Coffee capsule machine with arcuate powder compacting device
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing coffee capsule machines require significant horizontal spacing between the grinding and compacting units due to the vertical orientation of the compacting channel, leading to a bulky structure and increased packaging and transportation costs.
Innovation Solution
A coffee capsule machine with an arcuate powder compacting device, featuring an arcuate powder compacting channel that bypasses the grinding container, allowing for a more compact layout by enabling the tamping hammer to slide along an upward arcuate path without interference, and incorporating a gear-driven mechanism for efficient tamping.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the compacting channel is oriented vertically with a conical grinding container, then the tamping hammer can effectively compact the coffee powder, but a significant horizontal spacing is required between the compacting channel and the grinding container, increasing the overall machine size
Solution Approach 1:
The compacting channel is designed with an arcuate (curved) configuration instead of a straight vertical orientation. The channel extends upward in an arcuate path from the lower front side of the grinding container, allowing the tamping hammer to move along a curved trajectory. This curvature enables the compacting channel to bypass the grinding container while maintaining effective tamping motion, thereby reducing the horizontal spacing requirement and overall machine footprint.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a traditional vertical-upward compacting channel to an arcuate path that incorporates horizontal and vertical components. By changing the dimensional trajectory of the compacting channel from purely vertical to a curved path in multiple dimensions, the design allows the channel to navigate around the grinding container, optimizing space utilization and reducing the machine's overall size.
2Ease of operation
If significant horizontal spacing is provided between the compacting channel and grinding container, then the tamping hammer can move freely, but the overall machine size and packaging costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The arcuate compacting channel provides sufficient clearance for the tamping hammer to move freely along its curved path while minimizing the horizontal space required. The curved trajectory naturally accommodates the hammer's motion requirements without needing excessive horizontal spacing, thus maintaining ease of operation while reducing overall machine dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
The compacting channel is positioned and configured to nest efficiently around the grinding container. The arcuate path allows the channel to closely follow the contour of the grinding container, maximizing space utilization and minimizing the distance between components while still providing adequate clearance for hammer movement.
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 arcuate configuration reduces the overall size of the machine, minimizing horizontal spacing and packaging costs while maintaining effective tamping performance.
Implementation Method 1
a tamping hammer slidably disposed within the arcuate powder compacting channel
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a coffee capsule machine, comprises a housing, a grinding unit disposed on the housing and including a grinding container, and an arcuate powder compacting unit. The arcuate powder compacting unit comprises an arcuate powder compacting channel extending upward from bottom to top, a tamping hammer slidably disposed within the arcuate powder compacting channel, and a driving mechanism configured to drive the tamping hammer to slide along the arcuate powder compacting channel. The arcuate powder compacting channel comprises, from top to bottom, a driving end, a transition section, and a powder outlet end. The powder outlet end is located below the grinding container, and the transition section is arranged to bypass the grinding container. This configuration results in a more compact internal layout within the housing, thereby reducing the overall size of the coffee capsule machine and lowering packaging and transportation costs.