Capsule Coffee Machine Detent Mechanism for Automatic Capsule Drop
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Solution Overview
Problem
Capsule coffee machines with automatic capsule-dropping functions have complex structures and occupy large space, making them inconvenient and prone to damage due to user variability in operation.
Innovation Solution
A capsule coffee machine with a simplified and compact design featuring rotating detent members and a resilient member for automatic capsule dropping, allowing the brewing seat and assembly to move apart after brewing, enabling gravity-driven capsule release without protruding components, and accommodating capsules of different shapes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If automatic capsule-dropping structure is provided with left slider and right slider moving towards two sides, then capsule can be released automatically, but structure becomes complex and occupying space increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the capsule release function from a complex multi-component slider system and implements it through a simple detent member mechanism. The detent member, when rotated, directly releases the capsule without requiring separate left and right sliders, thereby simplifying the overall structure while maintaining automatic release capability.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using sliders that move outward to release the capsule, the patent inverts the approach by using a detent member that rotates inward to lock the capsule during brewing, and rotates outward to release it. This inversion simplifies the mechanical arrangement and reduces the number of moving parts required.
2Extent of automation
If left slider and right slider move towards two sides during operation, then capsule can be released, but occupying space increases and affects normal use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic detent member that rotates between locked and released positions rather than using static sliders that protrude outward. This dynamic rotation mechanism allows the release function to be achieved within a compact space without requiring the brewing head to extend beyond the machine's footprint.
3Device complexity
If manual removal of capsule is required, then structure can be simple, but machine gets broken easily due to user variability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-service automatic capsule release mechanism using a detent member that automatically opens after brewing. This eliminates the need for manual capsule removal, thereby preventing damage to the machine caused by improper user handling while maintaining structural simplicity.
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
The solution provides a user-friendly, space-efficient, and durable capsule coffee machine that automatically drops brewed capsules, ensuring easy operation and wide applicability with reduced risk of damage.
Implementation Method 1
a resilient member, which is used for pushing the brewing assembly away from the brewing seat
Implementation Method 2
The coffee capsule will drop automatically by the action of the gravity since the holding action of the detent member exists no longer
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A capsule coffee machine comprises a brewing seat (9) and a brewing assembly (10) which are moveable with respect to each other. The capsule coffee machine also comprises: two rotating members (11), with one end of each rotating member (11) connected with the brewing assembly (10) in a rotatable manner; two detent members (14), each connected with the limit structure of the other end of a corresponding rotating member (11) in a moveable manner. When the brewing assembly (10) and the brewing seat (9) are moving apart from each other, each detent member (14) is rotated inwardly by a corresponding rotating member (11) located respectively, so that a coffee capsule (12) can be held between the two detent members (14). When the brewing assembly (10) and the brewing seat (9) are moving towards each other, each detent member (14) is rotated outwardly by the corresponding rotating member (11) to release the coffee capsule (12), so that the coffee capsule (12) enters into a making cavity of the brewing assembly (10) to brew coffee. When the brewing assembly (10) and the brewing seat (9) are moving apart from each other again, the coffee capsule (12) having been brewed will drop from an interval between the brewing seat (9) and the brewing assembly (10) as the interval increases, and each detent member (14) is rotated inwardly by the corresponding rotating member (11) to its original position. The brewed coffee capsule (12) can drop from the capsule coffee machine automatically. The structure of the capsule coffee machine is simple and compact, the occupying space is small, and it is convenient to operate.