Beverage preparation apparatus with improved container holder
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beverage preparation appliances, such as coffee machines, suffer from complex structures that fail to adequately prevent container vibration and movement during pump operation, leading to potential spillage and disruption of beverage preparation.
Innovation Solution
A simplified container support system with a receiving surface made of high-friction material, such as elastomeric silicone, to securely hold containers in place during pump operation, combined with a two-part structure for easy cleaning and reduced noise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a complex vibration reduction structure integrating with the work surface is used, then vibrations from the pump are isolated, but the device complexity increases and container movement is not completely prevented
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the vibration isolation function from the complex work surface integration and concentrates it into a simple elastomeric material layer on the receiving surface. This material layer alone provides sufficient vibration damping and container stabilization without requiring complex structural modifications to the support system.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical parameter of the receiving surface by using elastomeric material with specific viscoelastic properties. This material parameter change provides inherent vibration damping and friction-based container holding, replacing the need for complex mechanical vibration isolation structures.
2Device complexity
If the container support structure is simplified, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ability to prevent container movement during pump operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention achieves reliable container positioning by changing the friction parameter through elastomeric material selection. The high friction coefficient of this material ensures container stability during pump operation, while the simple structural implementation maintains low device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses composite material properties of elastomeric materials that combine high friction surface characteristics with vibration damping properties. This single material solution simultaneously addresses both container holding and vibration reduction without requiring complex multi-component structures.
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 effectively prevents container movement and spillage, ensuring stable beverage preparation and reducing noise, while maintaining a simple and cost-effective design.
Implementation Method 1
the receiving surface is made of a material configured to ensure that the container is held in position on the receiving surface during the operation of the pump
Implementation Method 2
limits the impact of vibrations due to the operation of the liquid circulation pump
Data Source
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AI summary
This beverage preparation apparatus (10) includes a liquid circulation pump, an infusion chamber, a beverage dispensing head (14), and a container support (18) comprising: + a support portion defining a container receiving surface (40) configured to be located at least partially below the beverage dispensing head (14), and + a collection tank configured to be located at least partially below the support portion. The container receiving surface (40) is made of a material configured to ensure that the container remains in position on the receiving surface (40) during pump operation.