Detachable Coffee Infusion Group With Speed-Multiplied Grounds Ejection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional coffee machines have structural complexities due to the non-dismountable infusion cylinder, making maintenance and cleaning difficult, and result in bulkiness.

Innovation Solution

A compact and structurally simple infusion group for coffee machines featuring a detachable infusion cylinder with a speed multiplier mechanism and cam actuating means for efficient coffee powder loading and expulsion, allowing for reversible movement and easy access for maintenance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the infusion cylinder is made non-dismountable to simplify structure, then structural complexity is reduced, but maintenance and cleaning become difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural complexityVSAvoidmaintenance accessibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The infusion group is divided into separable components: the infusion cylinder (4) can be detached from the main body (6), and the closure piston (3) is a separate element. This segmentation allows the infusion cylinder to be removed for cleaning and maintenance while keeping the overall structure relatively simple when assembled.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of repair

If the infusion cylinder is made detachable to improve maintenance accessibility, then ease of repair is improved, but structural complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemaintenance accessibilityVSAvoidstructural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of repairVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The infusion cylinder (4) is designed as a detachable component that can be separated from the main body (6) for maintenance. The connection mechanism uses simple positioning elements and elastic members rather than complex fastening systems, achieving ease of maintenance with minimal structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If traditional infusion group structure is used, then functional reliability is maintained, but device bulkiness increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefunctional reliabilityVSAvoiddevice bulkiness
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The expulsion piston (29) is nested inside the infusion cylinder (4), and the speed multiplier mechanism components are arranged in a compact, space-efficient configuration within the main body (6). This nesting arrangement maintains functional reliability while reducing overall device bulkiness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The carrier (9) holding the infusion cylinder (4) is designed to rotate about an axis orthogonal to the translation axis, allowing the infusion cylinder to be positioned in different orientations. This dimensional flexibility enables compact arrangement of components, reducing device bulkiness while maintaining functional reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 enables a highly efficient, reliable, and easily maintainable infusion group that reduces bulkiness and simplifies the structural complexity of coffee machines, improving their operational efficiency and accessibility.

Implementation Method 1

The expulsion system has cam actuating means for actuation of the speed multiplier mechanism

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCam mechanism: Cam

Implementation Method 2

a speed multiplier mechanism operatively connecting the infusion cylinder (4) and the expulsion piston (29) for their relative displacement

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical advantage: Mechanical Advantage

Data Source

PatentEP2170131B1Coffee machine infusion group
Publication Date: 2013.04.10 DE LONGHI SPA
  • EP2170131B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2170131B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2170131B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The coffee machine infusion group comprises a closure piston (3) and an infusion cylinder (4) subjectable to a reversible movement between a position of engagement with the closure piston (3) for the creation of an infusion chamber (5) and a position of disengagement from the closure piston (3) for the loading of a coffee powder load (200), the infusion group having an expulsion system of the spent coffee powder load (200) from the infusion cylinder (4), the expulsion system comprising an expulsion piston (29) displaceably housed in the infusion cylinder (4), the expulsion system further comprising a speed multiplier mechanism operatively connecting the infusion cylinder (4) and the expulsion piston (29) for their relative displacement between a receiving position of the coffee powder load into the infusion cylinder (4) and an expelling position of the coffee powder load (200) from the infusion cylinder (4).