Beverage Machine Side-Face Module Assembly for Corner Placement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beverage preparation machines often require users to frequently disassemble and reassemble modules, such as water tanks and ingredient reservoirs, which can be cumbersome, especially when the machines are placed in narrow environments like corners, necessitating frequent access for refilling, cleaning, or servicing without moving the machine.
Innovation Solution
The machine design allows for the user-assemblable and disassemblable modules to be located on the side face, enabling easy access without displacing the machine, with a configuration that allows the first module (water source) and second module (ingredient/waste reservoir) to be assembled/disassembled from the same side face, facilitating placement against walls and reducing the need for repositioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If modules are placed on the front face of the machine, then users can easily access them for refilling and cleaning, but the machine cannot be placed in narrow environments like corners
Solution Approach 1:
The patent moves the module assembly interface from the front face (2D plane) to the side face (different spatial dimension), allowing modules to be accessed laterally rather than frontally. This dimensional shift enables the machine to be positioned against walls or in corners while maintaining module accessibility.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the machine is placed against walls in narrow environments, then space is optimized, but users cannot access modules for servicing without moving the machine
Solution Approach 1:
By positioning module assembly arrangements on the side face rather than front face, the design enables lateral access to modules. This allows the machine to be placed against walls or in corners (optimizing space) while users can still service modules by approaching from the side without needing to move the machine.
3Stability of the object's composition
If multiple modules are assembled on different faces of the machine, then structural stability is improved, but the number of assembly arrangements increases complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple module assembly functions into a single side face location. Both the first module (water source) and second module (ingredient/waste reservoir) can be assembled on the same side face, reducing the number of different assembly locations from multiple faces to one consolidated area, thereby simplifying the overall assembly arrangement.
Data Source
AI summary
A machine (1) for preparing a beverage from an ingredient (2) includes: —a body (10) comprising a fluid line (11, 11a, 11b, 11c, 11d, 11e) extending from a source of liquid to a beverage outlet (11) located at or on a body front face (12) delimiting a front area for locating a beverage collection user-recipient; —a first module (20) that is assemblable to the body (10) and that is disassemblable therefrom by said user; and—a second module (30) different to the first module (20), the second module (30) being assemblable to the body (10) and being disassemblable therefrom by said user. The body (10) has a side face (14) that is different to the front face (12). The side face (12) has: a first assembly arrangement (122) for assembly by the user of the first module (20) to the body (10); and a second assembly arrangement (123) for assembly by the user of the second module (30) to the body (10).