Beverage dispensing assembly for an appliance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional single-serve beverage dispensers are complex and expensive due to the need for motorized components, making them difficult to assemble, prone to part failure, and challenging to clean, with limited access to brew pods and difficulty in removing and reinstalling them.
Innovation Solution
A beverage dispensing assembly with a dispenser body, flanges, and a water delivery system that includes a slidably attached delivery nozzle and a biasing spring, allowing for manual water delivery without motors, and a brew module with a rotatable lid and rails for easy installation, removal, and cleaning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If motorized components are used to move water delivery tube into alignment, then water delivery reliability is improved, but device complexity and expense increase
Solution Approach 1:
The brew module itself performs the alignment function by engaging its rails with the flanges, which automatically positions the water delivery tube correctly without requiring external motorized adjustment. The system uses the installation action itself to achieve alignment rather than requiring separate motorized components.
Solution Approach 2:
The flanges and rails are designed with matching geometries that create a natural alignment interface, ensuring that when the brew module is installed, the water delivery tube automatically finds its correct position through the equipotential engagement of complementary surfaces rather than requiring active motorized positioning.
2Reliability
If motorized components are used to control water delivery, then water leak prevention is improved, but device complexity and part failure risk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The engagement between flanges and rails creates a self-aligning and self-sealing mechanism where the mechanical connection itself ensures proper positioning and prevents water leaks without requiring additional motorized control components or seals.
Solution Approach 2:
The alignment and sealing functions are merged into a single mechanical engagement action between the flanges and rails, combining multiple protective functions into one simple structural interface rather than using separate motorized components for each function.
3Reliability
If interference fit is created between needle and brew pod, then beverage dispensing reliability is improved, but brew pod removal difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from a static interference fit to a dynamic engagement where the brew pod can be easily inserted and removed. The flange-rail mechanism provides guided movement that maintains proper alignment during dynamic operations of insertion and removal while ensuring reliable water delivery during the brewing phase.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection system is segmented into separate functional elements: the flanges provide alignment and guidance, the rails provide support and movement guidance, and the needle-brew pod interface provides the sealing connection. This segmentation allows each element to perform its specific function optimally without the drawbacks of a unified interference fit system.
4Stability of the object's composition
If brew module is permanently affixed to appliance, then structural stability is improved, but cleanability and accessibility decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The brew module connection is designed to be dynamically changeable between a stable installed state and an easily removable state. The flange-rail engagement provides structural stability during operation but allows for simple removal and reinstallation, enabling easy cleaning and maintenance without permanent attachment.
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
Simplifies the assembly and operation of single-serve beverage dispensers, reduces the risk of part failure, and enhances accessibility and cleanability of brew pods, while eliminating the need for motorized components.
Implementation Method 1
The biasing spring may motivate the delivery nozzle toward the lowered position
Data Source
AI summary
A beverage dispensing assembly may include a dispenser body, one or more flanges, a brew module, and a water delivery system. The dispenser body may define a dispenser recess. The flanges may extend from and below an upper wall. The brew module may be selectively installed within the dispenser recess and define a brew chamber therein. The brew module may include one or more rails movably received on the one or more flanges to support the brew module within the dispenser recess. The water delivery system may be mounted to the dispenser body in selective engagement with the brew module. The water delivery system may include a delivery nozzle and a biasing spring. The delivery nozzle may be slidably attached to the upper wall and axially slidable between a lowered position and an elevated position. The biasing spring may motivate the delivery nozzle toward the lowered position.