Easily insertable cup support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beverage dispensing machines lack an ergonomic and easily assembled/disassembled cup support, which can lead to instability during beverage preparation, especially when the machine vibrates, causing potential disconnection of the cup support from the machine body.
Innovation Solution
A beverage dispensing machine with a cup support system featuring a plug-and-socket connection mechanism, where the connection parts are secured by magnetic constraints and gravity, allowing for easy assembly and disassembly, and featuring a design that prevents disconnection due to vibrations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a fixed cup support is used, then stability during beverage preparation is improved, but ease of assembly and disassembly deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The cup support system is divided into separate components: a machine body with a connection element and a removable support element with a corresponding connection element. This segmentation allows the support to be easily assembled and disassembled while maintaining stability during use through the connection elements that engage with each other.
Solution Approach 2:
Connection elements act as intermediaries between the machine body and the support element. These elements facilitate easy assembly and disassembly while providing stable connection during beverage preparation, resolving the contradiction between fixed stability and removable ease.
2Ease of operation
If a removable cup support is used, then ease of assembly and disassembly is improved, but reliability during vibration deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Connection elements serve as intermediaries that provide both easy removability and vibration resistance. The design allows simple assembly/disassembly while the engagement mechanism ensures reliable connection during machine vibration through proper geometric fitting and engagement features.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection elements incorporate curved or rounded features that facilitate easy insertion and removal while maintaining secure engagement. The curved geometry allows smooth assembly/disassembly motion while providing stable mechanical connection during operation.
3Reliability
If a complex connection mechanism is used, then connection reliability is improved, but device complexity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The connection mechanism is segmented into simple, separate connection elements on the machine body and support. This segmentation avoids complex integrated mechanisms while achieving reliable connection through the interaction of simple geometric features that are easy to manufacture and assemble.
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 machine provides a stable and secure cup support system that prevents undesired disconnection during beverage preparation, ensuring efficient and safe dispensing of beverages, even when the machine is in operation.
Implementation Method 1
the connection parts are secured by magnetic constraints
Implementation Method 2
the connection parts are secured by magnetic constraints and gravity
Data Source
AI summary
A machine (1) for dispensing a beverage (2) includes: a beverage outlet (3) that is located above a dispensing area (4); a machine body or frame (5) having a first connecting part (51) and bearing the beverage outlet (3); and a recipient support (6) having a second connecting part (61) and a support member (62) held by the second connecting part (61). The second connecting part (61) is disconnectably connectable to the first connecting part (51) so that the support member (62) extends into the dispensing area (4) to support a beverage user-recipient (7) under the beverage outlet (3). The first connecting part (51) and the second connecting part (61) have a connection member and a connection receiver arrangement for disconnectably connecting the parts (51,61) such that: the first connecting part forms a connection member and the second connecting part forms a connection receiver; and/or the first connecting part (51) forms a connection receiver and the second connecting part (61) forms a connection member. The connection member is inserted in the connection receiver when the first and second connecting parts (51,61) are connected. The connection member is removed from the connection receiver along a removal direction (51′) when the first and second connecting parts (51,61) are disconnected. The removal direction (51′) has an upwardly directed vertical component (51″) when such machine (1) is in position to dispense the beverage (2).