Capsule Injection Chamber Flap for Reliable Chute-Free Loading
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beverage preparation devices require manual or chute-assisted placement of capsules in a fixed injection chamber, which limits flexibility and increases the risk of capsule fall during insertion.
Innovation Solution
A capsule machine design featuring pivotable flaps oriented at an angle to the standing surface, allowing capsule placement at a distance from the injection chamber, with flaps pivoting to prevent capsule fall through the ejection opening during insertion and supported by spring mechanisms for adjustment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a chute is used to feed the beverage substrate capsule into the injection chamber, then the capsule can be reliably delivered, but the device complexity increases and the flexibility of capsule placement is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the chute component from the system and replaces it with a flap mechanism that can pivot to either allow capsule passage or block the ejection opening. This extraction of the chute eliminates the complexity associated with fixed feeding paths while maintaining reliable capsule delivery through the flap's adaptive positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The flap is designed to be dynamically adjustable between different positions - it can pivot to allow capsules to pass into the injection chamber or rotate to block the ejection opening and prevent capsule fall. This dynamic adaptability replaces the static chute structure, providing both reliability and flexibility without increasing overall device complexity.
2Ease of operation
If the injection chamber is designed with a fixed structure, then the capsule must be placed directly in it, but this reduces the flexibility of capsule placement and increases the risk of capsule fall during insertion
Solution Approach 1:
The flap acts as an intermediary element between the capsule feeding path and the ejection opening. It can pivot to a blocking position to prevent capsule fall during insertion, providing reliability, while still allowing capsules to pass through when in the open position, maintaining placement flexibility. This intermediary mechanism resolves the contradiction between fixed chamber structure and flexible placement.
Solution Approach 2:
The flap is positioned and configured to proactively prevent capsule fall by blocking the ejection opening during the insertion process. This preliminary protective action occurs before any potential capsule fall can occur, ensuring reliability while allowing the injection chamber to maintain its fixed structure for stability.
3Reliability
If flaps are designed to pivot parallel to the standing surface, then the structure is simple, but the flaps cannot effectively prevent capsule fall from a distance
Solution Approach 1:
The flap is oriented at an angle relative to the standing surface rather than parallel to it, creating an asymmetric configuration that optimizes its ability to block the ejection opening and prevent capsule fall. This angled orientation provides more effective coverage of the ejection path while maintaining reasonable structural simplicity, resolving the contradiction between effectiveness and complexity.
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 reliable capsule retention without a chute, allowing for flexible placement and preventing capsule fall during the insertion process, while maintaining efficient operation and ease of use.
Implementation Method 1
spring means (32) which apply spring force on the first flap (9) in the direction of its feed position
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~7
AI summary
The invention relates to a beverage preparation device for producing beverages from beverage substrate capsules (3), preferably compostable, in particular coffee capsules, with a housing (19) defining a preferably horizontal standing surface, with an injection device (2) for dissolving and/or leaching out in a beverage substrate capsule (3) stored beverage substrate, and with water supply means for supplying the injection device (2) with water, wherein the injection device (2) has an injection chamber (4) for receiving the beverage substrate capsule (3), comprising a first injection chamber part (5) that, preferably translationally, relative to a, preferably stationary, second injection chamber part (6) for opening and closing the injection chamber (4) between an opening position in which the injection chamber (4) is opened and a beverage substrate capsule (3) can be supplied and a closed position in which the injection chamber (4) is closed, along a movement path (B), and with an ejection opening (15), through which the beverage substrate capsule (3) can be ejected after the injection process, and with a, in particular by adjusting the first injection chamber part (5) in the direction of the second injection chamber part (6 ) about a first pivot axis (16) from a supply position into a release position comprising retaining means for securing the beverage substrate capsule (3) from falling through the ejection opening (15) during the supply process.