Beverage Machine Carrying Handle for Safe Single-Handed Relocation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing beverage machines are not easily movable or adaptable to different environments, posing challenges during cleaning and relocation due to their design, which can lead to mechanical stress and damage when handled improperly.

Innovation Solution

A beverage machine with a pivotable handle that allows single-handed lifting and displacement, featuring a gripping part designed for secure handling and an outer casing with interchangeable panels to adjust appearance and functionality according to user preferences.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the machine is designed with a fixed structure for stability, then it provides reliable operation, but it becomes difficult to move and clean

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational stabilityVSAvoidmovability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The machine is divided into a stationary base and a movable functional block that can be separated. The functional block containing the brewing unit, water reservoir, and cup holder can be lifted and moved independently from the base, which remains fixed for stability during operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The functional block is designed with dynamic movability - it can be in a fixed position during operation for stability, and easily lifted/moved when cleaning or relocating is needed. This dynamic state change resolves the contradiction between fixed stability and movable flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If the machine is made stationary for reliable operation, then it maintains stable performance, but it causes mechanical stress and damage when forced to be moved

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveperformance stabilityVSAvoidstructural integrity during moving
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the machine into base and functional block, the structural integrity of each part is preserved. The base remains stationary and structurally sound, while the functional block is designed to be safely lifted and moved without causing stress to either component.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The separable connection between base and functional block acts as an intermediary that allows controlled movement. When moving, the connection is disengaged, preventing mechanical stress; during operation, the connection provides stable support without compromising structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Stability of the object's composition

If the machine has a fixed appearance design, then it maintains consistent aesthetics, but it cannot adapt to different environments or user preferences

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaesthetic consistencyVSAvoidenvironmental adaptability
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The appearance panels are made dynamically changeable - users can swap different colored or styled panels on the functional block to match different environments or preferences, while the core structure maintains consistent aesthetics.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The standardized panel design allows the same panel system to serve multiple functions: aesthetic customization for different environments, identification of machine state, and potential functional indication, making the machine adaptable without sacrificing design consistency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Reliability

If the machine is designed for single location use, then it optimizes performance for that location, but it requires professional modifications to relocate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocation-optimized performanceVSAvoidrelocation simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The separable base-functional block design enables easy relocation. The functional block can be detached and moved to different locations without requiring professional modifications to the machine structure or the installation location.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The standardized connection interface between base and functional block allows the machine to be reliably assembled and disassembled multiple times, maintaining location-optimized performance while enabling simple relocation when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP2309900B1Beverage machine with carrying handle and configurable appearance&side functions
Publication Date: 2015.05.27 NESTEC SA
  • EP2309900B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2309900B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP2309900B1 patent drawingFigure 4a~4c

AI summary

A machine for preparing a beverage has: a main body (9) containing a brewing unit (1); and a handle (30) movable relative to the main body, so as to act on the brewing unit to open the brewing unit for introduction or removal of an ingredient into and from the unit, and act to close the brewing unit for extraction of such ingredient within the unit. The movable handle has a gripping part (30') and is arranged to be drivable by a human hand (10). The main body and the movable handle are so connected and configured that the gripping part has a carrying position in which the gripping part is seizable by the human hand for safe lifting and displacing of such machine single-handed.