Height-Adjustable Beverage Discharge With Constant Outlet Orientation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beverage preparation devices with height-adjustable outlets require considerable force to adjust due to high friction and strong magnetic attraction, making the process cumbersome and difficult to maintain a consistent discharge direction.
Innovation Solution
A beverage preparation device with a height-adjustable discharge mechanism using a hingeably attached adjustment arm and a pivotable delivery head, which reduces friction and maintains a constant orientation of the delivery opening, allowing for smoother height adjustments and consistent discharge direction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a collection tray with magnetic attraction is used for height adjustment, then the height setting is maintained securely, but considerable force is required to adjust the height due to high friction and strong magnetic attraction
Solution Approach 1:
The collection tray is divided into a stationary base and a movable upper portion connected by a hinge joint. This segmentation allows the upper portion to be adjusted independently while the base remains fixed, reducing the overall friction during height adjustment while maintaining magnetic holding force on the segmented parts.
Solution Approach 2:
The magnetic attraction force is made variable through a mechanism that allows the user to overcome the magnetic hold during adjustment. The magnetic force parameter is effectively changed from a constant strong attraction to a controllable force that can be temporarily overcome during adjustment and then reinstated for stable positioning.
2Stability of the object's composition
If surfaces rub against each other during height adjustment, then structural stability is maintained, but friction increases making adjustment difficult
Solution Approach 1:
By dividing the collection tray into segmented parts connected by a hinge, the patent reduces the contact surfaces that rub against each other during adjustment. Only the hinge joint experiences friction, while other parts maintain their stable positions, thus reducing overall friction while preserving structural stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge joint acts as an intermediary element between the stationary base and the movable upper portion. This intermediary allows relative movement with controlled friction at a single point, rather than having multiple surfaces rub against each other, making adjustment easier while maintaining structural integrity.
3Device complexity
If the delivery head is fixed to the adjustment arm, then the structure is simple, but the discharge direction varies with height adjustment
Solution Approach 1:
The delivery head is separated from the adjustment arm as an independent segment that can rotate relative to the arm. This segmentation allows the delivery head to maintain a constant vertical discharge direction while the adjustment arm changes height, achieving both simple structure and consistent discharge orientation.
Solution Approach 2:
The delivery head is made dynamic by allowing it to rotate freely around a horizontal axis, adapting its orientation to maintain vertical discharge regardless of the adjustment arm's position. This dynamic capability ensures consistent discharge direction while keeping the overall structure relatively simple.
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 enables easier and smoother height adjustment of the discharge device, requiring less force and maintaining a consistent discharge direction, enhancing user experience and cleaning comfort.
Implementation Method 1
the delivery head with a delivery opening (7) is pivotable around a pivot axis (Z1) arranged perpendicularly to the adjustment arm (9) by suspension from the adjustment arm (9) via hinge means (8a, 8b) arranged at the delivery end (9b) and arranged at the pivot axis (Z1), in such a way that the delivery opening (7) when pivoting the adjustment arm maintains a substantially constant orientation
Implementation Method 2
considerable force is required to adjust the height of the collection tray, because the collection tray encounters relatively a lot of friction upon movement as a consequence of surfaces rubbing against each other
Implementation Method 3
The height-setting set by the user is maintained due to two magnets attached to the apparatus body attracting two strips of ferromagnetic material on the collection tray
Data Source
AI summary
Beverage preparation device provided with a discharge (3) that is height—adjustable by hand characterized in that the discharge (3) comprises an adjustment arm (9) that is hingeably attached to a housing (4) in a hinge point (5) with a supply end (9a), wherein the adjustment arm can be pressed down or pushed up, which adjustment arm (9) at a delivery end (9b) is provided with a delivery head (6) with a delivery opening (7), wherein the delivery head (6) is pivotable around a pivot axis (2) arranged perpendicularly to the adjustment arm (9) by suspension from the adjustment arm (9) via hinge means (8a, 8b) arranged at the delivery end (9b) and arranged at the pivot axis (2), in such a way that the delivery opening (7) when pivoting the adjustment arm (9) maintains a substantially constant orientation.