Adjustable Beverage Capsule Closing Mechanism for Stable Sealing Force
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beverage preparation devices face challenges in maintaining a consistent closing force of the closing mechanism over the device's lifecycle due to material variations and assembly discrepancies, leading to potential operational issues and reduced functionality.
Innovation Solution
The device incorporates an adjustable closing mechanism with eccentric or cam means that allow for manual adjustment of the closing force by modifying the relative positions of the enclosing members, ensuring a stable and customizable closing force during both assembly and maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the closing mechanism uses fixed enclosing members made of plastic material, then the device structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the closing force decreases over time due to material distortion and formation during long lifecycle usage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the closing mechanism adjustable rather than fixed. The enclosing members are equipped with adjustment means that allow the closing force to be modified over time. This enables the system to adapt to material distortion and formation that occurs during long lifecycle usage, maintaining reliable closing force throughout the device's operational life while keeping the overall structure relatively simple.
2Ease of manufacture
If the enclosing members are made of plastic material for simplicity, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but closing force varies during operation and usage due to material properties and assembly deviations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the parameter changes principle by providing adjustment means that allow the closing force parameter to be modified. The adjustment means include adjustable positioning elements that can change the relative position of the enclosing members, thereby precisely controlling the closing force. This compensates for variations caused by material properties and assembly deviations while maintaining simple plastic construction.
3Device complexity
If the closing mechanism has fixed relative position of enclosing members, then the device structure is simple, but closing force cannot be adjusted for maintenance or production corrections
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the closing mechanism dynamic by introducing adjustment means that allow the relative position of enclosing members to be modified. This enables closing force adjustment for both production corrections and maintenance purposes, providing versatility without significantly increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustment means are designed to be accessible and operable by the user or technician. The first and second adjustable positioning elements can be adjusted to modify the relative position of enclosing members, allowing the system to self-correct for maintenance or production deviations without requiring complex external adjustment mechanisms.
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 enables precise control over the closing force, maintaining optimal operational performance throughout the device's lifecycle and ensuring consistent beverage preparation, even with variations in component materials and assembly deviations.
Implementation Method 1
adjustment means comprise eccentric means or cam means enabling to vary the closing force of the closing mechanism
Implementation Method 2
adjustment means comprise eccentric means or cam means enabling to vary the closing force of the closing mechanism
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention proposes a device (50) for preparing a beverage from a food substance contained in a capsule (24) by injection of a liquid into the capsule (24) provided to the device (50). Said liquid is provided by a pump of the device, said device comprising an extraction head (20) having an aperture (22) for inserting a capsule (24) into a brewing chamber (25) of the device. The brewing chamber (25) is defined by an upper and a lower enclosing member (10a,10b), a closing mechanism (1) to selectively enclose said capsule by a relative displacement of said enclosing members. The enclosing members are designed for being transferred between an open insertion position for inserting a capsule (24) into the brewing chamber (25) and a closed injection position for enclosing the capsule within the brewing chamber (25), and adjustment means (3a,3b,9b,9c,7a,7b,8a) connected to at least one of said enclosing members (10a,10b) in order to adjust the relative position of the enclosing members and hence the closing force of the closing mechanism (1).