Three-Lever Self-Locking Mechanism for High-Pressure Beverage Brewing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional beverage brewing devices have complex and costly locking mechanisms that are difficult to disassemble and prone to residue, necessitating a more economical, reliable, and easy-to-manufacture solution for maintaining high pressure sealing.

Innovation Solution

A cover actuating and self-locking device utilizing a simple three-lever mechanism with a fixed frame, actuating mechanism, and cover, where the first, second, and third levers are hinged sequentially, and a stopping groove allows for a self-locking effect with high locking force, using metal shafts for load-bearing components and plastic for other parts to reduce weight and cost.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a complex steel locking mechanism is used to provide high pressure and ensure stability, then the sealing reliability is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases and the device becomes difficult to disassemble

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing reliabilityVSAvoidlocking mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The locking mechanism is divided into three separate levers (first lever, second lever, third lever) that are hinged sequentially, allowing each component to be simpler and easier to manufacture while working together to achieve the required locking force

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of using a complex steel mechanism to achieve locking, the invention uses a simple plastic lever system with a stopping groove that provides self-locking through geometric constraints rather than complex mechanical interlocking

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Reliability

If a complex steel locking mechanism is used to maintain high pressure sealing, then the sealing performance is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing performanceVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The locking mechanism is designed to be economical and cost-effective, using plastic materials for the levers and a simple stopping groove instead of expensive steel components, making the device cheaper to manufacture while maintaining functional reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the material parameter from steel to plastic for the locking mechanism components, and changes the structural parameter from complex interlocking to simple lever arms with a stopping groove, achieving cost reduction while maintaining sealing performance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If a complex steel locking mechanism is used to ensure stability, then the reliability is improved, but the device becomes difficult to disassemble

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovestabilityVSAvoiddisassembly ease
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The locking mechanism is segmented into three hinged levers that can move independently, allowing the cover to be easily opened by manipulating the levers through the stopping groove without requiring disassembly of complex fasteners or welds

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 device achieves reliable mechanical locking with a compact, lightweight, and cost-effective design capable of applying high pressure to seal the brewing chamber, ensuring effective sealing and easy processing, suitable for high-pressure coffee brewing.

Implementation Method 1

the actuating mechanism comprises a first lever, a second lever and a third lever that are hinged sequentially

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLever: Lever

Implementation Method 2

when the first lever rotates around the fixed hinging point in a locking rotation direction, it can push the stopping hinge shaft via the second lever to slide from a free end of the stopping groove to a locking end of the stopping groove

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical Advantage: Mechanical Advantage

Implementation Method 3

a bottom end of the third lever is hingedly connected to a cover hinging point on the top surface of the cover

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLever: Lever

Implementation Method 4

it can push the cover via the third lever to move downward from an upper locking position to a lower locking position

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectForce Transmission: Force

Implementation Method 5

a stopping hinge shaft between the bottom end of the second lever and the top end of the third lever extends into the stopping groove and slides in the stopping groove

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 6

the device achieves reliable mechanical locking with a compact, lightweight, and cost-effective design capable of applying high pressure to seal the brewing chamber

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical Locking: Mechanical Fastener

Data Source

PatentEP3571965B1Cover actuating and self-locking device, beverage brewing device, and beverage brewing system
Publication Date: 2021.02.24 GUANGDONG MIDEA CONSUMER ELECTRICS MFG CO LTD
  • EP3571965B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3571965B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3571965B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

A cover actuating and self-locking device. A fixed end of a first lever (1) is hingedly connected to a fixed hinging point (J1). A bottom end of a third lever (3) is hingedly connected to a cover hinging point (J4), and a stopping hinge shaft is slidably inserted into a stopping groove (103). When the first lever (1) is rotated, a second lever (2) can push the stopping hinge shaft to slide from a free end of the stopping groove to a locking end (S), and a third lever (3) can push a cover (4) to move from an upper locking position to a lower locking position. At the lower locking position, when a line connecting a top-end hinging point and a bottom-end hinging point of the third lever (3) rotates along a locking rotation direction (w) so as to be aligned with a plane of a top surface of the cover (4), the angle of rotation (a) is not greater than 90 degrees. Further provided is a beverage brewing device and a beverage brewing system. The device has a simple structure, is easy to process and manufacture, and has reliable work performance. The invention has a low cost and can be used in beverage brewing devices.