Coffee Capsule Ejection Mechanism Using Dual Arc Recesses
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional coffee machines require manual removal of coffee packages after each use, leading to inconvenience and complex, voluminous mechanisms for automatic package removal.
Innovation Solution
A coffee machine with a simple structure and small volume, featuring a first mechanism with a horizontal arc-shaped recess and a second mechanism with a vertical arc-shaped recess, along with a torsion spring and gear portion, allowing for automatic package removal without additional auxiliary components, ensuring reliable sealing and efficient extraction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If a complex automatic package removal mechanism is added to the coffee machine, then the package removal automation is improved, but the device complexity and housing volume increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the package delivery function and package removal function into a single integrated mechanism. The first arc-shaped recess serves both to deliver the package from the inlet and to remove it from the chamber by combining both functions in one structural element, thereby reducing overall mechanism complexity while maintaining automation.
Solution Approach 2:
The first mechanism with the arc-shaped recess performs multiple functions: it delivers the coffee package into the chamber, seals the package during brewing, and removes the package after brewing. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate dedicated mechanisms for each operation, reducing device complexity while achieving full automation.
2Extent of automation
If a complex automatic package removal mechanism is added to the coffee machine, then the package removal automation is improved, but the housing volume increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the package delivery function and package removal function into a single integrated mechanism. The first arc-shaped recess serves both to deliver the package from the inlet and to remove it from the chamber by combining both functions in one structural element, thereby reducing overall mechanism complexity while maintaining automation.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanism utilizes vertical movement and rotation in addition to horizontal movement. The first mechanism rotates about a vertical axis and the second mechanism rotates about a horizontal axis, creating a three-dimensional operation space that efficiently uses the available housing volume and reduces the overall footprint required for automatic package removal.
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
Enables automatic and successful removal of coffee packages with reduced complexity and volume, enhancing user convenience and manufacturing efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a torsion spring which acts on the second mechanism to keep open ends of the second arc-shaped recess inclining upward
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 4~5
AI summary
The patent application relates to a coffee machine convenient for package removing including a housing (1) having a package inlet (11) and a package outlet (12). The coffee machine further includes a first mechanism (2) constrained in the housing (1) and moveable along the horizontal direction of the housing (1), a second mechanism (3) rotatably set in the housing (1) and capable of rotating in a vertical plane, and a torsion spring (5). The lower portion of the first mechanism (2) has a first arc-shaped recess, and the open ends of the first arc-shaped recess (21) incline downwardly. The upper portion of the second mechanism has a second arc-shaped recess (31), and the open ends of the second arc-shaped recess (31) incline upwardly and opposite to the package inlet (11) for the coffee package (4) having a circular edge to be laid thereon. The torsion spring (5) acts on the second mechanism (3) to keep the open ends of the second arc-shaped recess (31) inclining upwardly. The coffee package (4) is automatically removed through the movement of the first mechanism (2) and rotation of the second mechanism (31). The package (4) can be successfully removed without additional auxiliary components for jointly clamping the package (4). The structure is simpler, and the volume thereof is greatly reduced.