Dual Cup Support with Oscillating Surfaces for Height Adaptation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing coffee machine supports for cups lack adaptability in height adjustment, requiring complex adjustments to accommodate different cup sizes, which complicates the machine's design and increases costs.
Innovation Solution
A support system with a first and second resting surface that oscillate about an orthogonal axis, allowing for easy height adjustment without altering the dispensing spout height, comprising a tray with a fixed bottom surface and a hinged top surface with grill structures for liquid discharge.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the height of the dispensing spout is adjusted to accommodate different cup sizes, then the machine can produce different types of coffee, but the machine's structure becomes more complex and production costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The support system incorporates a movable top resting surface that can oscillate between a horizontal position and an inclined position. This dynamic adjustment allows the support to adapt to different cup heights without requiring the entire machine structure to be adjustable, thereby resolving the contradiction between versatility and structural complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The support system is divided into separate components: a fixed bottom resting surface and a movable top resting surface. This segmentation allows independent adjustment of the top surface while keeping the base structure simple, enabling adaptability to different cup sizes without increasing overall machine complexity
2Adaptability or versatility
If the height of the resting surface is adjusted to accommodate different cup sizes, then the machine can produce different types of coffee, but the machine's production costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The oscillating mechanism uses simple mechanical elements (hinge joint and spring) to create dynamic height adjustment, avoiding complex motorized systems. This keeps manufacturing costs low while providing the necessary adaptability for different coffee types
Solution Approach 2:
The spring-loaded oscillating mechanism automatically adjusts to different cup heights through user interaction, eliminating the need for complex control systems or multiple manual adjustment mechanisms, thereby reducing production costs while maintaining versatility
Data Source
Figure 1~4
Figure 5
AI summary
The support (3) comprises a first resting surface (13) and a second resting surface (7), which can be set on top of one another at different heights.