Coffee Pod Infusion Group With Self-Returning Carriage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing infusion groups for coffee machines often experience jamming issues when used pods fall between the carriage and mobile infusor during the return movement, leading to operational inefficiencies and potential damage.
Innovation Solution
The infusion group features a pod-holder carriage that moves independently between insertion and release positions, with automatic return mechanisms, including elastic elements and guide slots, to ensure the pod is expelled into a collection tray without manual intervention, preventing jamming and simplifying the structure for compactness and efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the carriage returns to the starting position manually or with assistance from the mobile infusor, then the structure can be simpler, but the pod may fall between the carriage and infusor causing jamming
Solution Approach 1:
The carriage is equipped with an automatic return mechanism that uses elastic elements to self-return to the starting position without manual intervention or assistance from the mobile infusor. This self-service mechanism ensures the pod is reliably ejected into the collection tray while maintaining structural simplicity.
2Extent of automation
If the carriage is held in the advanced position by manual action, then automatic return is achieved, but the operation becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic elements attached to the carriage create a self-returning mechanism that automatically returns the carriage to the starting position after pod ejection, achieving full automation without complex control systems or manual intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
Elastic elements serve as an intermediary mechanism between the carriage and the frame, storing and releasing energy to automatically return the carriage to its initial position without requiring complex mechanical linkages or electronic controls.
3Productivity
If the pod is released into the infusion chamber during carriage return, then the process is continuous, but the pod gets caught causing operational failures
Solution Approach 1:
The carriage is designed to complete the pod ejection action before beginning its return journey. The elastic elements are pre-loaded to ensure the carriage returns immediately after pod release, preventing any overlap between pod ejection and carriage return that could cause jamming.
Solution Approach 2:
The dispensing cycle is segmented into distinct phases: pod insertion, pod ejection, and carriage return. By separating these actions in time and space, the invention prevents the pod from being caught between the carriage and infusor while maintaining continuous operational flow.
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
This design ensures automatic and jam-free operation, reducing maintenance needs and manufacturing costs, while ensuring precise alignment and operation of the infusors, enhancing the overall functionality and durability of the coffee machine.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic element (18) attached to the carriage and to the frame so as to be placed under tension during advancement of the carriage towards the infusion chamber and release of the pod into the chamber
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 5~7
AI summary
The present invention relates to an infusion group (1), for example for coffee machines of the type functioning with pods or capsules (25) containing aromatic essences, comprising a female infusor (3) defining an infusion chamber (4) able to accommodate a pod (25) for the production of an infused drink, a male infusor (5) mobile in relation to the female infusor (3) to close said chamber at least partially (4), a pod-holder carriage (6) moveable between a rearward position of inserting the pod (25) in a respective seat (15) made in the carriage and a forward position of releasing the pod (25) into the infusion chamber (4). Return mechanisms (18), are associated with the pod-holder carriage, able to return the carriage to the first position automatically upon reaching the second position, regardless of the position of the mobile infusor.