Coffee Machine Pump Support with Damping Region to Reduce Vibration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Coffee machines for household use experience excessive vibration and noise due to inadequate damping of the vibration pump, leading to mechanical component damage and premature failure.
Innovation Solution
A coffee machine design featuring a pair of pump supports with a damping region and lightening holes to absorb and reduce vibrations, comprising a base portion, support portion, and connecting portion with a damping region and reinforcing ribs, which are made from a polymer material like EPDM, to effectively dampen the vibrations of the vibration pump.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a vibration pump is used in a coffee machine for household use, then the machine size can be reduced compared to rotary pump machines, but excessive vibrations and noise are generated that cause mechanical component damage
Solution Approach 1:
A damping support structure is introduced as an intermediary element between the vibration pump and the machine body. This support comprises a damping region made of elastomeric material that mediates the vibration transmission, absorbing harmful vibrations and noise while allowing the compact pump design to remain effective.
Solution Approach 2:
The damping support structure converts the harmful vibrations generated by the vibration pump into beneficial vibration absorption. The elastomeric material in the damping region dissipates the pump's oscillations through internal friction and hysteresis, transforming the harmful mechanical energy into heat while protecting the machine body and components.
2Strength
If the pump supports are made rigid to maintain structural integrity, then torsional strength is improved, but vibrations are transferred more strongly to the machine body causing component failure
Solution Approach 1:
The pump support structure is designed as a composite system combining rigid portions (for maintaining torsional strength and structural integrity) and elastomeric damping regions (for absorbing vibrations and protecting components). This composite approach allows the support to simultaneously provide mechanical strength and vibration isolation.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the pump support are assigned different material properties: the base portion and support portion use rigid materials for structural strength, while the connecting portion incorporates elastomeric damping material for vibration absorption. This local differentiation of material quality allows the single component to fulfill multiple functions.
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 design significantly reduces vibrations by up to 35-60% and noise levels, enhances torsional strength, and makes the machine quieter and lighter, while maintaining structural integrity.
Implementation Method 1
each support (40) comprises a base portion (41), a support portion (42) and a connecting portion (43) comprising a damping region (431)
Implementation Method 2
The vibration pumps mounted on coffee machines for household use vibrate and oscillate at a frequency of about 35-70 Hz. Furthermore, in addition to the vibration pump, the pump group according to the prior art comprise a hollow shaft
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a coffee machine (1) for household use which comprises: a machine body (2), a pump group (3) and a pair of pump supports (4). In particular, the pump group (3) comprises a vibration pump (31) and a hollow shaft (32) onto which such a vibration pump is mounted (31). The pair of pump supports (4) comprises two supports (40) axially spaced along the shaft axis (X-X) and engaged with the hollow shaft (32) to support the pump group (3). Each support (40) comprises: a base portion (41), a support portion (42) and a connecting portion (43). The base portion (41) is engaged with the machine body (2), the support portion (42) extends on a support plane (S) orthogonal to the shaft axis (X-X) and a shaft engagement hole (421) is obtained in said support portion (42); finally, the connection portion (43) is engaged with both the base portion (41) and the support portion (42). The connecting portion (43) further comprises a damping region (431) which extends over an inclined plane (I) and incident to the support plane (S).