Compact Drop-Stop Dispensing Head for Residue-Free Beverage Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beverage machines face challenges in effectively preventing undesired dripping of liquid residues into the dispensing area after and between serving processes, requiring improved drop management systems that are reliable and efficient.
Innovation Solution
A liquid dispensing machine with a directing device that has a single outlet for dispensing liquid to the user-receptacle and a single inlet for collecting residues, allowing for seamless transition between dispensing and collecting positions, powered by a user-interface member that can be mechanical, hydraulic, or pneumatic, without the need for electric motors, and incorporating a liquid delivery module with a mixing chamber for beverage preparation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a complex motorized drop collector system is used to prevent liquid residues from reaching the dispensing area, then the reliability of drop prevention is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the complex motorized drop collector system entirely. Instead, it uses a simple gravity-based liquid delivery module with a directing device that naturally directs liquid flow to the service area through proper geometric design and positioning, achieving drop prevention without active mechanical components
Solution Approach 2:
The liquid delivery module utilizes gravity and its own structural design to automatically prevent liquid residues from reaching the dispensing area. The directing device and service area positioning create a self-regulating system that directs liquid flow without requiring external motors or control mechanisms
2Ease of operation
If a motorized actuation system is implemented to control the directing device between positions, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The directing device automatically transitions between dispensing and collecting positions through gravity and the natural flow of liquid through the system. The liquid pressure and gravity-driven flow provide the actuation force, eliminating the need for separate motorized actuation systems
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically transitions between states based on liquid flow conditions. The directing device position changes in response to liquid pressure and flow rate, allowing automatic adaptation between dispensing and collecting modes without fixed mechanical actuators
3Ease of repair
If multiple separate components are used for liquid delivery and residue collection, then the ease of repair is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the liquid delivery function and residue collection function into a single integrated liquid delivery module. The same module that delivers liquid to the dispensing area also collects residues through its directing device and service area, reducing component count while maintaining serviceability
Solution Approach 2:
The liquid delivery module serves multiple functions: it delivers liquid during dispensing, directs liquid flow through the directing device, and collects residues in the service area. This multi-functional design reduces overall system complexity while keeping the module itself serviceable
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
The solution ensures reliable and efficient management of liquid flow, preventing residues from reaching the dispensing area and allowing for easy cleaning, reducing the need for complex drop collectors and minimizing residual liquid in the machine.
Implementation Method 1
a liquid delivery module for delivering liquid from a source
Implementation Method 2
delivering liquid from a source... through a directing device which has a dispensing position for directing liquid from the delivery module to a dispensing area
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
A machine (1) for dispensing a dispensable liquid (5) has: a liquid delivery module (10) for delivering the dispensable liquid (5) from a source (50) and a service area (7) for collecting collectable liquid (5' ) from the liquid delivery module (10). The machine further includes a directing device (20) that has a dispensing position for directing said dispensable liquid (5) from the delivery module (10) to a dispensing area (6) and a collecting position for directing collectable liquid (5') from the delivery module (10) to the service area (7). The directing device (20) has only one evacuation portion (21) from which: - the dispensable liquid (5) is evacuated from the directing device (20) to the dispensing area (6) when the directing device (20) is in the dispensing position; and - the collectable liquid (5') is evacuated to the service area (7) when the directing device (20) is in the collecting position.