Capsule Holder Extraction Unit with Planetary Gear and Linear Actuator

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing beverage preparation machines with capsule holder loading systems are bulky, costly, and inefficient, lacking in compactness, cost-effectiveness, and ease of manufacturing, maintenance, and are prone to friction losses.

Innovation Solution

A compact extraction unit with a planetary gear train and linear actuator system that converts rotary motion into linear motion, allowing for efficient and reliable operation, reducing friction losses and eliminating the need for high-torque motors, while being aesthetically pleasing and easy to integrate.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a belt-driven mechanism with pulley and crank is used to convert rotary motion to linear reciprocating motion, then the capsule holder can be driven between positions, but the system becomes bulky and costly to manufacture

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecapsule holder positioningVSAvoidextraction unit size

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the complex belt-driven mechanical system with a direct linear actuator mechanism. The linear actuator directly converts rotary motion to linear reciprocating motion of the capsule holder without requiring pulleys, belts, or cranks, thereby eliminating the bulky components while maintaining the positioning function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention extracts and removes the intermediate transmission components (belt, pulley, crank) from the mechanical system, leaving only the essential linear actuator and capsule holder. This simplification reduces the overall volume and manufacturing cost while preserving the core functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Ease of operation

If a rack and pinion arrangement with parallel gear train is used to drive the capsule holder, then the positioning function is achieved, but the system becomes bulky

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecapsule holder actuationVSAvoidgear train structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent substitutes the rack and pinion arrangement with a direct linear actuator mechanism. The linear actuator provides direct linear motion to the capsule holder, eliminating the need for gear trains and reducing structural complexity while maintaining actuation functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Productivity

If conventional mechanical transmission systems are used, then motion conversion is achieved, but friction losses occur and efficiency is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebrewing efficiencyVSAvoidfriction loss

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The invention replaces multiple mechanical transmission stages with a single linear actuator that directly drives the capsule holder. This eliminates intermediate mechanical contacts and friction points, reducing energy loss and improving brewing efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 compact, cost-effective, and efficient extraction unit with high power and torque density, reducing friction losses and enhancing the reliability and ease of maintenance, resulting in a more efficient and user-friendly beverage preparation machine.

Implementation Method 1

the loading mechanism comprises a planetary gear train and a linear actuator, the actuator unit to supply a rotary motion to the planetary gear train, the planetary gear train to gear down the said rotary motion

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPlanetary gear mechanism: Gear

Implementation Method 2

the planetary gear train to gear down the said rotary motion; the linear actuator to: receive the said geared down rotary motion; convert the geared down rotary motion into linear motion

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical advantage: Mechanical Advantage

Data Source

PatentUS11877690B2Extraction unit of beverage preparation machine

Publication Date: 2024.01.23 SOCIETE DES PRODUITS NESTLE SA

AI summary

An extraction unit of a beverage preparation machine, the extraction unit to extract an ingredient of a beverage from a capsule, the extraction unit comprising: a capsule holder operable to move between a capsule receiving position and a capsule extraction position; a capsule holder loading system operable to actuate the capsule holder between the said positions, the capsule holder loading system comprising an actuator unit and a loading mechanism, the actuator unit to actuate the loading mechanism, wherein the loading mechanism comprises a planetary gear train and a linear actuator, the actuator unit to supply a rotary motion to the planetary gear train, the planetary gear train to gear down the said rotary motion, the linear actuator to: receive the said geared down rotary motion; convert the geared down rotary motion into linear motion; couple the said linear motion to the capsule holder.