Coffee Capsule Infusion Assembly With Automatic Unloading
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing infusion assemblies for coffee machines are not cost-effective and do not automatically unload used containers, requiring manual intervention and increasing operational complexity.
Innovation Solution
A hydraulic infusion assembly with a telescopic piston and rocker arms that automatically pierces and grips sealed coffee capsules, allowing for easy insertion and unloading, featuring a frame with longitudinal and transverse walls, a hydraulic cylinder, and a stop device to hold the capsule in place for infusion and ejection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual intervention is used for container handling, then device complexity is reduced, but productivity decreases and operational efficiency is lowered
Solution Approach 1:
The infusion assembly performs self-service by automatically gripping, piercing, and ejecting the container through its own hydraulic piston and rocker arm mechanisms without requiring external manual intervention for these operations
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs a hydraulic piston to generate the forces needed for gripping the container flange, piercing the capsule seals, and ejecting the used container, replacing manual mechanical operations with automated hydraulic actuation
2Productivity
If automated unloading mechanism is added, then productivity increases, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hydraulic piston serves multiple functions: gripping the container flange, piercing the capsule seals, and ejecting the used container, thereby achieving automated unloading capability through a single multi-functional component rather than multiple specialized mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The invention combines the gripping mechanism, piercing mechanism, and ejection mechanism into a single integrated hydraulic piston assembly, reducing the number of separate components and simplifying manufacturing
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 enables a cost-effective and automated process for brewing beverages by simplifying the handling of coffee capsules, reducing manual labor, and ensuring efficient unloading of used containers, thereby enhancing operational efficiency and user convenience.
Implementation Method 1
a hydraulic piston (16) mounted to move axially inside the cylinder
Implementation Method 2
designed so that the piston, under the action of a spring (22), moves from a withdrawn initial position, in which it contacts the open end (15) of the cylinder, towards the transverse wall (12)
Data Source
AI summary
An infusion assembly, wherein a piston is positioned facing an open end of a cup, and is movable along a first axis to insert a container of powdered material into the cup; the container having been arrested, in use, by a gripper-type stop device in a position coaxial with the first axis and inside a through channel interposed between the piston and the cup; the gripper-type stop device being movable with and by the piston to perform a work movement towards the cup; and the cup having a second axis, and being mounted to oscillate, about a third axis perpendicular to the first axis, between a normal unloading position, in which the open end of the cup faces downwards, and a work position, in which the second axis is coaxial with the first axis.