Capsule Infusion Assembly for Compact Clean Ejection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional infusion assemblies for beverage machines are inefficient in terms of space usage and cleanliness, as they often require external arms that occupy space and do not effectively expel used capsules, leaving them hot in the infusion chamber until the next capsule is inserted.
Innovation Solution
The infusion assembly features a fixed dispensing assembly with internal moving arms and a piston system that uses lever or hydraulic actuation to lock and release capsules, reducing space occupation and ensuring the capsule is fully expelled after use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If external arms are used to hold and expel capsules, then the capsule can be held and expelled, but the space occupation increases and the used capsule remains hot in the infusion chamber
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional design by making the dispensing assembly movable instead of fixed, and the arms holding the capsule fixed. This allows the capsule to be expelled more effectively from the infusion chamber, reducing heat retention while maintaining compact dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
The dispensing assembly is designed to be movable between different positions, allowing dynamic adjustment of the capsule holding and expulsion mechanism. This dynamic design enables complete ejection of used capsules from the infusion chamber, eliminating the heat retention problem while keeping the overall structure compact.
2Volume of moving object
If the dispensing assembly is movable with fixed arms, then space occupation is reduced, but the complexity of the mechanism increases
Solution Approach 1:
The movable dispensing assembly serves multiple functions: it holds the capsule during infusion, expels the used capsule from the chamber, and positions the capsule for insertion. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, maintaining simplicity while achieving compact design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the capsule holding arms and the dispensing mechanism into a single integrated movable assembly. This merging of functions reduces the number of separate components and simplifies the overall mechanism while maintaining the compact form factor.
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
This design enhances compactness, reliability, and ease of use by maintaining the dispensing assembly fixed while moving the arms to expel used capsules efficiently, reducing space usage and ensuring cleanliness.
Implementation Method 1
two mutually opposite lever systems (6), which allow the piston (4) to move between the first shoulder (2) and the second shoulder (3)
Implementation Method 2
blocks (13) which can be compressed elastically within the cavity (12) by elastic means (14)
Implementation Method 3
The rounded part (33) is accommodated within a seat (34) formed within the body of the piston (4), allowing the rounded part (33) to turn slightly within the seat (34) when the inclined plane (32) of the arms (30) comes into contact with the fixed part (7)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
An infusion assembly (1), particularly for machines for preparing beverages, comprising a first shoulder (2) and a second shoulder (3) which face each other and are adapted to define internally a space for the movement of a piston (4), a dispensing assembly (7) being arranged between the first and second shoulders (2, 3), means (10, 11) for locking a capsule being provided, the piston (4) being rigidly coupled to the locking means in order to move the locking means from an open position to a closed position in which the capsule is accommodated within the dispensing assembly (7).