Rotating stirring device for beverage preparation machine equipped with coupling sleeve
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rotary stirring devices in beverage preparation machines face challenges with intuitive coupling and detachment of tubular parts from the drive shaft, leading to potential leaks and assembly issues due to the complexity of the coupling device.
Innovation Solution
A simplified coupling mechanism where the tubular part fits inside the drive shaft via a flexible sleeve, allowing easy assembly and disassembly, with a conical sleeve design for secure adhesion and sealing, and a flange system for rotational blocking, ensuring reliable operation and leak prevention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a coupling device is used to connect the tubular part to the drive shaft, then the connection can be made removable for cleaning purposes, but the assembly and removal process becomes non-intuitive and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible sleeve made of elastomeric material that envelops the drive shaft. This flexible shell allows the tubular part to be easily assembled by sliding over the drive shaft and removed by pulling, providing an intuitive and simple operation while maintaining removable connection capability for cleaning purposes.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible sleeve acts as an intermediary element between the tubular part and the drive shaft. It mediates the connection by providing both adhesion through friction and sealing against hot water and steam pressure, simplifying the coupling mechanism while enabling easy assembly and disassembly.
2Reliability
If a complex coupling device is used to secure the tubular part, then the connection may be more secure, but the device complexity increases and manipulation becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible elastomeric sleeve provides a simple yet reliable connection structure. Its flexibility allows it to conform to the drive shaft while its frictional adhesion and sealing properties ensure secure connection without complex mechanical fasteners or multi-component coupling devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes changes in material properties - specifically the elastomeric nature of the sleeve material - to achieve both simplicity and reliability. The material's inherent friction and elasticity provide secure adhesion and sealing without requiring complex structural designs.
3Ease of operation
If the coupling device is simplified for easy assembly, then the ease of operation improves, but the sealing capability against hot water and steam pressure may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible elastomeric sleeve inherently provides sealing capability through its material properties. The elastomeric material conforms to the drive shaft surface and resists deformation under hot water and steam pressure, maintaining sealing integrity while allowing simple slide-on assembly without complex sealing mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs elastomeric material for the sleeve that combines multiple properties: flexibility for easy assembly, high friction for adhesion, and elastic recovery for sealing under pressure. This composite material approach achieves both operational simplicity and reliable sealing against hot water and steam.
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 provides a user-friendly and leak-proof connection between the tubular part and drive shaft, enhancing the operational efficiency and ease of cleaning of the rotary stirring device in beverage preparation machines.
Implementation Method 1
The flexibility of the sleeve advantageously allows its elastic deformation during fitting of the drive shaft therein, which ensures adhesion and sealing between the sleeve and the drive shaft.
Implementation Method 2
the sleeve comprises a conical part which deforms elastically as the drive shaft passes
Implementation Method 3
which makes it possible to have a friction surface for the sleeve on the shaft. sufficient drive to ensure the rotational drive of said sleeve by the drive shaft
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4~8
AI summary
The invention relates to a rotary stirring device (6) for a beverage preparation machine (1). The device comprises a tool (7) rotating about an axis A and intended to stir a preparation contained in a container, and a conduit (24) for supplying hot water and/or steam to the rotary tool. The conduit has a tubular portion (20) extending along the axis A between a lower end (22) coupled to the rotary tool by means of a first coupling device and an upper end (23) coupled to a drive shaft (12) by means of a second coupling device. The second coupling device includes a flexible tubular sleeve (25) extending along the axis A and allowing the tubular portion (20) to be removably attached to the drive shaft (12) by means of a push-fit connection.