Circular Actuation Interface for Beverage Dispenser Ergonomic Control

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems for distributing edible products, particularly beverages, lack an ergonomic user interface for controlling the discharge of products against gravity, which affects the quality and safety of beverage preparation.

Innovation Solution

A system with an interface disposition around the axis of discharge, functionally connected to control means, allowing users to control and regulate product discharge through contact gestures, including rotation movements, and featuring a placement disposition with retention means for secure positioning of recipients, enabling pressurized injection of beverages opposite to gravity through a base region.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If the discharge of edible product is performed along a direction opposite to gravity through a wall of the recipient, then the beverage preparation quality is improved, but the operation safety and reliability deteriorate due to the complex placement disposition requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebeverage preparation qualityVSAvoidoperation safety

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional discharge direction by discharging the beverage through the base of the recipient upward opposite to gravity, rather than through the top downward. This inversion requires the recipient to be placed with its base on the placement disposition, creating the need for multiple placement positions to ensure correct orientation and operational safety.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Device complexity

If the recipient placement disposition is fixed with a single position, then the device complexity is reduced, but the operation safety and reliability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveplacement disposition structureVSAvoidoperation safety

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The placement disposition is designed with multiple dynamic positions (first and second positions) that can adapt to different recipient orientations. This dynamic structure allows the system to accommodate the inverted discharge configuration while maintaining operational safety, resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If the user interface for controlling discharge is integrated around the discharge axis, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser interaction ergonomicsVSAvoidinterface disposition structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control interface is merged with the placement disposition and integrated around the discharge axis. This combination allows the user to control the discharge operation ergonomically while the interface remains structurally unified with the existing placement mechanism, minimizing additional complexity while improving ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

Enhances user interaction and control over beverage discharge, ensuring ergonomic operation and reliable retention of recipients during the preparation process, improving the quality and safety of beverage preparation.

Implementation Method 1

injection pressurized of the discharge flow of edible product, for example a beverage, to the interior of the recipient along a direction opposite to the direction of the gravity force

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressurized injection: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentEP4186397A1Systems and processes of distribution of edible products to a recipient regulated by a circular disposition

Publication Date: 2023.05.31 NOVADELTA - COMÉRCIO E INDÚSTRIA DE CAFÉS UNIPESSOAL LDA

Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6

AI summary

The present invention discloses systems and processes of distribution of edible products, such as for example beverages, in particular a system comprising a product recipient (1, 1') adapted so that can be operatively placed on a placement disposition (2) that is operatively associated with an apparatus (3) for distribution of edible products that presents control means (5) adapted for controlling the operation of distribution of edible products, whereby said apparatus (3) further presents an interface disposition (7) including an actuation interface (71) associated with said placement disposition (2), and adapted so that provides input to said control means (5) according to the handling of said actuation interface (71), including by means of a contact gesture on a contact surface thereof in a curved or circular-like movement around a reference axis (X).