Spindle Brewing Chamber Coupling for Reliable Pivoting
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The pivoting of the brewing chamber in fully automatic coffee machines is largely dependent on static friction, which can be unreliable and susceptible to contamination, leading to reduced machine reliability over its service life.
Innovation Solution
A releasable coupling between the spindle and the brewing chamber is introduced, allowing for temporary activation during pivoting movements, independent of static friction, with automatic actuation mechanisms to ensure reliable torque transmission and minimize contamination risks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If static friction between the threaded spindle and brewing chamber support is used to pivot the brewing chamber, then the structure is simple, but the reliability deteriorates due to contamination and wear over service life
Solution Approach 1:
A detachable coupling device is introduced as an intermediary between the threaded spindle and brewing chamber support. This coupling includes a coupling element with a coupling arm that can be selectively engaged or disengaged, providing a positive mechanical connection for reliable torque transmission during pivoting operations, while allowing the simpler threaded connection to remain as the baseline structure.
2Reliability
If a detachable coupling is added to improve pivoting reliability, then the reliability improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling device is designed with dynamic engagement and disengagement capabilities. The coupling element can be selectively activated or deactivated depending on the operational phase, allowing the system to transition between a simple threaded connection state and a reinforced coupled state, thereby managing complexity only when needed for reliable pivoting.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling mechanism is segmented into separate components including a coupling element, coupling arm, and engagement features that can be independently positioned. This segmentation allows the coupling to be integrated into the existing threaded spindle and brewing chamber support structure without requiring a complete redesign of the entire pivoting mechanism.
3Reliability
If the coupling is activated during entire pivoting process, then the torque transmission is reliable, but the risk of contamination increases
Solution Approach 1:
The detachable coupling is designed to be activated only during specific phases of the pivoting process when reliable torque transmission is critical, and disengaged during other phases. This periodic engagement reduces the overall time the coupling components are exposed to potential contaminants while maintaining reliability when needed, balancing torque transmission needs with contamination risk mitigation.
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 enhances the reliability of the coffee machine by reducing dependence on static friction and protecting the coupling from contamination, ensuring consistent and efficient brewing chamber movement throughout the machine's service life.
Implementation Method 1
The brewing chamber is pivoted by rotating along with the threaded spindle, due to the static friction between an internal thread of the brewing chamber support and the external thread of the threaded spindle.
Data Source
Figure 1a~1c
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a fully automatic coffee machine, in particular for domestic use, comprising a spindle brewing unit (1) having a brewing chamber (10), having a threaded spindle (20) for driving the brewing chamber (10) by means of a brewing chamber support (12) of the brewing chamber (10) as a spindle nut, wherein the brewing chamber (10) is disposed laterally adjacent to the threaded spindle (20) in such a way that the brewing chamber (10) can swivel in a swivel plane (S) orthogonally with respect to the spindle axis (A) and can move in a direction of movement (F) parallel to the spindle axis (A). Said coffee machine is embodied by a releasable coupling (30) between the spindle (20) and the brewing chamber (10) which is coupled (during the swivelling).