Drink Blender Water Nozzle Layout for Accurate Weight Dispensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drink mixing machines require users to manually estimate the amount of liquids, particularly water, which can lead to inconsistencies in frozen or slush-like drinks, especially in busy environments like bars and restaurants, as they lack the ability to dispense precise amounts of liquid by weight.
Innovation Solution
A machine that includes a blending assembly with a pitcher and an ice dispensing assembly, featuring a chute with a nozzle for liquid dispensing, which automatically adds a predetermined weight of liquid, such as water, and ice to the pitcher, ensuring accurate measurements without interfering with weight calculations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If users manually estimate the amount of liquids to the pitcher, then the operation is simple and quick, but the drink consistency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-measurement of liquid volume using the existing pitcher weight sensor. The controller automatically calculates liquid amount by comparing pitcher weight before and after liquid addition, eliminating the need for separate measuring tools or manual estimation while ensuring consistent measurements.
2Measurement precision
If a separate liquid dispensing system is added to the pitcher, then liquid dispensing precision is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pitcher serves multiple functions: it is both the mixing container and the measurement device. The weight sensor in the base measures both ice and liquid weights, and the controller uses this data to track cumulative drink weight. This multi-functionality eliminates separate measuring devices while maintaining precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller acts as an intermediary that processes weight sensor data to determine liquid amounts. Instead of adding complex mechanical dispensing mechanisms, the system uses the controller to calculate and track liquid volume based on weight changes, simplifying the overall device architecture.
3Quantity of substance
If water is dispensed into the pitcher during weight measurement of ice, then the liquid amount is controlled, but the weight measurement accuracy of ice is affected
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary measurement of ice weight before liquid is added. The controller tracks the weight of ice in the pitcher before liquid dispensing begins, establishing a baseline measurement. This sequential approach ensures ice weight is recorded accurately before the complicating factor of liquid addition.
Solution Approach 2:
The measurement process is segmented into distinct phases: first measuring ice weight, then adding liquid, and finally calculating liquid amount by weight difference. This segmentation allows each measurement to be taken under optimal conditions without interference from other components.
4Device complexity
If the nozzle is positioned inside the chute, then the structure is compact, but the liquid flow may interfere with ice dispensing
Solution Approach 1:
The nozzle is positioned at a specific location within the chute where liquid flow does not interfere with ice dispensing. The liquid is directed toward the back wall of the chute, creating a localized flow path that is spatially separated from the ice flow path. This local optimization allows both functions to coexist in a compact structure.
Data Source
AI summary
A drink making machine (10) includes an ice shaving and dispensing unit (11) which provides a predetermined amount of ice, by weight, through a chute (21) to the pitcher (17) of a blending unit (12). A nozzle (30) is carried by the chute (12) and provides water through a nozzle opening (41) until a predetermined amount of water, by weight, is received by the pitcher (14). The water from the opening (41) is not allowed to directly impinge against the bottom of the pitcher (17). The water from the opening (41) is not allowed to directly impinge against the bottom of the pitcher (17) so that it does not adversely affect the weight measurements being taken.