Coffee Capsule Lever-Driven Mounting Structure for Sealed Extraction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Coffee capsule mounting and removal structures in existing coffee extracting apparatuses fail to properly seal the receiving portion, leading to contamination and leakage of liquid coffee, especially when high-pressure hot water is used, which degrades the hygiene and efficiency of the system.

Innovation Solution

A coffee capsule mounting and removal structure that utilizes a housing cover and link members to open and close the upper portion of the receiving portion, ensuring a sealed environment through a lever member and link mechanism, with additional sealing members to prevent leakage and contamination.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a configuration for mounting and removing coffee capsules is provided in the receiving portion, then coffee capsules can be easily mounted and removed, but the receiving portion cannot be properly sealed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of mounting and removing coffee capsulesVSAvoidsealing performance of receiving portion
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The coffee extracting apparatus is divided into two functional parts: the receiving portion for coffee extraction and the ejection portion for capsule removal. The receiving portion is sealed during extraction, while the ejection portion provides access for removing used capsules. This segmentation allows both sealing reliability and ease of operation to be achieved in their respective zones.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A dedicated ejection portion acts as an intermediary mechanism between the sealed receiving portion and the user. This intermediate structure allows capsule removal without compromising the seal of the receiving portion, as the ejection portion can be opened independently for removal operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If high pressure hot water is supplied to the coffee capsule, then coffee taste is improved, but liquid coffee is discharged outwardly through the mounting/removal space

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoffee extraction qualityVSAvoidliquid coffee leakage
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The apparatus separates the high-pressure extraction zone (receiving portion with sealed lid) from the capsule access zone (ejection portion). This segmentation contains the high-pressure liquid coffee within the sealed receiving portion, preventing leakage while maintaining extraction quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses disposable coffee capsules that are sealed within the receiving portion during extraction. The capsules are disposed of after single use, eliminating the need for repeated sealing and opening operations that could cause leakage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Ease of operation

If the receiving portion is opened for capsule mounting/removal, then capsule access is enabled, but liquid coffee remains and contaminates the receiving portion

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccess to coffee capsuleVSAvoidcontamination of receiving portion
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The receiving portion and ejection portion are segmented as separate functional zones. The receiving portion maintains its seal during extraction, and the ejection portion handles capsule removal. This segmentation prevents contamination by keeping the sealed extraction zone isolated from opening/closing operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses a lever-operated ejection mechanism that automatically opens the ejection portion for capsule removal and closes it afterward. This mechanical automation ensures the receiving portion remains sealed and uncontaminated while providing easy capsule access through the separate ejection portion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 structure allows for easy mounting and removal of coffee capsules while maintaining a sealed environment, preventing liquid coffee from leaking and contaminating the receiving portion, thus enhancing hygiene and operational efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

a driving unit including a lever member and a plurality of link members, configured to allow the housing cover to be rotated by the action of the link members according to an operation of the lever member

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLever: Lever

Data Source

PatentEP2918198B1Coffee capsule mounting and removal structure
Publication Date: 2020.01.08 COWAY CO LTD
  • EP2918198B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2918198B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2918198B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Disclosed is a coffee capsule mounting and removal structure in which the upper portion of a receiving portion that is formed in a capsule housing is configured to be opened and closed by a housing cover so that a coffee capsule is received using a lever member and a plurality of link members. The coffee capsule mounting and removal structure according to one embodiment of the present invention, includes: a capsule housing 200 in which a receiving portion 210 is formed so that a coffee capsule (CA), in which coffee grounds is placed in a sealed manner, is received, wherein said housing is configured such that the liquid coffee generated in the coffee capsule (CA) is discharged to the outside; a housing cover 300 is configured to be hingedly coupled to the capsule housing 200 so as to cover an open upper portion of the receiving portion 210; and a driving unit 400 that has a lever member 410 and a plurality of link members 420, 430, and 440, which is configured such that the housing cover 300 is rotated by the action of the link members 420, 430, and 440 according to the operation of the lever member 410 so as to open or close the upper portion of the receiving portion 210.