Capsule multi-piercing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beverage extraction systems face challenges in efficiently piercing capsules due to insufficient fluid circulation and the risk of crushing, especially with harder capsules and reduced packaging materials, which affects the flow distribution and mechanical strength.
Innovation Solution
A piercing device with multiple piercing elements arranged on different virtual planes, capable of forming a large number of inlet or outlet openings without crushing the capsule, using materials like metal, ceramic, or hard polymers, and designed to deform the capsule face without piercing, allowing for efficient fluid distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single piercing element is used, then the device structure is simple, but the fluid circulation is insufficient and the capsule may be crushed
Solution Approach 1:
The piercing device is divided into multiple piercing elements (at least two) arranged on different virtual piercing planes. Each piercing element creates separate openings in the capsule, enabling better fluid circulation through multiple pathways rather than a single opening, thus resolving the contradiction between device simplicity and fluid circulation efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The piercing elements are arranged on different virtual piercing planes (first plane and second plane), adding a dimensional aspect to the piercing structure. This multi-plane arrangement allows fluid to circulate through the capsule more effectively by creating openings at different depths and positions, improving fluid circulation without significantly increasing device complexity.
2Reliability
If multiple piercing elements are used, then the fluid circulation is improved, but the risk of capsule crushing increases
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the piercing action into multiple elements on different planes, the force distribution is optimized. Each piercing element applies force at a different location and depth, preventing concentration of stress that would cause crushing while still achieving effective fluid circulation through multiple openings.
Solution Approach 2:
Each piercing element is designed with specific local characteristics (different planes, different positions) to optimize the piercing action at each location. This local differentiation ensures that each element performs its function effectively while minimizing harmful effects on the capsule structure overall.
3Strength
If the capsule face is deformed without piercing, then the structural integrity is maintained, but the fluid flow distribution is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The capsule face is divided into multiple piercing locations across different virtual planes. This segmentation allows fluid to enter through multiple distributed openings rather than a single point, improving flow distribution throughout the capsule while maintaining overall structural integrity through controlled, localized piercings.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3a~3b
Figure 3c~3d
AI summary
A combination of a capsule extraction unit (1) and a capsule (20) includes a piercing device (10) for piercing the capsule. The piercing device has a plurality of piercing elements (11a, 11b, 11c, 11d). Each element has am extremity (12a, 12b, 12c1, 12c2, 12c3, 12c, 12d) arranged to pierce the capsule in a piercing direction (10'), such as a direction (10') generally parallel to a longitudinal axis (12a', 12b', 12c', 12d') of the piercing elements (11a, 11b, 11c, 11d).The extremities format corresponding locations (22', 22c1', 22c2', 22c3', 22c', 22d') of the capsule either a series of corresponding inlet openings or a series of corresponding outlet openings. The piercing extremities are spatially arranged relatively to the piercing locations to contact and penetrate the capsule at the piercing locations at different respective moments in time when the capsule and the piercing device are urged together in the piercing direction.