Beverage Machine Movable Guide to Prevent Residual Dripping
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beverage dispensing systems fail to effectively prevent undesired dripping of liquid residues into the dispensing area after or between serving processes, lacking flexibility in implementation.
Innovation Solution
A beverage machine with a movable guide that transitions between dispensing and non-dispensing positions, using a guide channel and outlet configuration to regulate beverage flow and prevent residual liquids from reaching the dispensing area, featuring a cam-follower mechanism and actuator for position control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a movable guide is used to prevent residual liquid from reaching the dispensing area, then liquid residue control is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The guide is made movable between a first position (during dispensing) and a second position (after dispensing) to dynamically control liquid flow paths. This dynamic repositioning allows the guide to redirect residual liquid away from the dispensing area, effectively solving the liquid residue problem while maintaining operational flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide acts as an intermediary element between the beverage outlet and the dispensing area. By repositioning this intermediary component, the system controls the flow path of residual liquid, directing it toward the waste collector rather than allowing it to drip onto the dispensing surface.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the guide is repositioned to prevent dripping, then liquid control is improved, but loss of beverage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The guide is repositioned to the second position at the precise moment when beverage dispensing is complete but before residual liquid finishes flowing. This preliminary action of repositioning the guide ensures that residual liquid is redirected to the waste collector, preventing both undesired dripping and waste of remaining beverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The system rapidly transitions the guide from the first position to the second position during the brief transition period between dispensing phases. This quick repositioning allows the system to skip the harmful intermediate state where residual liquid would otherwise drip onto the dispensing area, minimizing both contamination and beverage loss.
Data Source
Figure 1~3a
Figure 2b~6
AI summary
A machine (1) for dispensing a beverage (7) includes a module (10) having a cavity (10a) and a cavity outlet (10a') for guiding said beverage out of the cavity (10a). The cavity (10a) is delimited by a first module part (11) and a second module part (12). At least one (11) of the parts (11,12) is movable along a module direction (10') into a position distant from the other part (12) for transferring an ingredient capsule (2) to and/or from the cavity (10a) and into a position close to the other part (12) for processing the capsule (2) in the cavity (10a) to form said beverage (7). The machine (1) includes a guide (100) that has a guide outlet (102) and that is movable between: a dispensing position for receiving the beverage (7) from the cavity outlet (10a') and guiding the beverage (7) along a guide direction (100') to the guide outlet (102) to a beverage dispensing area; and a non-dispensing position for preventing liquid from being guided to the dispensing area. The guide direction (100') is horizontally angled away from the module direction (10') such as horizontally angled away by an angle in the range of 45 to 135 deg.