Coffee Capsule Loading Screw for Compact Infusor Feeding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing coffee machines with rotating drum loaders are bulky and inefficient in space usage, leading to increased vertical size and potential obstructions due to the need for large free spaces and suboptimal geometry, which limits their placement in areas with shelves or cupboards.
Innovation Solution
A coffee machine with a selective loading device featuring a motorized conveyor screw and guide channel for step-wise movement of coffee capsules, allowing for compact horizontal development along the upper base, enabling flexible placement in restricted spaces and ensuring reliable capsule orientation and engagement with the infusor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a rotating drum loader is used to support and move capsules, then capsules can be selectively aligned and moved towards the infusor, but the vertical size of the coffee machine increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a vertical rotating drum mechanism to a horizontal advancement line with conveyor screw. Instead of rotating capsules vertically in a drum, the capsules are conveyed horizontally along a linear path using a screw mechanism, fundamentally changing the spatial dimension of operation from vertical to horizontal.
Solution Approach 2:
The loading device is divided into distinct functional segments: a guide channel for capsule positioning, a conveyor screw for step-wise advancement, and a release section for capsule delivery. This segmentation allows each component to perform its function efficiently within a compact horizontal footprint.
2Adaptability or versatility
If large free spaces are set aside for the rotating drum's movement, then the drum can operate freely, but the overall size of the coffee machine increases
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyor screw provides dynamic, step-wise movement of capsules along the advancement line. The motorized screw can advance capsules one at a time or in controlled increments, providing the necessary movement freedom without requiring large static spaces. The mechanism is compact because it moves sequentially rather than requiring simultaneous clearance for full drum rotation.
3Area of stationary object
If the circular plan shape of the rotating drum is contained within the quadrangular plan shape of the coffee machine, then the drum fits within the machine boundaries, but considerable space is wasted above the upper base
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the symmetric circular drum with an asymmetric linear advancement line that conforms to the rectangular footprint of the coffee machine. The conveyor screw and guide channel are arranged to maximize the use of available rectangular space, eliminating the wasted corner areas that would result from fitting a circular drum into a rectangular base.
4Volume of stationary object
If a motorized conveyor screw is used for step movement of capsules, then space usage is optimized and vertical height is reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the complex mechanical rotating drum system with a simpler motorized conveyor screw mechanism. The screw converts rotational motor motion into linear capsule advancement, providing precise step-wise control with fewer moving parts and less complex geometry than a rotating drum while achieving the same capsule selection and delivery function.
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 optimizes space usage, reduces the overall height of the coffee machine, and allows for flexible placement in limited spaces while ensuring a safe and reliable selective supply of coffee capsules to the infusor, enhancing user flexibility and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
at least a motorised conveyor screw for a determined step movement of at least a stack of capsules along a support and guide channel
Implementation Method 2
said conveyor screw preferably exhibits, at the base thereof, an activating cam of a microswitch for interrupting the rotation of the motor which activates said conveyor screw when the stack of capsules advances by a step
Implementation Method 3
along which the capsule released from a release section is slidable and/or rollable by gravitational fall towards a section that is vertically aligned to the underlying infusor
Data Source
AI summary
In the coffee machine (1) exhibiting a selective loading device of a coffee capsule into an infusor, the loading device comprises at least an advancement line (L) exhibiting at least a motorized conveyor screw (11) for step movement of at least a stack (6) of capsules (7, 9) along a support and guide channel (14) of the advancement of the stack (6) of capsules (7, 9) towards a release section (8), and manual command means for enabling the advancing by a step of said at least a stack of capsules (7, 9), the channel (14) exhibiting, at an upper side thereof, windows (16) having a complementary shape to the capsules (7, 9) for introduction thereof with a compulsory orientation suitable for correct use with the conveyor screw (11).