Capsule Beverage Feeder With Rotating Disk for Mixed Pod Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vending machines are unable to efficiently dispense beverages from capsules or pods of varying shapes and sizes, lacking the capability to handle multiple product types and ensuring reliable and economical operation.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus features two detachable magazines with rotating supports and a feeder system that accommodates cartridges of different dimensions and shapes, utilizing a double hydraulic piston for precise capsule handling and infusion, along with elastic arms for secure engagement and a mechanism to handle different types of cartridges through interchangeable components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single magazine and picker system is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the adaptability to handle various capsule types and dimensions is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The extraction system is designed with a universal gripper mechanism that can accommodate multiple capsule types and dimensions through adjustable gripping surfaces and interchangeable end effectors. The magazine system can store different capsule formats, and the picker can transfer various capsule types to the extraction system, enabling one system to perform multiple functions with different capsule formats.
Solution Approach 2:
The extraction system incorporates movable and adjustable components, including the picker's dual positioning capability (receiving position and releasing position), and the extraction system's ability to close around the capsule. The system can dynamically adapt its configuration to handle different capsule types, allowing flexibility without requiring completely separate systems for each capsule variant.
2Reliability
If a picker system with multiple positions is used, then the reliability of capsule handling is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The picker is divided into distinct functional segments with specific positions: a receiving position for acquiring capsules from the magazine and a releasing position for transferring them to the extraction system. This segmentation allows each position to be optimized for its specific function, improving reliability through dedicated functional zones while managing complexity by breaking down the overall system into manageable positional segments.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates automatic capsule detection and positioning mechanisms that enable the picker to self-adjust and self-align during operation. The extraction system automatically closes around the capsule and the picker automatically positions itself, reducing the need for complex manual control systems and improving reliability through automated self-correcting 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
Enables efficient, reliable, and versatile automatic dispensing of beverages from various capsules or pods, allowing for up to 12 different products and ensuring high operational reliability by adapting to different cartridge types and sizes, facilitating easy replacement and continuous operation.
Implementation Method 1
a double hydraulic piston constituted by a power piston inserted within a cylinder. The power piston forms an annular cavity together with the cylinder. The annular cavity and the axial passage are supplied by a pressurized fluid which arrives from a first duct
Implementation Method 2
In that position, fluid is fed from the second duct so as to lock the cartridge against the head with greater force
Data Source
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AI summary
An apparatus (1) for preparing and dispensing beverages from a powder contained in capsules, includes a plurality of magazines (2, 3) containing stacks of capsules (7) which contain a powder suitable to produce a beverage, a feeder adapted to remove a capsule from the magazine and move it to an injection position, an injector (6) adapted to inject water into the capsule to produce a beverage, the feeder also moving the capsule to a discharge position; the feeder has a rotating disk (24) provided with a contact portion and with a means (25) for temporary engagement of a capsule.