Fully automatic coffee machine having a spindle brewing unit

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fully automatic coffee machine spindle brewing units require complex and costly housings to stabilize the threaded spindle and brewing chamber, as they experience tilting moments and uneven force distribution during the brewing process.

Innovation Solution

The threaded spindle is mounted at one end with a fixed radial-axial bearing, which absorbs all translational movements and tilting moments, allowing the opposite end to have a less efficient bearing, reducing the overall housing complexity and cost by distributing forces evenly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If the threaded spindle is mounted at both ends in the housing with distributed force support, then the stability of the spindle is improved, but the housing complexity and manufacturing cost increase due to requiring additional sliding guides and rigid structure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestability of threaded spindleVSAvoidhousing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the bearing support function into two segments: a fixed bearing at one end that absorbs all translational movements and tilting moments, and a simpler bearing at the opposite end. This segmentation allows the housing to be less complex while maintaining spindle stability, as the fixed bearing handles the majority of stabilizing forces

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different bearing qualities at different locations along the threaded spindle. One end receives a fixed bearing with high stability for absorbing tilting moments and translational movements, while the opposite end receives a less efficient bearing. This local differentiation optimizes the housing structure by concentrating rigidity where needed and reducing complexity where forces are minimal

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Device complexity

If the fixed bearing is positioned closer to the brewing chamber, then the force flow path is shortened and moments are reduced, but the bearing must absorb all translational movements and tilting moments at a single location

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehousing structure simplicityVSAvoidload on fixed bearing
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The fixed bearing merges multiple functions into a single component: it supports radial loads, axial loads, and tilting moments, while also providing a fixed reference point for the threaded spindle. This consolidation of functions at one location simplifies the housing structure by eliminating the need for distributed support mechanisms like sliding guides

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3016555B1Fully automatic coffee machine having a spindle brewing unit
Publication Date: 2017.11.15 BSH HAUSGERATE GMBH
  • EP3016555B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3016555B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3016555B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a fully automatic coffee machine (1) for domestic purposes, comprising a spindle brewing unit (5). The spindle brewing unit has a brewing device (10), which consists of a brewing chamber (11) and a brewing plunger (13), and a threaded spindle (7) for driving the brewing chamber (11) by means of a connecting arm (15) of the brewing chamber (11) as a spindle nut. The brewing device (10) is arranged laterally adjacent to the threaded spindle (7). The housing (8) is used to support the brewing device (10) and the threaded spindle (7). The fully automatic coffee machine is further developed in that the threaded spindle (7) is supported in the housing (8) at only one end (71) by means of a fixed bearing (20).