Beverage Outlet Height Adjustment With Manual Drive Assist
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automatic outlet height adjustment devices for beverage machines can be confusing for operators, leading to incorrect operation, while manual systems face difficulties in achieving precise adjustments due to high friction and requiring haptic feedback, resulting in unsatisfactory compromises.
Innovation Solution
A beverage machine with a manually operable outlet height adjustment system that uses a drive to support the movement initiated, continued, and ended by the operator, featuring a geometric element for intuitive operation and a sensor to determine the adjustment direction, allowing for precise control without complex sensor systems or programming.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If automatic outlet height adjustment devices are used, then the adjustment process is automated, but the operator may be confused leading to incorrect operation
Solution Approach 1:
The system allows the operator to manually initiate and control the adjustment process by gripping and moving the geometric element, while the drive automatically supports the movement. This self-service approach eliminates confusion from fully automatic systems while maintaining ease of operation through intuitive manual control.
Solution Approach 2:
The movement sensor detects the direction and extent of manual movement of the geometric element, providing real-time feedback to the drive system. This feedback mechanism ensures the outlet device moves precisely in the direction the operator intends, preventing incorrect operation while maintaining automation support.
2Ease of operation
If manual outlet height adjustment devices are used, then haptic feedback is provided to the operator, but high friction makes precise adjustment difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The drive system acts as an intermediary between the operator's manual input and the outlet device movement. The operator applies small forces to the geometric element for precise positioning, while the drive provides the necessary force to overcome friction and guide rail resistance, enabling both haptic feedback and precise adjustment.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adapts the drive support based on the operator's manual input. The movement sensor continuously detects the operator's movement intentions, and the drive dynamically adjusts its support force to match the operator's input, providing haptic feedback while overcoming frictional resistances for precise positioning.
3Force
If manual force is applied to overcome static friction and guide resistance, then the outlet device can be moved, but significant effort is required
Solution Approach 1:
The drive system serves as a mechanical intermediary that amplifies the operator's small manual forces. When the operator grips and moves the geometric element, the drive detects this movement and provides sufficient force to overcome static friction and guide resistance, reducing the effort required from the operator while maintaining manual control.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution reduces the risk of incorrect operation and eliminates the need for complex sensor systems, providing intuitive and precise adjustment of the outlet height, reducing operational complexity and costs while ensuring safe and efficient use.
Implementation Method 1
a sensor, via which the adjustment direction of the outlet height adjustment device is determined
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
A beverage machine (1), in particular a hot beverage machine, with an outlet device (3) and a device for adjusting the outlet height (13) of the outlet device (3), with a straight guide (7) on which the outlet device (3) can be slid on the beverage machine (1) and with a drive (11) with which the outlet device (3) can be moved in one direction of movement, is characterized by a design such that the movement of the outlet device (3) can be initiated, continued and ended manually by an operator , wherein the drive (11) is designed to support the movement of the outlet device (3).