Dispensing Funnel Geometry for Stable Frozen Drink Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing frozen drink makers for home use face challenges in predicting the thickness and flow rate of dispensed drink products due to variable ingredient combinations and processing temperatures, leading to unpredictable dispensing and potential spills.
Innovation Solution
A dispensing funnel with a specific geometry that directs the drink product vertically downward at a controlled angle, featuring a wider dispenser opening to ensure consistent and visually appealing dispensing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a simple spout dispenser is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the dispensing precision and consistency of drink thickness and flow rate deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
A funnel-shaped guide structure is introduced as an intermediary component between the spout and the dispensed drink. This guide structure shapes and directs the drink flow, ensuring consistent thickness and preventing splashing, thereby improving dispensing precision without adding complex mechanical mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The geometry of the funnel guide structure is optimized with specific parameters: an included angle between 15-45 degrees and a length-to-diameter ratio between 0.5-2.0. These parameter optimizations ensure the drink flows at the correct angle and maintains consistent thickness, resolving the contradiction between simplicity and precision.
2Ease of operation
If the dispenser opening diameter is increased, then the ease of operation and visibility are improved, but the flow rate control and thickness consistency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The dispenser opening diameter is optimized to be between 5-20% larger than the spout diameter. This parameter change improves visibility and ease of operation while the funnel guide structure compensates to maintain thickness consistency through its geometric shaping of the flow.
Solution Approach 2:
The funnel guide structure creates different local conditions along the flow path: the wider dispenser opening provides visibility and ease of operation, while the angled guide walls shape the flow to maintain consistent thickness. Each local area serves its specific function optimally.
3Productivity
If the funnel angle is steep, then the dispensing speed is increased, but the drink thickness and consistency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The funnel guide structure includes an optimized angle parameter between 15-45 degrees. This parameter optimization balances dispensing speed with thickness consistency, allowing the drink to flow quickly while maintaining uniform thickness through the geometric shaping provided by the guide structure.
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 funnel enhances the predictability and aesthetic appeal of the dispensing process by stabilizing the flow rate and thickness of the dispensed drink, reducing spills and improving user experience.
Implementation Method 1
a first region configured to direct a flow of the drink product at an angle relative to a front panel of the frozen drink maker, and a second region configured to direct the flow of the drink product in an at least substantially vertically downward direction
Data Source
AI summary
A funnel for covering a dispenser assembly of a frozen drink maker has an upper portion attachable to the dispenser assembly. The upper portion is configured to allow the dispenser assembly to selectively uncover a spout of the frozen drink maker to dispense a drink product from the spout in a horizontal direction. A lower portion of the funnel extends downward from the upper portion. The lower portion includes an inner wall defining a channel. The channel has a first region configured to direct a flow of the drink product at an angle relative to a front panel of the frozen drink maker, and a second region configured to direct the flow of the drink product parallel to the front panel in a substantially vertically downward direction.