Flow Meter Bayonet Assembly for Correct Outlet Orientation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flow meters for automatic beverage preparing and dispensing apparatus require complex assembly and testing to ensure the outlet connection is oriented correctly, leading to potential human errors and increased time and skill requirements, especially when assembled by hand.
Innovation Solution
A flow meter design featuring a radially projecting tooth on the lower part and a corresponding slot on the upper part, allowing the upper part to connect in only one predetermined orientation, ensuring the outlet connection is consistently oriented correctly, while maintaining the ability to position the outlet in multiple directions relative to the inlet.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the outlet connection is made detachably interconnectable by a bayonet catch allowing four mutually symmetrically displaced positions, then the outlet connection can be oriented in different directions for space-saving arrangement, but the user is required to disassemble and reassemble the flow meter to ensure correct orientation, increasing assembly time and skill requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an asymmetric feature (radially outwardly projecting tooth on the lower part and corresponding slot on the upper part) into the otherwise symmetric bayonet catch connection system. This asymmetric element breaks the rotational symmetry, allowing the outlet connection to be oriented in different directions through multiple possible slot positions while simultaneously ensuring that only one specific orientation is mechanically correct for engagement. The tooth-slot engagement creates a unique key-position relationship that guides proper assembly without requiring user disassembly and reassembly to test different orientations.
2Ease of manufacture
If the flow meter is assembled by hand to accommodate production flexibility, then automated manufacturing means are not required, but human error can cause the outlet connection to be oriented in a wrong direction within a production batch
Solution Approach 1:
The asymmetric tooth-slot engagement mechanism serves as a self-guiding assembly feature that automatically ensures correct orientation during manual assembly. The physical geometry of the tooth and slot creates a unique fit that only occurs in the correct orientation, making the assembly process self-correcting. Even if a worker attempts to assemble the flow meter incorrectly, the asymmetric features prevent proper engagement, providing tactile and visual feedback that guides the worker to the correct orientation without requiring training or attention to complex assembly instructions.
3Productivity
If the outlet connection position is fixed during assembly, then the flow meter can be quickly installed, but the outlet connection may not be oriented in the desired direction relative to the suction pump inlet
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates multiple pre-positioned slot locations in the upper part, each corresponding to a different angular orientation of the outlet connection. During assembly, the worker simply needs to align the tooth with the desired slot position before engagement, and the connection is immediately secured in that predetermined orientation. This preliminary positioning of multiple possible engagement points allows the outlet connection to be oriented in different directions relative to the suction pump inlet while maintaining quick assembly speed, as no additional adjustment or reassembly is needed after the initial connection.
Data Source
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AI summary
The flow meter is intended for measuring a liquid flow for an automatic beverage preparing and dispensing apparatus, and comprises a measuring casing formed of a lower part with an inlet connection and an upper part with an outlet connection. Within the measuring casing a measuring body is rotatably supported for determining the liquid flow. The upper part and the lower part of the measuring casing are detachably interconnectable by a bayonet catch formed of a number of radially outwardly projecting hooks positioned on the periphery of the lower part and a corresponding number of locking receptacles positioned on the upper part of the measuring casing. The flow meter is provided with a radially outwardly projecting tooth positioned on the periphery of the lower part and with a corresponding slot formed on the upper part for engagement with the tooth, whereby the upper part is connectable to the lower part in only one position and orientation of the slot relative to the tooth.