Adjustable Beverage Outlet Module With Stable Dual-Rail Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing height-adjustable and lockable outlet units for beverage dispensers face instability issues, particularly with larger outlets and longer travel distances, leading to unsatisfactory haptic experiences that affect customer perception of product value.
Innovation Solution
A height-adjustable and lockable outlet unit featuring a base frame with two parallel guide rails and a carriage that can be preassembled and tested, equipped with guide bushings for tolerance compensation and a fixing element for precise height adjustment, providing a high-quality haptic experience and simplified manufacturing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single longitudinal ball bearing is used for height adjustment, then the structure is simple, but the stability and haptic quality deteriorate with larger outlets and longer travel distances
Solution Approach 1:
The single ball bearing is segmented into two separate guide rails, each supported by its own guide bushing. This segmentation distributes the load and provides better stability while maintaining structural simplicity. The two guide rails work in parallel to support the outlet unit throughout its adjustment range.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide bushings act as intermediary elements between the outlet unit and the guide rails. These bushings provide a smooth interface that maintains stability during adjustment, reducing direct contact and friction while ensuring reliable guidance throughout the travel distance.
2Ease of manufacture
If the outlet unit is assembled as a complete module before installation, then manufacturing and testing are simplified, but the integration with the beverage dispenser becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The outlet unit is segmented into a self-contained module with the beverage outlet, guide rails, and guide bushings assembled together as a separate unit. This modular segmentation allows independent manufacturing and testing while simplifying integration into the beverage dispenser through a standardized mounting interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The base frame is designed with universal mounting features that can accommodate the pre-assembled outlet module. The standardized interface allows the module to be integrated into different beverage dispenser configurations without requiring custom adaptation, reducing integration complexity.
3Manufacturing precision
If two parallel guide rails are used instead of a single bearing, then the haptic quality and precision improve, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The two guide rails are positioned to provide optimal local support at critical points along the adjustment path. The guide bushings are strategically placed to ensure precise engagement with the rails, enhancing haptic quality and adjustment precision without requiring complex rail geometries throughout the entire structure.
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 ensures precise and stable height adjustment, enhancing customer perception of product value and quality while simplifying the manufacturing process by allowing pre-assembly and testing of the outlet unit as a separate module, reducing assembly errors and production costs.
Implementation Method 1
The guide bushings (6, 6') enable a tolerance compensation and are therefore rotatably and/or displaceably mounted on the carriage (5)
Implementation Method 2
Such guide bushings can be made, for example, from easily slidable plastics
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
The present invention relates to a height-adjustable and lockable dispensing unit (2) for a beverage vending machine (1), in particular for a coffee vending machine. Essential to the invention is: - that a base frame (3) is provided in/on which two parallel guide rails (4, 4') are fixed; - that a carriage (5) is provided which is guided slidably along the two guide rails (4, 4') via guide bushings (6, 6'); - that at least one locking element (7) is provided by which the carriage (5) can be automatically locked at a selectable position along the guide rails (4, 4'); - wherein the dispensing unit (2) is designed as a pre-assembled module. This allows for a tactilely appealing, smooth-running, and at the same time cost-effective solution for adjusting the height of the dispensing unit (2).