Movable Cup Support With Drip Recovery for Beverage Dispensers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beverage dispensing machines, such as coffee machines, fail to adapt effectively to containers of different sizes, often resulting in incorrect support positioning and inadequate distance between the beverage outlet and container, leading to potential spills and hygiene issues.
Innovation Solution
A movable support element that adjusts to accommodate both small and large containers by being pushed back when a larger container is placed, ensuring optimal beverage flow and easy maintenance through a modular design with a liquid collection system and locking mechanism controlled by the device's on/off button.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed support element is used for small containers, then the beverage outlet can be positioned close to the container for good crema quality, but the support cannot accommodate larger containers without causing spills or incorrect positioning
Solution Approach 1:
The support element is made movable rather than fixed, allowing it to be repositioned between a deployed position for small containers and a retracted position for large containers. This dynamic adjustment enables the system to adapt to different container sizes while maintaining simple mechanical operation through gravity-based movement and optional locking mechanisms.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple support elements are provided for different container sizes, then adaptability is improved, but the device complexity and user manipulation requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
A single support element performs multiple functions by serving both small and large containers through position adjustment. The support element acts as both a support surface for small containers in the deployed position and a stop element for large containers in the retracted position, eliminating the need for multiple separate support components and simplifying user operation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the support element is made movable to accommodate large containers, then container versatility is improved, but the risk of liquid spilling during position adjustment increases
Solution Approach 1:
The beverage dispensing cycle is completed and the beverage is fully dispensed before the support element is moved to a different position. This preliminary completion of the liquid containment function eliminates the risk of spilling during position adjustment, as no liquid is present in the outlet when the support element moves.
Solution Approach 2:
The support element automatically returns to its deployed position under gravity when not locked in the retracted position, ensuring it is ready for the next small container without requiring user intervention. This self-service mechanism reduces the chance of human error in positioning while maintaining reliability.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If a droplet collection system is added to maintain cleanliness, then hygiene is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The droplet collection function is merged with the existing support element by providing a collection container that is positioned to receive droplets directly from the beverage outlet. The collection container integrates with the support structure, combining the support function and droplet collection function into a unified system rather than adding separate independent components.
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 solution ensures accurate positioning of containers under the beverage outlet, prevents spills, maintains cleanliness, and simplifies the user experience and maintenance by automatically adjusting the support element and facilitating easy cleaning.
Implementation Method 1
the support element is pushed back when a larger container is placed
Implementation Method 2
the support element is arranged in articulation on the device so as to be able to be pushed back at least partially when positioning a larger container and to fall by gravity under the drink outlet when the user removes said container
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The device (1) has a base (2), and a drop recuperation and support system (9), which has a support element (10) to receive a small size container. The element is movable along a deployed support position, to receive the container, and a partially moved position, to push the element so as to liberate a free space permitting to position a large size container in the place of the former container, below an outlet (7) of a beverage. The system has a liquid storage container receiving the liquid recuperated by the element during the moved position, where the element and the container form a slide.