Adjustable dispensing nozzle
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing coffee producing machines have complex and expensive mechanisms for adjusting the distance between the beverage dispensing nozzle and the cup supporting surface, making them cumbersome and requiring large housings, which limits their compactness and usability with containers of varying sizes.
Innovation Solution
A beverage producing machine with a movable auxiliary surface and a tilting beverage dispensing nozzle that can be adjusted between two positions, allowing for the use of both small and large containers without increasing the machine's footprint, facilitated by a mechanical linkage for easy operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a complex mechanism is used to adjust the distance between the beverage dispensing nozzle and the cup supporting surface, then the machine can accommodate containers of varying sizes, but the device complexity and housing size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the auxiliary surface movable between a retracted position (within the housing footprint) and an extended position (projecting outward). This movable auxiliary surface dynamically adjusts the dispensing geometry to accommodate different container sizes without requiring complex internal mechanisms, thereby resolving the contradiction between adaptability and device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes another dimension by extending the auxiliary surface outward from the housing in addition to the vertical adjustment of the nozzle. This dimensional change allows the machine to accommodate larger containers by projecting the dispensing area outward rather than solely relying on vertical nozzle movement, reducing the need for complex internal adjustment mechanisms
2Device complexity
If the beverage dispensing nozzle is fixed in position, then the machine structure is simple, but it cannot accommodate containers of varying sizes
Solution Approach 1:
The nozzle is made dynamic by enabling it to tilt between a first position (for standard containers) and a second position (for larger containers). This dynamic positioning allows the fixed-mounted nozzle to adapt to different container sizes through angular adjustment rather than requiring complex vertical translation mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The solution introduces angular adjustment in the horizontal plane by tilting the nozzle, complementing the vertical auxiliary surface extension. This two-dimensional adjustment (angular tilt + vertical extension) provides versatility for different container sizes while keeping the nozzle's mounting structure relatively simple
3Area of stationary object
If the machine housing is made compact, then the machine is easy to transport and space-efficient, but the adjusting mechanism requires more space
Solution Approach 1:
The auxiliary surface is extracted from the internal housing space and positioned externally on the front face of the housing. This extraction allows the auxiliary surface to provide the necessary adjustment functionality while projecting outward, thereby maintaining a compact housing footprint without requiring additional internal space for complex mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The solution resolves the space conflict by utilizing the external front face of the housing as an additional dimension for the auxiliary surface. This external positioning allows the adjusting mechanism to occupy minimal internal space while still providing the necessary functional range for different container sizes
Data Source
AI summary
A beverage producing machine is disclosed, comprising: a housing (3); a supporting surface (23) on which a beverage collecting container (C) can be placed; and a beverage dispensing nozzle (13) arranged above the supporting surface. The machine further comprises a movable auxiliary surface (25) which is combined to the supporting surface and is movable between an operating position and a rest position. In the operating position the movable auxiliary surface is parallel to the supporting surface. In the rest position the movable auxiliary surface is removed from the supporting surface. Moreover the dispensing nozzle (13) is movable between a first position for dispensing a beverage in a container placed on said supporting surface, and a second position for dispensing the beverage in a container placed on the movable auxiliary surface (25).