Beverage Cartridge Delivery Head with Integrated Clamping and Ejection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Beverage preparation machines with cartridge ejection mechanisms are complex and bulky due to the need for separate mechanisms for clamping and ejecting cartridges, leading to mechanical complexity and increased component size.
Innovation Solution
A delivery head with a clamping member that is movable from an open position to a clamping position and then to an ejection position, allowing for both clamping and ejection of cartridges in a single motion, reducing the number of large components and simplifying the machine's construction, while maintaining clamping force during ejection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate mechanisms are used for clamping and ejecting cartridges, then the clamping and ejection functions are reliable, but the device complexity and component size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the clamping member and ejection member into a single integrated component. The clamping member performs both clamping function (when positioned to engage the cartridge) and ejection function (when positioned to push the cartridge outward), eliminating the need for separate mechanisms and reducing overall device complexity while maintaining functional reliability
2Reliability
If separate mechanisms are used for clamping and ejecting cartridges, then the clamping and ejection functions are reliable, but the delivery head volume increases
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the clamping and ejection functions into a single clamping member, the patent reduces the number of large components required in the delivery head. The integrated design allows the same component to perform multiple functions, thereby reducing the overall volume of the delivery head while maintaining reliable clamping and ejection operations
3Ease of operation
If the clamping mechanism returns to open configuration for ejection, then the ejection is complete, but the operation time increases and user safety decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the clamping member in advance to perform both clamping and ejection functions sequentially without returning to the open configuration. The clamping member is pre-positioned to engage the cartridge for clamping, then moves to eject the cartridge while maintaining engagement, thereby completing the ejection action faster and improving user safety by keeping the mechanism closed during the entire operation
Data Source
AI summary
A delivery head for a beverage preparation machine comprising a clamping member and a base, wherein the clamping member is movable relative to the base, the clamping member being sequentially movable from an open position, through a clamping position to an ejection position, the clamping position being intermediate the open position and the ejection position, in the open position the clamping member being positioned to enable loading of a cartridge into the delivery head, the clamping member being clampable against said cartridge in the clamping position, the clamping member being movable relative to the base from the clamping position to the ejection position to enable transportation and ejection of said cartridge.