Beverage dispensing machines and backblocks thereof
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beverage dispensing machines lack efficient mechanisms for selectively routing and mixing plain water, carbonated water, and syrup fluids to dispense a variety of beverages, leading to complexity and potential fluid flow issues.
Innovation Solution
A backblock design with rotatable spindles and latching mechanisms that allow for selective alignment of fluid pathways between inlets and outlets, enabling the controlled flow of plain water, carbonated water, and syrup to a dispensing valve, facilitating the creation of different beverages.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional backblocks are used for beverage dispensing, then the structure is simple, but the ability to selectively route and mix multiple fluids is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements rotatable spindles within the backblock that can be rotated to different positions to selectively align fluid pathways. This dynamic mechanism allows a single backblock structure to route multiple fluids (plain water, carbonated water, syrup) to different outlets, providing versatility without requiring multiple separate backblocks
Solution Approach 2:
The backblock is designed with multiple inlets and outlets that can be connected to a single valve through the rotatable spindle mechanism. This universal design allows one backblock to serve multiple beverage dispensing functions by mixing different fluid combinations, eliminating the need for separate backblocks for each beverage type
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple fluid pathways are integrated into a single backblock, then beverage variety increases, but fluid flow control becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The rotatable spindle provides a simple mechanical interface for controlling fluid flow. By rotating the spindle to different positions, operators can easily select which fluid pathways are active, making the operation intuitive despite the complexity of multiple fluid routes
Solution Approach 2:
The backblock is pre-configured with defined fluid pathways and mixing chambers. The spindle positions are designed to pre-align specific inlet-outlet connections, so operators don't need to manually configure complex routing - they simply rotate the spindle to the appropriate pre-defined position for the desired beverage
3Manufacturing precision
If rotatable spindles are used for fluid routing, then fluid path alignment precision improves, but the mechanism complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rotatable spindle mechanism uses simple rotational movement to achieve precise alignment of fluid pathways. The spindle contains internal passages that can be oriented to connect specific inlets to outlets through rotation, providing precise fluid path control with a relatively simple mechanical structure
Solution Approach 2:
The spindle combines multiple fluid routing functions into a single component. Instead of using separate valves or complex switching mechanisms for each fluid pathway, the spindle integrates all routing control into one rotatable element, reducing overall mechanism complexity while maintaining alignment precision
Data Source
AI summary
A backblock includes a body with a cavity connected to an inlet and an outlet. A spindle is positioned with a first end within the cavity and a second end with a tab exterior of the body. A latching plate is configured for translative movement relative to the body. The latching plate includes a keyhole with a bore and a channel. The bore is dimensioned to receive the spindle and the channel is dimensioned to receive the tab. The latching plate has a first latch position proximate to the body and a second latch position spaced apart from the body. When the tab is in alignment with the channel, the latching plate can translate to the second latch position about the tab. When the tab is out of alignment with the channel, the tab retains the latching plate in the first latch position.