Motorized Brewing Unit Closure With Low-Power Capsule Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beverage machines require significant user intervention for capsule loading and ejection, posing safety risks and inefficiencies, especially in terms of manual force requirements and potential injuries during operation.
Innovation Solution
A motorized brewing machine with a low-power motor and transmission system that simplifies the closure mechanism, allowing for semi-automatic or automatic brewing, rinsing, and de-scaling modes, while reducing the risk of injuries through intelligent power control and safety features.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual operation is used to close the brewing unit, then device complexity is reduced, but ease of operation deteriorates due to significant user intervention required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical operation system with an automated motorized system. The motor (203) drives the movable holding part (207) through a transmission mechanism, eliminating the need for manual user intervention to close the brewing unit. This substitution directly improves ease of operation while accepting increased device complexity through the addition of motorized components.
2Extent of automation
If motorized operation is implemented, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional motor and control components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements motorization by introducing a motor (203) and transmission system to automatically drive the movable holding part (207). This increases the extent of automation from manual to motorized operation, enabling semi-automatic or automatic brewing modes while accepting the resulting increase in device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The motorized system enables the brewing unit to perform operations autonomously without continuous user intervention. The motor (203) automatically closes the brewing unit, and the control system manages brewing, rinsing, and de-scaling cycles, allowing the system to serve itself and reducing the need for user involvement.
3Reliability
If motor power is increased to ensure reliable closure, then reliability is improved, but use of energy worsens due to higher power consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the motor power parameters to achieve the minimum necessary power for reliable closure. By carefully selecting the motor power range (5-50W) and torque characteristics, the system ensures reliable operation while minimizing energy consumption. The transmission mechanism also provides mechanical advantage to amplify the motor's limited power output.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by using a low-power motor that provides just enough force for reliable closure without excessive power. The motor is sized to deliver the minimum necessary torque and power (5-50W range) to move the movable holding part, avoiding the energy waste that would result from using an oversized high-power motor.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If safety features are added to prevent injuries, then safety is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional sensors and control systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms through the control system (201) that monitors motor operation and detects abnormal conditions. The system uses current monitoring and operational feedback to identify potential safety issues such as obstructions or malfunctions, automatically responding by stopping or reversing motor operation to prevent user injury.
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A motorized beverage machine (1) has: - activation means that comprise a motor (3); and - a brewing unit (2) that comprises a first assembly (13) and a second assembly (14) cooperating together, each assembly delimiting part of a brewing chamber (29) for containing an ingredient capsule (30). At least one of these assemblies (14) is: - movable away from the cooperating assembly (13) into an open position within the machine for forming between the assemblies a passage (31) for inserting into and/or removing from the brewing unit the ingredient capsule; and - movable to the cooperating assembly into a closed position for forming the brewing chamber. The motor is a low power motor configured to: - generate a maximum torque of no more than 50 mNm; and/or - consume a maximum power of no more than 50 W, for driving the movable assembly between the open and closed positions.