Rotational Seal Installation Tool for Coffee Machine Injection Groups
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for installing or removing seals in coffee machine injection groups are time-consuming, require the machine to cool down, and pose a risk of burns to the operator, especially due to the need for manual handling and difficult access.
Innovation Solution
A seal installation/removal device with an elongate body, radial handle, and series of lugs with inclined helical ramps allows for rotational movement to facilitate quick and burn-free seal installation and removal without waiting for the coffee machine to cool down, featuring a revolving plate for seal positioning and anchoring members for secure engagement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual installation/removal method is used, then operator can perform the operation, but the operation is time-consuming and requires cooling down the machine
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a specialized installation tool as an intermediary device between the operator and the seal. This tool includes a body with lugs that engage with corresponding lugs on the shower rose, a handle for gripping, and a plate for receiving the seal. The intermediary tool enables rapid seal installation by providing mechanical leverage and proper positioning, eliminating the time-consuming manual processes and cooling requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The installation tool incorporates dynamic elements including a revolving plate that can rotate to receive and position the seal, and lugs with inclined helical ramps that convert rotational motion into axial displacement. When the body is driven in rotation about its longitudinal axis, the inclined ramps engage with complementary surfaces on the shower rose lugs, automatically advancing the seal into the grooves during the installation process.
2Ease of operation
If manual installation/removal method is used, then operator can perform the operation, but there is a risk of burns due to high temperature
Solution Approach 1:
The installation tool serves as a thermal intermediary, allowing the operator to work on the hot shower rose without direct hand contact. The tool's body and handle provide thermal isolation, while the lugs and anchoring members enable secure engagement with the seal and shower rose components. This intermediary mechanism eliminates burn risks by keeping the operator's hands away from高温 surfaces throughout both installation and removal operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical manipulation with a tool-based mechanical system. Instead of using hands to directly manipulate the seal and shower rose components, the operator uses the installation tool which incorporates inclined helical ramps and anchoring members. These mechanical features automatically engage and manipulate the seal, substituting direct manual contact with an automated mechanical process that is safe from thermal hazards.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the group is cooled down for seal installation, then safety is improved, but the operation becomes lengthy and tedious
Solution Approach 1:
The installation tool acts as a thermal intermediary that enables safe operation on hot components. The tool's structure, including the body with thermal mass and the handle for gripping, provides sufficient thermal isolation to allow the operator to work on the shower rose immediately after heating operations without cooling down. This maintains safety while enabling rapid seal installation and removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The tool incorporates preliminary positioning features including a plate for receiving the seal before installation, and lugs with inclined ramps that are pre-configured to engage with the shower rose. The seal is positioned on the revolving plate in advance, and the tool's geometry is designed beforehand to automatically guide the seal into the correct position during rotation, eliminating the need for preliminary cooling and manual positioning adjustments.
4Ease of operation
If difficult access to the inside of the group is overcome, then seal installation is possible, but the operation becomes contorted and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The installation tool is designed with an elongate body that extends along a longitudinal axis, with the handle extending radially perpendicular to the body. This three-dimensional configuration allows the operator to approach the shower rose from an accessible external position and transmit rotational force through the radial handle to the elongate body, which then engages with the shower rose lugs. This dimensional arrangement eliminates the need for contorted operator positioning while maintaining full access to the seal installation point.
Solution Approach 2:
The tool incorporates a revolving plate that can rotate about an axis coinciding with the longitudinal axis of the body, and lugs with inclined helical ramps that convert rotational motion into axial displacement. When the operator rotates the radial handle, the dynamic interaction between the inclined ramps and complementary surfaces on the shower rose automatically advances the seal into place. This dynamic mechanism simplifies the operator's motion to a simple rotation while the tool handles the complex positioning and installation actions.
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
Enables rapid and safe seal installation and removal without cooling the coffee machine, reducing operator risk and improving accessibility through a simple rotational mechanism.
Implementation Method 1
the inner face of the or of at least two of the lugs of each series of lugs forms an inclined helical ramp to allow, when the ramps of a series of lugs are in the state positioned in bearing contact with ramp-forming inclined surfaces of complementary forms and, when said body is in the state driven in rotation about its longitudinal axis, an axial displacement of said body
Data Source
AI summary
Device (1) for installing/removing a seal (12) for an injection group of a coffee machine, comprising a body (2) which is elongate along a longitudinal axis (XX′), a handle (3) for gripping the body (2) and two rows of lugs (4), one of which is arranged at one end and the other of which is arranged at the other end of the elongate body (2). Each lug (4) of a row, which is radial relative to the body (2), is arranged around the body (2) on a centre circle which passes through the longitudinal axis (XX′) of the body (2), and each lug (4) of a row has a face (41) which is called the internal face and which is directed towards the lugs (4) of the other row and which forms a helical ramp (5) which is inclined to allow, in the positioned state of the ramps (5) of a row of lugs (4) in bearing contact with inclined surfaces forming ramps with complementary shapes, and, in the state in which the body (2) is rotated about its longitudinal axis (XX′), axial displacement of the body (2). One of the ends (6), which is called the seal installing end, of the body (2) is provided with a rotating plate (7) for receiving a seal (12) to be installed. The opposite end of the body (2) is provided with anchoring members (9) which project from the aforementioned end (8).