Beverage cartridge
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beverage dispensing systems face challenges in the design of the mechanical interface between the cartridge and the dispensing machine, leading to issues such as fluid spills and alignment difficulties, which complicate the restocking process and affect the reliability and compactness of the system.
Innovation Solution
A beverage dispensing system design where the drive port and fluid outlet port are located on the same side of the housing, allowing for short, direct couplings and a compact design, enabling a push-fit connection that simplifies the alignment and loading process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If the fluid outlet port and drive port are located on different sides of the housing, then fluid spills from the fluid outlet are less likely to contaminate the motor shaft, but the couplings become longer and the design becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the locations of the fluid outlet port and drive port to the same side of the housing, allowing both couplings to be short and direct. This consolidation eliminates the need for long, complex couplings while managing fluid spill risks through the specific geometric arrangement of the ports and couplings.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the fluid outlet port is positioned lower than the motor shaft to prevent contamination, then fluid spills are contained, but the alignment between the cartridge and dispensing machine becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs asymmetric positioning of the fluid outlet port and drive port on the same side of the housing, with specific angular and positional relationships that facilitate natural alignment during insertion while maintaining fluid containment. The couplings are arranged at different angles relative to the housing axes, creating an asymmetric but aligned configuration.
3Device complexity
If the couplings are made short and direct by positioning ports on the same side, then the design becomes simpler and more reliable, but the space required for the dispensing assembly increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves the space conflict by utilizing three-dimensional spatial arrangement of the couplings and ports. The couplings extend along different axes (one along the longitudinal axis, another at an angle) from the same side of the housing, effectively using dimensional space to accommodate both short couplings without increasing the overall footprint of the dispensing assembly.
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple beverage cartridges are carried in the dispensing machine, then beverage variety is increased, but the restocking frequency and operational burden increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates homogeneous coupling interfaces and alignment features across all beverage cartridges, allowing them to be installed using the same simple push-fit procedure. This standardization enables rapid restocking even when multiple different cartridge types are carried, as each cartridge follows the same insertion and alignment process.
Data Source
AI summary
A beverage cartridge (50) for use in a beverage dispensing system, comprising a housing (52), and located within the housing, a container for accommodating a beverage-related fluid substance and a pump; a drive port (53a) via which a driving torque may be delivered to the pump; and a fluid outlet port (53b) via which the fluid substance may be pumped from the cartridge; wherein the fluid outlet port (53b) and the drive port (53A) are located on the same side of the housing (52).