Beverage producing device with a dual-position water container
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beverage producing devices, such as coffee makers, face challenges in reducing costs, dimensions, and packaging while making them more practical for use in limited spaces, as they often require larger form factors and more packaging material during storage and transportation.
Innovation Solution
A beverage producing device design featuring a removable water container that connects to the housing for operation and detaches into a recovery seat for storage, reducing overall dimensions and packaging needs, with a compact footprint and tool-free engagement mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the water container is permanently attached to the housing, then the device structure is simpler and more stable, but the overall device dimensions increase and storage efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The water container is divided as a separate, removable component from the housing, allowing it to be detached and stored independently in the recovery seat. This segmentation enables the device to have a compact form factor when the container is removed, while maintaining structural simplicity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The water container is designed to nest within the housing structure when not in use, specifically fitting into a recovery seat integrated into the housing. This nesting arrangement minimizes the overall device volume during storage and transportation without requiring additional external space.
2Ease of operation
If the water container is made removable and detachable, then storage and transportation space is reduced, but the device complexity and connection mechanisms increase
Solution Approach 1:
The connection mechanism is segmented into simple, discrete engagement features on both the water container and housing, allowing for easy tool-free attachment and detachment while minimizing structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The water container is designed with self-aligning and self-latching features that enable users to easily attach and detach it without requiring tools or complex procedures. The container's own geometry facilitates proper positioning and secure connection.
3Reliability
If the device is designed with larger dimensions for stability and functionality, then operational reliability is improved, but packaging material usage and environmental impact increase
Solution Approach 1:
The device transitions from a static, fixed configuration to a dynamic, reconfigurable state where the water container can be removed and stored. This dynamic design allows the device to adapt between operational and storage modes, reducing packaging requirements without compromising functional reliability during use.
Solution Approach 2:
The water container nests within the housing structure during storage and transportation, minimizing the overall volume and reducing packaging material requirements. This nesting capability maintains device reliability by ensuring proper positioning and protection of components during logistics.
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 5
AI summary
The beverage producing device comprises a housing (3) and a removable water container (9) which is designed to be connected to the outside of said housing (3) in an operative position, when the device is in use. The water container is further designed to be recoverable in an inoperative position inside a recovery seat (27) formed by said housing or parts thereof, when the device is not in use.