Capsule holder, beverage preparation machine and method for delivering a liquid through a beverage preparation machine
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Solution Overview
Problem
Beverage preparation machines require frequent cleaning and sanitization to prevent residue buildup and bacterial growth, and ensuring a secure connection between the capsule holder and the beverage preparation device is challenging, especially with different capsule types and sizes.
Innovation Solution
A capsule holder with a rotatable lock element and translationally movable holder body that allows self-alignment and secure attachment to the beverage preparation device, enabling safe and secure connection regardless of capsule presence or type, facilitated by a spring-biased design and cooperating rotational restriction structures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a fixed connection mechanism is used between capsule holder and beverage preparation device, then connection stability is improved, but adaptability to different capsule types and sizes deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The lock element is designed to be rotatable relative to the holder body about a fixing axis, allowing the connection mechanism to adapt dynamically to different capsule types and sizes while maintaining secure connection stability through rotational locking positions
2Manufacturing precision
If the holder body is fixed relative to the lock element, then manufacturing precision is improved, but self-alignment capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The holder body is designed to be translationally moveable relative to the lock element along the attachment direction, enabling self-alignment during the attachment process while maintaining precise positioning once locked in place
Solution Approach 2:
The spring element pre-biases the holder body towards the beverage preparation device, performing the alignment action in advance before final locking occurs, ensuring proper positioning is achieved automatically
3Device complexity
If a simple locking mechanism is used, then device complexity is reduced, but connection reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The rotatable lock element provides a simple yet reliable locking mechanism that achieves secure connection through rotational movement and engagement with the holder body, maintaining low complexity while ensuring connection reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The spring element performs preliminary alignment and biasing actions before final locking, ensuring that the simple locking mechanism achieves reliable connection without requiring complex adjustment procedures
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
Ensures safe and secure alignment and attachment of the capsule holder, allowing for effective sanitization and beverage production without residue buildup, even when no capsule is inserted, and accommodating various capsule sizes and types.
Implementation Method 1
a spring element can be provided between the lock element and the holder body, which is configured to bias the holder body towards the beverage preparation device
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is directed to a capsule holder (2) for holding a capsule (C) carrying a beverage component and for being attachable in an attachment direction (I) to a beverage preparation device (3) of a beverage preparation machine (1) for beverage production, the capsule holder (2) comprising a holder body (4) having a cavity (40) configured to receive a capsule (C) via an insertion opening (41), and a lock element (5) for fixing the capsule holder (2) to the beverage preparation device, wherein the lock element (5) and the holder body (4) are connected to each other so that i) the lock element (5) is rotatably moveable relative to the holder body (4) about a fixing axis (F), and ii) the holder body (4) is translationally moveable relative to the lock element (5) along the attachment direction (I). The present invention is further directed to a beverage preparation machine (1) comprising a capsule holder (2) according to the present invention and a beverage preparation device (3). Moreover, the present invention is further directed to a method for delivering a liquid through a beverage preparation machine (1) according to the present invention.