Infusion Cartridge Slide Assembly for Guided Insertion and Ejection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing coffee beverage preparation machines using cartridges face challenges in guided cartridge insertion, positioning, blocking during infusion, and ejection, often requiring complex mechanisms and multiple moving parts, which can lead to inefficiencies and user errors.
Innovation Solution
A machine with an infusion assembly featuring a slide for single cartridge insertion, a lever-operated piston with defined resting and working positions, and a chamber with containment shoulders and a leaf spring for guided cartridge positioning and ejection, allowing for simple and reliable operation with minimal moving parts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If complex mechanisms and multiple moving parts are used for cartridge insertion, positioning, blocking and ejection, then the machine can perform all required functions, but the device complexity increases and user errors occur more frequently
Solution Approach 1:
The slide combines multiple functions into a single component: it guides cartridge insertion, positions the cartridge against the chamber edge, and facilitates ejection. The lever integrates cartridge blocking during infusion and ejection activation. This merging reduces the number of separate moving parts while maintaining all necessary functions, directly resolving the contradiction between operational reliability and device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The slide serves multiple purposes: guiding cartridge insertion, positioning the cartridge, and enabling ejection. The lever provides both blocking during infusion and ejection activation. This multi-functionality allows the machine to perform complex cartridge handling operations with fewer components, reducing complexity while improving ease of operation
2Manufacturing precision
If guided cartridge insertion and positioning mechanisms are implemented, then cartridge positioning accuracy improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The slide's geometry and the chamber edge work together to automatically guide and position the cartridge during insertion. The cartridge itself is guided by the slide's contours and positioned by the chamber edge without requiring additional active positioning mechanisms. This self-guiding approach achieves precise cartridge positioning while minimizing device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The slide acts as an intermediary element between the user and the cartridge, providing a guided path for insertion and a positioning surface against the chamber edge. This simple intermediary structure achieves accurate cartridge positioning without complex mechanisms
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 guided and efficient cartridge handling, ensuring proper positioning and ejection, reducing user errors and machine complexity while accommodating various cartridge types, and can be adapted for both manual and automatic operation.
Implementation Method 1
In the bottom thereof there is a leaf spring 26, or an elastic pusher means, for the cartridge 21
Data Source
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AI summary
A machine for the preparation of beverages by infusion using cartridges; said machine comprises an infusion assembly (10); characterized in that said infusion assembly comprises: a slide (30) for introduction of a single cartridge (21),- a lever (13) for operation of a piston (16); said piston suitable to move rectilinearly along a direction and having a first resting position and a second working position; a chamber (24) suitable for receiving said cartridge; said slide being positioned in an intermediate position between said first resting position and said second working position; said slide having a predefined resting position so that said capsule is positioned resting on an edge of said chamber.