Beverage Pump Support Assembly for Housing Vibration Damping

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Solution Overview

Problem

Beverage preparation machines experience vibrations from oscillating or rotational movements of pumps, which are transmitted to the housing, affecting the quality and operational feel of the device and other components.

Innovation Solution

An elastic support member, such as a bellow-shaped or leaf spring, is used to mount the pump within the housing, absorbing vibrations through deformability around multiple flexion axes, and an elastic sealing member is connected to the rigid duct to prevent vibration transmission.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a pump with oscillating or rotational movement is used to promote liquid, then liquid flow is improved, but vibrations are generated and transmitted to the housing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveliquid flowVSAvoidvibrations
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

An elastic support member is introduced as an intermediary element between the pump and the housing. This support member absorbs and dampens vibrations generated by the pump's oscillating or rotational movement, preventing their transmission to the housing while allowing the pump to maintain its liquid-promoting function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The physical state of the support structure is changed from rigid to elastic. By using an elastic support member with appropriate material properties (viscoelasticity, damping characteristics), the system transforms the way vibrations are handled, converting harmful vibrational energy into heat through internal friction within the elastic material.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Stability of the object's composition

If the pump is rigidly mounted to the housing, then structural stability is improved, but vibrations are transmitted to the housing and other components

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidvibration transmission
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The rigid support structure is replaced with an elastic support member that exhibits flexible mechanical behavior. This elastic element can deform under vibrational loads, absorbing energy through elastic deformation and viscous damping, thereby maintaining structural stability while preventing vibration transmission.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The support member is made from composite or viscoelastic materials that combine rigidity for structural support with damping properties for vibration absorption. These materials exhibit both elastic solid and viscous fluid characteristics, allowing them to maintain structural integrity while dissipating vibrational energy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Object-generated harmful factors

If vibrations are reduced by isolating the pump, then vibration transmission is improved, but pump movement flexibility may be reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevibration transmissionVSAvoidpump movement flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The support system transitions from a static rigid connection to a dynamic elastic connection. The elastic support member can adapt its stiffness and damping characteristics based on the operating conditions, allowing sufficient pump movement flexibility for liquid promotion while effectively isolating vibrations at different frequencies and amplitudes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 solution effectively dampens and absorbs vibrations, preventing their transmission to the housing and enhancing pump movement flexibility, thereby improving the operational stability and efficiency of the beverage preparation device.

Implementation Method 1

The elastic support member is arranged to absorb vibrations from the vibrating pump chamber

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVibration absorption: Damping

Implementation Method 2

The elastic support member can be arranged to be deformable around a plurality of flexion axes to absorb vibrations

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Implementation Method 3

The elastic support member and elastic sealing member are preferably arranged to inhibit transmission of vibrations from the pump chamber

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVibration absorption: Damping

Data Source

PatentEP2296515B1Pump for liquid beverage preparation devices
Publication Date: 2012.07.18 NESTEC SA
  • EP2296515B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2296515B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2296515B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~4b

AI summary

The present invention proposes in a first aspect a device for the preparation of a liquid food or beverage, said device comprising: a housing (20), a pump (1), a pump support (7) securing the vibrating pump (1) to the housing (20), a rigid duct (8) that is connected by means of an elastic sealing member (10) to the housing and to an inlet (4a) or an outlet (4b) of the pump (1), wherein the pump support (7) comprises an elastic support member (7a) for resiliently supporting the vibrating pump chamber (2) in the housing (20). In a second aspect, the invention proposes a device for the preparation of a liquid food or beverage, the device comprising a pre-suction chamber (14) connected to a liquid inlet (4a) of a pump (1) and being designed to intermittently provide liquid to said liquid inlet (4a). In a third aspect, the invention proposes a device for the preparation of a liquid food or beverage, the device comprising a connector (9) which comprises at least one elastic sealing member (10) designed to absorb vibrations from a pump (1) of the device and to enable a relative movement of a duct (8) and a liquid inlet (4a) or outlet (4b) of the pump (1).