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 move 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 different 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 actuated to feed beans from different containers, but the operating handle cannot be switched to the end position when the shutter is blocked by beans, leading to incorrect indication of the selected container
Solution Approach 1:
The operating handle is separated into two independent components: the shutter mechanism and the indication mechanism. The shutter can be actuated to feed beans while the operating handle continues to rotate freely even when blocked, allowing the selected container to be indicated correctly without being constrained by shutter blockages.
Solution Approach 2:
The indication function is extracted from the shutter mechanism and assigned to the operating handle independently. This allows the handle to perform its indication function without being affected by the shutter's blocking condition, ensuring the selected container is always accurately indicated.
2Reliability
If the shutter is actuated to close a storage container, then beans from the deselected container are prevented from flowing, but bean blockages prevent the shutter from reaching the end position, causing user doubt about selection effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The operating handle provides visual feedback to the user by rotating to a specific position that indicates which container is selected. This feedback mechanism remains reliable even when the shutter is blocked by beans, as the handle's position is not constrained by the shutter's physical limitations, thereby maintaining user confidence in the selection.
Solution Approach 2:
The selection indication function is segmented from the physical shutter closure function. The operating handle independently indicates the selected container through its rotational position, providing clear feedback to the user without being affected by whether the shutter has fully closed or is blocked by beans.
3Measurement precision
If the lever is fixedly connected to the shutter, then the lever actuates the shutter movement, but the lever cannot reach the desired position when the shutter is blocked, leading to incorrect indication
Solution Approach 1:
The lever is separated from the shutter, creating two independent mechanisms: the shutter for physical bean feeding and the lever for position indication. The lever can rotate freely to its desired position to accurately indicate the selected container, while the shutter independently performs the bean feeding function without constraining the lever's movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The position indication function is extracted from the shutter mechanism and assigned to the lever independently. This allows the lever to accurately indicate the selected container position without being constrained by the shutter's blocking condition, ensuring precise indication even when beans block the shutter.
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
Ensures accurate indication of the selected storage container, preventing user doubt and maintaining the functionality of the selector unit despite potential bean blockages.
Implementation Method 1
a cam-follower engaged with a shutter cam portion for moving the shutter in the different positions
Data Source
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.