Beverage Machine Movable Outlet Guide to Reduce Residue Dripping
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beverage preparation machines face challenges in effectively managing the flow and collection of beverages and waste liquids, leading to undesired dripping of residues into the dispensing area, which affects efficiency and cleanliness.
Innovation Solution
A beverage preparation machine with a movable directing guide and evacuation guide system, actuated by a motor or spring, that can switch between dispensing and non-dispensing positions to direct beverages to a user or waste collector, incorporating features like inflow penetrators, deflectors, and dam arrangements to manage flow and prevent residue accumulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a fixed beverage outlet is used above a dispensing zone, then beverage dispensing is simple and direct, but beverage residues drip into the dispensing area causing contamination and inefficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The beverage outlet is made movable rather than fixed, allowing it to switch between a dispensing position (above the dispensing zone) and a non-dispensing position (retracted or redirected). This dynamic positioning prevents residue accumulation by removing the outlet from the dispensing area after use, resolving the contradiction between simple dispensing and contamination prevention.
Solution Approach 2:
The beverage outlet is extracted or removed from the dispensing zone after beverage delivery is complete. By taking the outlet away from the dispensing area, the system eliminates the source of residue contamination while maintaining the simplicity of the dispensing action itself.
2Loss of substance
If pressure is released upstream the beverage outlet, then residual pressurized liquid evacuation is minimized, but beverage dispensing efficiency may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Pressure release is performed as a preliminary action before beverage dispensing begins, not during or after. By releasing pressure upstream before the dispensing cycle starts, the system minimizes residual liquid evacuation needs while ensuring full pressure is available for efficient beverage delivery when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
Pressure release operates periodically or cyclically at specific intervals (before dispensing) rather than continuously or after dispensing. This timed periodic action reduces residual liquid accumulation without interfering with the beverage dispensing efficiency when pressure is required.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a movable directing guide system is implemented to switch between dispensing and waste collection positions, then beverage residue management is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The movable directing guide system serves multiple functions: it directs beverage flow to the dispensing zone during dispensing mode and redirects flow to a waste collection zone during non-dispensing mode. This multi-functionality justifies the added complexity by consolidating beverage delivery and waste management into a single integrated system.
Solution Approach 2:
The directing guide acts as an intermediary element between the beverage outlet and the two possible destinations (dispensing zone and waste collection zone). This mediator component enables flexible flow direction control, improving residue management while maintaining a relatively simple mechanical implementation through a single movable guide structure.
Data Source
AI summary
A machine (1) for dispensing a beverage (100) has a beverage directing guide (10), an evacuation guide (20) and an actuator (30). The directing guide (10) is movable between a dispensing position and a non-dispensing position. The directing guide (10) is configured to deliver beverage (100) or waste liquid (101) into the evacuation guide (20) towards the placing area (2) or towards the waste collector (3). The directing guide (10) is movable relative to the evacuation guide (20). The evacuation guide (20) is actuated by the actuator (30) to act on the directing guide (10) so as to move the directing guide (10) towards at least one of the dispensing position and the non-dispensing position.