Beverage dispensing unit and apparatus comprising said dispensing unit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beverage dispensing apparatuses are inconvenient for simultaneously dispensing coffee into one or two cups, often requiring precise placement and risking splashes due to non-centered spouts, and previous solutions are bulky, complex, or unable to divide the beverage into equal parts.
Innovation Solution
A dispensing unit with three spouts, where one spout is for single cup dispensing and the other two for simultaneous dual cup dispensing, featuring a movable member to adjust the liquid transfer path, ensuring easy switching between modes and allowing for equal beverage distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If two spouts are used for simultaneous dual cup dispensing, then productivity is improved, but device complexity increases and ease of operation deteriorates due to precise placement requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The dispensing system is segmented into three independent spouts instead of two, allowing each spout to be independently positioned and operated. This segmentation enables the central spout to handle single cup dispensing while the lateral spouts handle dual cup dispensing, eliminating the need for precise cup placement by providing dedicated dispensing paths for each cup position.
Solution Approach 2:
The dispensing unit with three spouts serves multiple functions: it can dispense into a single cup using the central spout, or simultaneously dispense into two cups using the lateral spouts. This multi-functionality allows the same apparatus to adapt to different service requirements without changing the device configuration or requiring precise user placement.
2Volume of moving object
If spouts are positioned close together for compact design, then device complexity is reduced, but object-generated harmful factors increase due to beverage splashes
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the dispensing function into three spouts with the central spout positioned between two lateral spouts, the system creates well-defined, separated dispensing zones. This spatial segmentation ensures that beverage flows from each spout are independent and centered, preventing splashes and contamination even in a compact configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The asymmetric arrangement of three spouts (one central, two lateral) creates optimal spacing and positioning for dispensing. The central spout is positioned to dispense into a single cup, while the lateral spouts are positioned to dispense into two separate cups, ensuring proper alignment and minimizing splash risk through asymmetric but functional positioning.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a movable member is added to switch between single and dual dispensing modes, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The dispensing system incorporates a movable member that can dynamically reposition the liquid transfer path to connect either the central spout or the two lateral spouts to the beverage source. This dynamic capability allows the system to switch between single and dual dispensing modes on demand, providing adaptability through controlled movement rather than fixed configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable member is positioned and configured in advance to establish the appropriate liquid transfer path before dispensing begins. By preliminarily setting the connection between the beverage source and the desired spout(s), the system enables mode switching without requiring complex real-time adjustments during operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A beverage dispensing unit (1; 13; 15; 17) for an apparatus for supplying a beverage (in particular, coffee) which comprises an infeed section (21) and a dispensing section (23), which comprises three dispensing spouts (31, 32, 33). Two ducts (41, 42) are interposed in parallel between the infeed section and the dispensing section. Each duct receives a respective part of the beverage and has an outfeed (44). A movable member (5; 53; 7) is shiftable to change a liquid transfer path between the outfeeds of the two ducts and the dispensing section: when the movable member is in a first position, the respective parts of beverage are introduced into a same first dispensing spout (31); when the movable member is in a second position, the respective part of beverage of one duct (41) is introduced into a second dispensing spout (32) and the respective part of beverage of the other duct (42) is introduced into a third dispensing spout (33).