Cup Holder Position Sensing for Multi-Size Beverage Dispensers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beverage dispensers fail to ensure optimal beverage quality, particularly for espresso coffee, due to incorrect positioning of receptacles, leading to suboptimal froth formation and potential spatter, as users may not choose the appropriate holder position and distance for the beverage outlet.
Innovation Solution
A beverage dispenser with a cantilever-style receptacle holding part that rotates between deployed and retracted positions, equipped with sensors to detect the holding part's position and alert the user to adjust it correctly, ensuring the ideal distance for beverage dispensing, and an input device for selecting beverage sizes varying from 25 to 1000 ml.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the holder and drip-collecting system is positioned in the retracted position to accommodate larger receptacles, then the adaptability for different cup sizes is improved, but the beverage quality deteriorates due to increased distance from the beverage outlet
Solution Approach 1:
The holder and drip-collecting system is designed to be movable between deployed and retracted positions, allowing dynamic adjustment based on receptacle size. This enables the system to adapt to different cup sizes while maintaining optimal beverage quality by positioning the holder correctly for each beverage type.
Solution Approach 2:
A sensor detects the position of the holder and provides feedback to the control unit. The control unit monitors whether the holder is in the correct position and can alert the user or prevent operation if the position is incorrect, ensuring beverage quality is maintained through position verification.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the holder is positioned far from the beverage outlet to accommodate large receptacles, then the versatility for different beverage sizes is improved, but the beverage preparation quality deteriorates due to suboptimal froth formation and increased spatter risk
Solution Approach 1:
The holder's position is made dynamic rather than fixed, allowing it to be close to the beverage outlet for small beverages (maintaining froth quality and preventing spatter) and retracted for large beverages. This resolves the contradiction between proximity for quality and distance for versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The system determines the required holder position in advance based on the selected beverage type and alerts the user to adjust the holder before dispensing begins. This preliminary positioning ensures optimal beverage quality from the start of dispensing.
3Device complexity
If the holder is fixed in a single position, then the device complexity is reduced, but the adaptability for different receptacle sizes is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of a fixed holder, the system implements a movable holder with two distinct positions (deployed and retracted). This adds minimal complexity while providing significant adaptability for different receptacle sizes, resolving the contradiction between simplicity and versatility.
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
Guarantees optimal beverage quality by ensuring the correct distance between the beverage outlet and receptacle, preventing spatter and maintaining crema quality, while prompting users to position cups correctly for the selected beverage size.
Implementation Method 1
a sensor for detecting the position of the holding part between the first position and the second position
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention concerns a beverage dispenser (1) comprising a base (2) and a holding system that comprises a holding part(3) positionable beneath a beverage outlet (4) in order to accept a first, relatively small receptacle, and being configured and dimensioned to be moveable between a deployed holding position suitable for accepting the small receptacle and a second position in which the holding part is moved at least partly out of the way of the beverage outlet to create an unoccupied space in which a second, larger receptacle can be positioned, in place of the first receptacle, beneath the beverage outlet, wherein the holding system comprises a sensor (8) configured for detecting the position of the holding part between the first position and the second position.