Movable Cup Support With Fastening for Spill-Stable Dispensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Beverage dispensing machines often struggle to securely support user-recipients of varying sizes under the beverage outlet, leading to instability and potential spills, as existing systems rely on loose positioning and end stops that do not provide adequate security or feedback to the user.
Innovation Solution
A movable user-recipient support system with fastening means, such as magnetic fasteners or locks, that securely position cups of different sizes under the outlet, preventing unwanted movement and providing sensory feedback to the user, ensuring stability during filling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a movable cup support is used to accommodate different cup sizes, then the adaptability of the system is improved, but the stability and security of cup positioning deteriorates due to loose positioning and lack of fastening
Solution Approach 1:
The cup support is designed as a movable component that can shift vertically along the dispensing machine to accommodate different cup sizes. The support transitions from a static fixed position to a dynamic adjustable position, allowing it to adapt to various cup dimensions while maintaining secure positioning through fastening means at each stop location.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates sensory feedback mechanisms that provide tactile or audible confirmation when the cup support reaches its designated positioned stop. This feedback ensures the user knows the support is securely fastened in the correct position, enhancing reliability while maintaining adaptability for different cup sizes.
2Device complexity
If end stops are used to limit support movement, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to lack of sensory feedback to the user
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning system incorporates sensory feedback mechanisms that provide tactile or audible confirmation when the cup support reaches its designated positioned stop. This feedback ensures the user knows the support is securely fastened in the correct position, enhancing ease of operation without significantly increasing device complexity.
3Reliability
If manual fastening actions are required to secure the support, then the reliability of cup positioning is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to additional manual steps
Solution Approach 1:
The cup support system incorporates automatic fastening means that securely lock the support in position without requiring additional manual actions from the user. The system serves itself by automatically engaging fastening mechanisms when the support reaches the designated position, maintaining reliability while improving ease of operation.
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 stable positioning of user-recipients of all sizes, preventing spills and enhancing user experience by automatically securing the support in place, eliminating the need for additional manual actions and providing a secure, stable platform for beverage dispensing.
Implementation Method 1
fastening means, such as magnetic fasteners or locks, that securely position cups of different sizes under the outlet
Data Source
Figure 1~3
AI summary
A machine (1) for dispensing a beverage (50) has: an outlet (4) for dispensing said beverage; a user-recipient support (5) movable within such machine from a position for supporting a smaller user-recipient (51) under the outlet to a position for placing a larger user-recipient (52) under the outlet; and means for stopping movement of the user-recipient support in at least one of said positions. The stopping means comprise a means (57, 58) for fastening the user-recipient support in said at least one of said positions.