Threaded Brew Head Linkage for Precise Pod Size Adaptation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Brewing machines in aircraft applications face issues with brew pods of varying sizes and shapes, leading to sub-optimal brew time and temperature due to incorrect seating, which affects the quality of brewed products like coffee or tea.

Innovation Solution

A finely adjustable brew head linkage system that includes a handle engaging linkage element, a head engaging linkage element, and an adjusting element, allowing for precise adjustment of the distance between these components to accommodate different brew pod sizes, ensuring proper seating and consistent brewing conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a fixed brew head linkage is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the adaptability to different brew pod sizes deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to different brew pod sizesVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The brew head linkage is made adjustable through a threaded adjusting element that allows the distance between the brew head and handle to be modified. This dynamic adjustment capability enables the system to adapt to different brew pod sizes while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure without requiring multiple fixed linkage configurations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If the brew head linkage is made adjustable, then the adaptability to different brew pod sizes is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to different brew pod sizesVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The linkage length parameter is made variable through the adjusting element with threaded portions. By changing the threaded parameter (number of threads engaged), the distance between brew head and handle can be precisely adjusted to accommodate different brew pod dimensions, providing adaptability through a single adjustable component rather than multiple fixed components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Manufacturing precision

If a coarse adjustment mechanism is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the manufacturing precision of the linkage distance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprecision of linkage distance adjustmentVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The adjustment function is extracted as a separate, dedicated adjusting element with threaded portions that can be independently modified. This allows precise adjustment of the linkage distance without complicating the overall linkage structure, as the precision adjustment capability is contained within the single adjusting element rather than distributed across multiple components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 adjustable brew head linkage system ensures optimal brew time and temperature by accommodating various brew pod sizes, enhancing the quality and consistency of brewed beverages in aircraft brewing machines.

Implementation Method 1

a secondary head linkage locking element disposed on the brew head engaging linkage element engaging the threaded portion to provide friction to lock the adjusting element in place

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP3711642B1Adjustable brew head linkage
Publication Date: 2022.11.16 ROCKWELL COLLINS INC
  • EP3711642B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3711642B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3711642B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An adjustable brew head linkage includes a brew head linkage element (514), a handle linkage element (500), and an adjusting element (508) between the brew head linkage element and the handle linkage element to smoothly increase and decrease the distance between the brew head linkage element and the handle linkage element to alter the size of a corresponding brew chamber to accommodate various brew pods. The brew head linkage element and/or handle linkage element may include a threaded portion to engage the adjusting element. Turning the adjusting element causes deflection. Threaded portions may have opposite handedness or different pitches. A secondary brew head linkage locking element provides friction to lock the adjusting element in place. The adjusting element increases and decreases the distance between the head linkage and the handle linkage in increments smaller than 0.178 millimeters (7/1000 inches).