Movable Container Support With Drip Recuperation for Beverage Dispensers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beverage dispensing machines, such as coffee machines, fail to adapt effectively to containers of different sizes, often resulting in incorrect support alignment and distance between the beverage outlet and container, leading to potential spills and hygiene issues, and are complex to use and maintain.
Innovation Solution
A coffee machine with a movable support element that adjusts to accommodate small and large containers by rotating or sliding, ensuring optimal beverage flow and drip collection, integrated with a modular drip tray system for easy maintenance and cleaning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple support elements are placed in superposition to adapt to different container sizes, then the device can accommodate various container sizes, but the device complexity increases and the ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The support element is made movable rather than fixed, allowing it to be pushed back by the container itself to the correct position. This dynamic adjustment eliminates the need for multiple fixed support elements and manual manipulation, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The container itself performs the function of positioning the support element by pushing it back to the correct location. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for complex multi-element support systems and manual adjustment by the user.
2Manufacturing precision
If the support element is fixed at a predetermined position, then the beverage outlet-container distance is optimized for small containers, but large containers cannot be properly accommodated
Solution Approach 1:
The support element transitions from a fixed position to a movable one that can be pushed back by large containers. This allows the system to maintain precise positioning for small containers while automatically adapting to accommodate larger containers of varying sizes.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the support element is made movable to accommodate large containers, then the container size adaptability improves, but the risk of incorrect positioning and spills increases
Solution Approach 1:
The container itself positions the support element by pushing it back to the correct location. This self-positioning mechanism ensures accurate placement without requiring additional control systems or manual intervention, maintaining reliability while enabling adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The support element's movement is automatically stopped when it reaches the correct position, determined by the container's dimensions. This inherent feedback mechanism prevents over-positioning and ensures accurate placement for both small and large containers.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If a liquid collection tank is integrated with the support element, then the drip collection effectiveness improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid collection tank is merged with the support element to form an integrated assembly. This combination improves drip collection effectiveness while avoiding the complexity of separate, independent systems by creating a unified structure that functions as a single unit.
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 allows for seamless adaptation to various container sizes, maintaining optimal beverage flow and cleanliness, reducing the risk of spills and simplifying user interaction and maintenance processes.
Implementation Method 1
the support element is arranged in articulation on the device so as to be able to be pushed back at least partially when positioning a larger container and to fall by gravity under the drink outlet when the user removes said container
Implementation Method 2
a liquid collection tank which is arranged to receive the liquid recovered by the support element when the latter is positioned in the pushed back position
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The device (1) has a base (2), and a drop recuperation and support system (9), which has a support element (10) to receive a small size container. The element is movable along a deployed support position, to receive the container, and a partially moved position, to push the element so as to liberate a free space permitting to position a large size container in the place of the former container, below an outlet (7) of a beverage. The system has a liquid storage container receiving the liquid recuperated by the element during the moved position, where the element and the container form a slide.