Beverage-making machine
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beverage-making machines face inefficiencies due to impractical coupling mechanisms, reduced stability, aesthetic impacts, and limitations in handling multiple containers simultaneously, particularly in professional settings and for varying cup sizes.
Innovation Solution
A beverage-making machine equipped with a tray featuring a movable support and attachment members that allow quick adjustment between raised and lowered configurations, providing stability and accommodating multiple container sizes without aesthetic compromise, and compatible with existing machines.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a coupling mechanism with male and female connection members is used to adjust the distance between the dispensing unit and container, then the container can be positioned at different heights, but the beverage-making process is slowed down due to multiple attempts required for coupling and the need to move the locking mechanism at each height change
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure is divided into multiple height levels with discrete positioning points. The support base includes several support portions at different heights, allowing the tray to be quickly positioned at predetermined levels without complex coupling attempts, thus maintaining adjustability while improving operation speed.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the support base provide different support heights locally. The support base includes first, second, and third support portions at varying heights, enabling the tray to be stabilized at multiple positions without requiring complex locking mechanisms, thereby speeding up the adjustment process.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a locking mechanism is added to increase the stability of the tray at different heights, then the tray stability is improved, but the beverage-making speed is further reduced as the user must move the locking mechanism at each height change
Solution Approach 1:
The tray's own weight and the geometric arrangement of the support portions create self-stabilization. When the tray is positioned on the support base, gravity and the distributed support points automatically stabilize the tray without requiring external locking mechanisms, eliminating the need for additional operational steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The support portions are arranged to provide stable equilibrium positions at different heights. The tray naturally settles into stable positions when placed on the support base, creating equipotential stable states that require no additional locking actions, thus maintaining both stability and operational simplicity.
3Device complexity
If the tray is not fully supported along the support base, then the structure remains simple, but the tray may break upon engagement of the connection member
Solution Approach 1:
The support base provides localized support at multiple discrete points rather than continuous support. The first, second, and third support portions are strategically positioned to distribute the load from the connection member engagement across multiple locations, preventing stress concentration and tray breakage while keeping the overall structure simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The support function is segmented into multiple discrete support portions rather than a single continuous support. This segmentation distributes the mechanical stress from connection member engagement across multiple points, increasing durability without adding complex structural elements.
4Adaptability or versatility
If a positioning plate device is used to change container position, then high-low position switching is achieved, but the device has aesthetic impact on the machine and limits usage to one cup at a time
Solution Approach 1:
The tray design with multiple support portions serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides height adjustment, stabilizes the tray at different positions, and accommodates multiple containers of varying sizes. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate positioning devices and enables parallel processing of multiple beverages.
Solution Approach 2:
The positioning and support functions are merged into a single integrated tray structure. The tray itself, through its interaction with the multi-level support base, achieves position switching and stabilization, eliminating the need for separate positioning plates and allowing multiple containers to be handled simultaneously.
Data Source
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AI summary
A beverage-making machine comprising: an outer casing, a beverage dispensing unit, and a tray. The tray comprises: a vessel for collecting waste liquids, which comprises a bottom and a plurality of sides defining a peripheral edge; a movable support configured to support a container adapted to receive the beverage being dispensed, and comprising a flat portion, walls and a first and a second bearing portion; attachment members for removably attaching the movable support to the vessel. The movable support reversibly alternates between a raised configuration, in which the first bearing portion of the movable support contacts the peripheral edge of the vessel and the attachment members are attached, and a lowered configuration, in which the second bearing portion of the movable support contacts the peripheral edge of the vessel.