Selector unit and coffee machine
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Solution Overview
Problem
Coffee machine selector mechanisms often fail to correctly indicate the selected storage container due to bean blockages, leading to user uncertainty about the quality of the coffee beverage being brewed.
Innovation Solution
A selector unit with a separately formed lever that can be moved independently of the shutter, allowing it to indicate the selected position correctly even if the shutter is blocked by beans, featuring a cam-follower system and spring elements for precise movement and latching in predefined positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the shutter is fixedly connected to the operating handle for actuation, then the shutter can be reliably actuated to close storage containers, but the operating handle cannot correctly indicate the selected storage container when the shutter is blocked by beans
Solution Approach 1:
The operating mechanism is divided into two independent components: the shutter for closing storage containers and the operating handle for indication. The handle is formed separately from the shutter and can move independently, allowing it to always reach its end position to correctly indicate the selected storage container even when the shutter is blocked by beans.
Solution Approach 2:
A cam mechanism acts as an intermediary between the handle and shutter. The cam is engaged by a cam follower on the shutter and is actuated by the handle, allowing the handle to move independently while still controlling the shutter. This intermediary mechanism decouples the indication function from the shutter position, resolving the contradiction between reliable shutter closing and accurate selection indication.
2Device complexity
If the shutter is directly actuated by the operating handle, then the mechanism is simple, but bean blockages prevent the shutter from reaching its end position
Solution Approach 1:
The cam mechanism serves as an intermediary that allows the handle to actuate the shutter indirectly. The cam follower on the shutter engages with the cam, which is actuated by the handle through a linkage mechanism. This intermediary arrangement allows the handle to move freely to indicate selection while the cam translates this motion into shutter closing action, ensuring the shutter can overcome bean blockages to reach its end position.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanism introduces dynamic elements including the movable cam, cam follower, and linkage system that allow for adaptive motion transmission. The cam can rotate and the follower can maintain contact while accommodating variations in shutter position, enabling reliable end-position achievement even when beans block the shutter path.
3Volume of moving object
If the handle is fixedly connected to the shutter, then the structure is compact, but the handle position is influenced by shutter blockage
Solution Approach 1:
The handle is formed as a separate component from the shutter, allowing independent movement. The handle is connected to the shutter through a cam and linkage mechanism rather than direct fixed connection, enabling the handle to always reach its full stroke to accurately indicate the selected storage container regardless of shutter position or bean blockages.
Solution Approach 2:
The cam and linkage mechanism act as intermediaries between the handle and shutter, decoupling their positional relationships. The handle can move through its full range of motion to provide accurate selection indication while the cam translates this motion to the shutter independently, ensuring handle position accuracy is not influenced by shutter blockage.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a selector unit (10) for selectively feeding beans (20), in particular coffee beans, from a plurality of storage containers (16, 18) to an outlet opening (22). The selector unit comprises a shutter (26) associated to the outlet opening, wherein the shutter is movably mounted and movable in at least two different positions for feeding the beans from at least one selected storage container of the plurality of storage containers to the outlet opening. The selector unit further comprises a lever (30) including an actuation portion (36, 38) associated to the shutter for actuating the shutter in order to move the shutter in the at least two different positions, wherein the lever is formed separately from the shutter and movable with respect to the shutter.