Retractable Flap Ejection for Sealed Coffee Infusion Chambers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing coffee machine ejection devices interfere with the infusion chamber's sealing and kinematics, and are not suitable for compact designs or low manufacturing costs, especially when handling hot and humid infused products like ground coffee.
Innovation Solution
A retractable flap ejection device mounted on a horizontally sliding plate with an actuation mechanism that moves the ejection member back from the chamber in the closed position, allowing the flap to engage and eject the infused product without interfering with the infusion process, ensuring perfect sealing and efficient product removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a hook ejection device is used to eject capsules, then the ejection function is achieved, but the sealing of the chamber is compromised and the device interferes with product placement
Solution Approach 1:
The ejection device is extracted from the chamber interior and relocated to the exterior of the chamber. The ejection member is positioned outside the chamber in the closed position, eliminating interference with sealing and product placement while maintaining automatic ejection capability through a flap mechanism that engages with the product.
Solution Approach 2:
A retractable flap is introduced as an intermediary element between the ejection member and the infused product. The flap can extend to engage and eject the product, then retract to clear the chamber opening, enabling automatic ejection without the ejection member directly interfering with chamber sealing or product placement.
2Ease of operation
If a tilting chamber mechanism is used for ejection, then the ejection function is achieved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The ejection function is segmented from the chamber structure. Instead of tilting the entire chamber, only a separate ejection member with a flap is moved horizontally to perform ejection. This segmentation simplifies the chamber mechanism while maintaining automatic ejection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The ejection member is designed with a dynamically retractable flap that can extend and retract as needed. This dynamic element provides the necessary ejection action without requiring complex tilting mechanisms, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining functionality.
3Productivity
If the ejection member is positioned close to the chamber for ejection, then the ejection efficiency is improved, but the sealing and product placement are interfered with
Solution Approach 1:
The ejection member operates in a different spatial dimension relative to the chamber. Instead of being positioned inside or directly adjacent to the chamber, the ejection member is located horizontally outside the chamber and uses a retractable flap to reach the product, enabling efficient ejection without compromising sealing or product placement.
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 maintains chamber tightness and allows for efficient ejection of infused products without user manipulation, optimizing space and reducing manufacturing costs by minimizing the number of parts and using elastic energy for controlled ejection movements.
Implementation Method 1
the actuating mechanism is capable of placing the ejection member set back from the first and second parts of the chamber in the closed position, and to be controlled during the transition from the closed position to the open position of the first and second parts of the infusion chamber
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3~4
AI summary
The machine has an ejection device (30) for ejecting a quantity of brewed product and comprising a retractable flap (40) mounted on an ejection unit (31). The flap is movable between a retracted position in which the flap extends against the ejection unit and an engagement position in which the flap projects from the ejection unit. An actuating mechanism (50) controls the passage of two parts of an infusion chamber (10). The flap is in contact with the product during forward displacement of the unit (31) and drives the product outside the chamber during return displacement of the unit (31).