Beverage Machine with Movable Water Reservoir for Compact Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beverage preparation machines that use pre-packaged containers are bulky and take up valuable kitchen counter space due to their heavy internal components, making them difficult to store when not in use.
Innovation Solution
A compact beverage preparation machine design where the water reservoir is pivotally connected to the main housing, allowing it to move between a storage configuration beneath the brew head and a dispensing configuration, creating space for a receptacle and increasing stability, while remaining permanently connected to the water path.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the water reservoir is positioned at the rear of the beverage preparation machine, then the machine structure is simplified, but the overall depth of the machine increases
Solution Approach 1:
The water reservoir is repositioned from a rear placement (increasing depth) to a front placement beneath the brew head (utilizing width and height dimensions). This dimensional reconfiguration reduces the overall depth of the machine while maintaining structural simplicity through the permanent connection approach.
2Ease of operation
If the water reservoir is made removable from the main housing, then ease of refilling and emptying is improved, but device complexity increases due to required valve mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses a non-return valve that automatically prevents fluid flow from the main housing into the water reservoir without requiring active control mechanisms. This passive self-regulating approach maintains ease of operation while minimizing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The complex valve mechanisms are extracted from the water reservoir base and main housing connection interface. Instead of requiring seatable valves and water reservoir stations, the design uses a simpler permanent connection with a non-return valve, removing unnecessary complexity while maintaining functionality.
3Area of stationary object
If the water reservoir is positioned beneath the brew head in storage configuration, then the machine occupies less worktop space, but the void space needed for receptacle placement is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The water reservoir is designed to be movable between a storage configuration (beneath the brew head) and a dispensing configuration (moved away to create void space). This dynamic repositioning allows the machine to occupy minimal worktop space during storage while providing adequate void space for receptacle placement during beverage dispensing operations.
Data Source
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AI summary
A beverage preparation machine (1) is provided which comprises a main housing (2), a brew head (3) having an outlet (31) for discharging a prepared beverage, a water reservoir (4), and a water path for conveying water from the water reservoir to the brew head. The water reservoir is movable with respect to the main housing between a storage configuration and a beverage dispensing configuration. In one aspect of the disclosure the water reservoir (4) is non-removable from the main housing (2). In another aspect of the disclosure the water reservoir (4) is located laterally off-set from a midline of the main housing (2) in the beverage dispensing configuration so as to increase the overall width of the beverage preparation machine compared to the width in the storage configuration. In another aspect the water reservoir (4) comprises a dual-purpose lid (50; 50').