Capsule Piercing Module With Guided Clamping for Plastic Capsules
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beverage production machines face difficulties in reliably piercing plastic capsules, as the piercing means often fail to properly cut or deform instead of piercing, leading to inconsistent beverage extraction processes.
Innovation Solution
A beverage production system with a module that uses a conformal element to securely house and partially open the capsule, combined with mechanically coupled engagement members and perforation means, allowing precise and controlled perforation of the capsule using a common actuator for reliable liquid injection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If piercing means are used to pierce plastic capsules, then liquid injection is enabled, but the piercing means fail to properly cut or deform instead of piercing
Solution Approach 1:
The capsule is first clamped and positioned securely between the first and second engagement members before the perforation means attempts to pierce it. This preliminary clamping action stabilizes the capsule, preventing deformation during the piercing process and enabling reliable penetration of the plastic capsule wall by the perforation means.
Solution Approach 2:
The conformal element is introduced as an intermediary component that interfaces with the capsule surface. This conformal element, which matches the outer shape of the capsule, provides a stable positioning surface and distributes clamping forces evenly, facilitating reliable piercing by the perforation means while preventing capsule deformation.
2Manufacturing precision
If the capsule is clamped securely to prevent movement, then piercing precision is improved, but the capsule wall deforms instead of being pierced
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping force is applied locally at specific clamping surfaces on the engagement members rather than uniformly across the entire capsule. This localized clamping provides sufficient positioning precision for accurate piercing while distributing stress to prevent overall capsule wall deformation. The conformal element also provides localized support at the piercing point.
Solution Approach 2:
The engagement members are designed with movable clamping surfaces that can adapt to the capsule shape dynamically. This dynamic adaptation allows the clamping surfaces to conform to the capsule's outer shape, providing precise positioning for piercing while distributing clamping forces to prevent wall deformation.
Data Source
Figure 1a~1c
Figure 2a~2e
Figure 3a~3e
AI summary
A beverage production machine (2) designed for producing a beverage from a capsule (1), the beverage production machine having a module (2) comprising: a casing (19) having lateral walls, an actuator mechanism (7), wherein the actuator mechanism (7) comprises a first control curve (17), a first capsule engagement member (3) wherein the first engagement member (3) comprises a guiding pin (16), wherein the lateral walls of the casing (19) of the beverage production module (2) comprising a second guiding curve (18), co-operation of the guiding pin (16) with the second guiding curve (18) is designed to carry out a relative displacement being a combined displacement comprising a linear displacement when the first and second capsule engagement members (3, 4) are close together and a swivelling movement when they are distanced from each other.