Fully automatic coffee machine having impeller drives
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fully automatic coffee machines for household use face challenges in designing a system that can efficiently drive multiple units with different rotation requirements, such as brewing units needing two directions of rotation and grinders operating in one direction, while existing solutions are complex and require clutches or brakes for selection.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an epicyclic gear as a transfer case with a freewheel and lock mechanism allows for selective activation of units by changing the motor's direction of rotation, eliminating the need for clutches or brakes and simplifying the design by decoupling drive power between units based on rotation direction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If clutches or brakes are used to selectively drive different units, then the ability to select which unit is driven is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The drive system is segmented into multiple independent output shafts from the epicyclic gear, each capable of being selectively engaged or disengaged. This allows different units (brewing unit, grinder) to be driven independently without requiring complex clutch or brake mechanisms for each selection, as the segmentation of power distribution paths enables straightforward selective activation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the motor direction of rotation is changed to select units, then the adaptability to drive different units is improved, but the control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The epicyclic gear system provides dynamic power distribution where the motor rotates in a single direction, but the internal mechanism dynamically routes power to different output shafts based on which unit needs to be driven. This dynamic internal routing eliminates the need for external direction reversal or complex control systems, as the gear mechanism itself adaptively directs power flow.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple transmission outputs are used in the epicyclic gear, then the ability to drive multiple units simultaneously is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The epicyclic gear transmission is designed with multiple output shafts that can serve different units (brewing unit, grinder) simultaneously or alternatively. This multi-functional transmission design allows a single gear mechanism to handle multiple driving tasks, reducing the overall system complexity compared to having separate transmissions for each unit, while maintaining ease of manufacture through standardized gear components.
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 solution enables efficient and selective control of both brewing and grinding units with minimal mechanical effort, reducing manufacturing costs and enhancing user convenience by allowing the same motor to drive units with different drive characteristics without the need for complex control systems.
Implementation Method 1
an epicyclic gear for distributing the drive energy of the motor to the consumers with exactly one gear input and at least two gear outputs
Implementation Method 2
an output-side freewheel between the epicyclic gear and at least one unit
Implementation Method 3
an output-side lock or a two-way lock between the epicyclic gear and at least one unit
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
The invention relates to a fully automatic coffee machine for household purposes with a brewing unit (2) as a first unit, with at least one further unit, preferably a grinder (3), with a motor (1) and with a planetary gear (4) for distributing the drive energy of the motor (1) on the aggregates (2; 3), with exactly one gear input and at least two gear outputs (6; 7) of the epicyclic gear (4), whose gear input is rigidly connected to the single shaft (5) of the engine (1) and whose gear outputs ( 6; 7) are each coupled to a unit (2; 3).