Infusion Cartridge Slide Mechanism for Reliable Insertion and Ejection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing coffee beverage machines lack a reliable and efficient mechanism for guided cartridge insertion, positioning, blocking during infusion, and ejection, often requiring complex mechanisms with many moving parts and large size.
Innovation Solution
A machine with an infusion assembly featuring a slide for single cartridge insertion, a lever-operated piston with defined resting and working positions, and a chamber with containment shoulders and a leaf spring for controlled cartridge handling, allowing guided insertion and ejection with minimal moving parts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If complex mechanisms are used for cartridge insertion, positioning, blocking and ejection, then reliability of cartridge handling is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple cartridge handling functions (insertion guidance, positioning, blocking during infusion, and ejection) into a single integrated slide mechanism. The slide simultaneously performs guidance during insertion, positioning against the chamber edge, blocking during infusion, and ejection upon piston movement, eliminating the need for separate mechanisms for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The slide is designed as a multi-functional component that serves multiple purposes: it guides cartridge insertion, positions the cartridge against the chamber edge, blocks the cartridge during infusion, and ejects the cartridge when moved by the piston. This universal component replaces what would traditionally require multiple specialized mechanisms.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple moving parts are used for cartridge handling, then functionality is improved, but device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple moving parts into a single slide component that performs all cartridge handling operations. Instead of having separate mechanisms for insertion, positioning, blocking, and ejection, the single slide integrates all these functions, significantly reducing the volume occupied by moving parts.
Solution Approach 2:
The slide serves as a universal component that performs multiple functions (guidance, positioning, blocking, ejection) that would traditionally require separate dedicated mechanisms, thereby reducing the overall machine size while maintaining full functionality.
3Device complexity
If simple devices are used for cartridge handling, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability of positioning and blocking deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The slide incorporates a specifically designed edge that locally provides precise positioning functionality. This edge is shaped and positioned to ensure the cartridge is accurately located against the chamber edge, providing high positioning reliability despite the overall simplicity of the mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The slide's geometry is designed to automatically guide and position the cartridge during insertion without requiring additional active control mechanisms. The cartridge self-aligns with the slide's guiding features and is automatically positioned against the chamber edge by the slide's edge, ensuring reliable positioning through passive geometric constraints.
4Device complexity
If manual operation is used, then device complexity is reduced, but productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanism is designed to be dynamically operable, allowing it to function effectively in both manual and automated modes. The slide can be moved manually by the user or automatically by a motorized actuator, and the piston can be driven manually or by an automated system, providing operational flexibility without requiring different mechanisms for each mode.
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
Enables reliable, efficient, and space-efficient preparation of coffee beverages by ensuring proper cartridge positioning and ejection, adaptable to various cartridge types, with the option for manual or automated operation.
Implementation Method 1
In rearward area thereof there is situated a leaf spring, or an elastic pusher means, for the cartridge (21)
Data Source
AI summary
A machine for the preparation of beverages by infusion using cartridges; the machine includes an infusion assembly; characterized in that the infusion assembly includes: a slide for introduction of a single cartridge; a lever for operation of a piston; the piston suitable to move rectilinearly along a direction and having a first resting position and a second working position; a chamber suitable for receiving the cartridge; the slide being positioned in an intermediate position between the first resting position and the second working position; the slide having a predefined resting position so that the capsule is positioned resting on an edge of the chamber.