Single-Dose Beverage Feed Mechanism With Back-Pressure Traction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing machines for preparing beverages from single dose portions, such as espresso coffee, face inefficiencies in transferring these portions from a strip-like support to an extraction device, particularly when using hermetic packages and requiring traction mechanisms that lack effective movement transmission and are complex in design.
Innovation Solution
The machine incorporates a back-pressure element opposing the actuation element to enhance traction force along the perimeter actuation surface, allowing for more reliable and flexible transfer of single dose portions from a horizontal to a vertical direction, reducing construction complexity and improving movement efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a traction mechanism is used to move the strip of single doses upward opposite to gravity, then the single dose portions can be supplied to the extraction device, but the actuation force required increases and the mechanism becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional upward traction approach by implementing a downward traction mechanism that moves the strip in the direction of gravity. The actuation element rotates to牵引 the strip downward, and the back-pressure element provides opposing upward force to control the movement, thereby simplifying the actuation mechanism while maintaining productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The back-pressure element acts as a counterweight mechanism, providing an opposing force to the downward movement of the strip. This counterforce allows for controlled traction without requiring complex braking or stopping mechanisms, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining supply capability
2Reliability
If a back-pressure element is added to oppose the actuation element, then movement transmission efficiency improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The back-pressure element is integrated into the same rotational mechanism as the actuation element, with both elements mounted on the same axis and working in conjunction. This merging approach improves movement transmission reliability through coordinated action while avoiding the complexity of separate, independent mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The back-pressure element serves multiple functions: it provides opposing force to control strip movement, maintains consistent contact pressure for reliable traction, and works in conjunction with the actuation element to enable controlled dispensing. This multi-functionality justifies the addition by delivering multiple benefits from a single component
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
This solution enables a more efficient and reliable transfer of single dose portions to the extraction device, improving the flexibility and simplicity of the machine's design while maintaining hermetic package integrity, thus enhancing beverage preparation processes.
Implementation Method 1
a back-pressure element (62) provided in direct opposition to said actuation element (61) so as to exert a joint back-pressure upon said support (21) of single portions (22) and upon at least part of the extension of traction interaction of the perimeter actuation surface (63) with said support (21) of single portions (22)
Data Source
AI summary
A machine (1) and process for preparing aromatic beverages by means of extraction, such as espresso coffee and similar, and adapted to supply a support (21) of single portions, comprising a plurality of single dose portions (22), to at least one extraction device (3) by means of an actuation device (6) disposed upstream of the extraction device (3) and comprising an actuation element (61) provided so that it can move the support (21) of single portions by means of rotation. In particular, the actuation device (6) further comprises a back-pressure element (62) that exerts a back-pressure upon the support (21) of single portions in the direction of the perimeter actuation surface (63), thereby providing greater operation reliability in the supply of the single dose portions (22) to an extraction device (3).