Mechanical Pod Ejection Cam for Leak-Free Beverage Brewers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beverage flavoring pod ejection systems, such as those using electro-mechanical solenoids, face issues with residue buildup and sticking, leading to failed pod ejection and coffee weeping due to insufficient spring loading for sealing.
Innovation Solution
A mechanical slope cam construction is employed to eject the waste pod, eliminating the need for electro-mechanical solenoids and allowing increased spring pressure for improved sealing and ejection efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an electro-mechanical solenoid is used to eject the pod, then pod ejection can be achieved, but residue buildup causes the solenoid shaft to stick and seize, leading to system failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the electro-mechanical solenoid from the system entirely and replaces it with a purely mechanical spring-loaded ejection system. This extraction of the problematic solenoid component eliminates the source of residue buildup and sticking, thereby resolving the reliability issue caused by harmful factors.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the electro-mechanical solenoid system with a simpler mechanical spring-based ejection mechanism. This substitution eliminates complex electrical components that are susceptible to residue contamination, using only mechanical elements that are easier to clean and maintain.
2Ease of operation
If the lower head is moved to pod disposal position for ejection, then pod removal is intended, but the seized solenoid prevents effective striking of the ejection disc
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs a mechanical ejection system that is self-actuating through the movement of the lower head itself. As the lower head rotates to the disposal position, the mechanical geometry of the system automatically triggers the ejection action through a cam or lever mechanism, eliminating the need for an external solenoid actuator that could seize and fail.
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 mechanical slope cam system effectively removes waste pods without residue buildup and enhances sealing during brewing, preventing coffee weeping and ensuring reliable pod ejection.
Implementation Method 1
a spring loaded stem construction that is intended to hold the support disc tightly to a sealing o-ring within the chamber
Implementation Method 2
A mechanical slope cam construction is employed to eject the waste pod
Data Source
AI summary
A mechanical waste pod ejector system for a single cup pod beverage flavoring machine that has a lower head with a holding chamber therein, for holding a pod during a flavoring operation, which head mechanically ejects the pod after usage. The system includes a pod ejector mechanism, a pod support plate sized to engage the pod, and actuator head, with a pod ejector controller including a cam slide surface for moving the lower head from a flavoring position to a pod disposal position.