Coffee Brewer Piston Drive Layout for Low-Noise Motion Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing coffee brewing devices, particularly bean to cup coffee makers, suffer from large volume and high noise emission due to the construction of their drive mechanisms, which include multiple gearwheels that cause radial vibrations and noise during operation.
Innovation Solution
A drive mechanism featuring a first gearwheel with an internal thread pivot-mounted on a guide cylinder, a second gearwheel that engages with the first, and a housing that prevents radial movement via a linear guide, along with a pivot bearing and metal plate coupling, to stabilize and reduce noise by minimizing radial vibrations and using noise-absorbing materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple gearwheels are used to drive the brewing piston, then the brewing device can achieve the required motion control, but the device generates high noise emissions due to radial vibrations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the intermediate gearwheels from the drive mechanism. Instead of using multiple gearwheels to transmit motion, the invention directly couples the drive motor to the brewing piston through a simplified mechanical connection, thereby removing the source of radial vibrations and noise while maintaining the required motion control
Solution Approach 2:
The patent inverts the traditional gearwheel-based approach by using a direct drive mechanism where the motor shaft is directly connected to the brewing piston rod. This inversion eliminates the need for intermediate transmission elements and their associated vibrations, achieving quiet operation while maintaining reliable motion control
2Reliability
If traditional drive mechanisms are used, then the brewing device can operate, but the device occupies a relatively large volume
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple separate components (drive motor, transmission mechanism, and piston assembly) into a compact integrated unit. The direct drive configuration allows the motor and piston rod to be closely coupled, eliminating the space required for intermediate gearwheels and their mounting structures, thereby reducing the overall device volume while maintaining operational reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a nested arrangement where the drive mechanism components are arranged concentrically or in overlapping configurations. The motor shaft, piston rod, and guiding elements are positioned to occupy overlapping spatial volumes, maximizing space utilization and minimizing the external dimensions of the brewing device
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 results in a compact, cost-efficient, and low-noise drive mechanism that reduces noise emissions and improves the stability of the brewing device, allowing for quieter operation and reduced vibrations.
Implementation Method 1
a first gearwheel (10, 10') defining an internal thread (11), via which the first gearwheel (10, 10') is pivot-mounted on an external thread (21) of a guide cylinder (20), so that the first gearwheel (10, 10') can be moved along a cylinder axis (22) of the guide cylinder (20) in response to a rotation
Implementation Method 2
a linear guide (80) for the housing (50), which linear guide (80) runs at a distance parallel to the cylinder axis (22) and by means of which the housing (50) is engaged in such a manner that a movement of the housing (50) opposite to the linear guide (80) in a radial direction to the cylinder axis (22) is prevented
Implementation Method 3
a pivot bearing (60) embodied between the housing (50) and the first gearwheel (10, 10'), said pivot bearing (60) preventing a radial movement of the housing (50) (within provided tolerances) opposite to the first gearwheel (10, 10')
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a drive for a coffee brewing device that includes a first gearwheel having an internal thread that is pivot-mounted to an external thread of a guide cylinder so that the first gearwheel can be moved along a cylinder axis of the guide cylinder in response to a rotation, a second gearwheel for driving the first gearwheel along the cylinder axis, a housing, and a brewing piston coupled to the housing so that the brewing piston and the first gearwheel can be moved along the cylinder axis. A linear guide running parallel to the cylinder axis is also provided for guiding the housing such that a movement of the housing opposite to the linear guide in a radial direction to the cylinder axis is prevented. An axis of rotation of the second gearwheel is arranged in a provided distance relative to the linear guide.