a brewing unit, which includes a first member and a second member. The brewing unit includes a retaining element which receives a perimetric flange of the capsule and is slidably movable relative to the supporting structure between a receiving position and a disengaging position. The brewing unit includes an ejector which ejects the capsule from the second member and is slidably movable relative to the supporting structure between an extracted position and a retracted position. The first member, which is movable between an operating position and a home position, mechanically operates to cause movements of the retaining element between the receiving position and the disengaging position, and to cause movements of the ejector between the extracted position and the retracted position. The retaining element and the ejector are separate and movable one relative to the other.