Locking cup support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Beverage dispensing machines often have a large footprint and are not easily movable, making them inconvenient for placement in various environments, and existing configurations do not provide an ergonomic solution for accommodating different cup sizes during beverage dispensing.
Innovation Solution
A beverage dispensing machine with a movable cup support system that allows for horizontal translation between positions for small and large cups, integrated with a service unit and magnetic connection means for secure positioning, enabling efficient operation and compact design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the machine has a fixed cup support configuration, then the structure is simple, but it cannot accommodate different cup sizes efficiently
Solution Approach 1:
The cup support body is made movable along the front face of the housing, allowing it to dynamically adjust its position between a first position for small cups and a second position for large cups. This dynamic configuration enables the same structure to accommodate different cup sizes efficiently without requiring multiple fixed support structures.
2Area of stationary object
If the machine components are integrated to reduce footprint, then the machine occupies less space, but the service unit becomes harder to access
Solution Approach 1:
The movable cup support body serves a dual function: it maintains a compact machine footprint when integrated along the front face, and it can be moved out of the way to provide easy access to the service unit. The support body's ability to move between positions allows the machine to switch between a compact integrated state and an accessible service state.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the cup support is movable to accommodate different cup sizes, then versatility is improved, but the positioning precision may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
Magnetic connection means are introduced as an intermediary mechanism to ensure precise positioning of the cup support body at its different positions. The magnetic connection provides accurate and stable positioning for both small and large cup configurations, eliminating positioning errors that might otherwise occur with simple movable structures.
4Length of moving object
If the machine is designed with minimal depth requirements, then space utilization is improved, but the internal component arrangement becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The cup support body moves along the front face of the housing in a horizontal direction, utilizing the front-to-back dimension efficiently. This allows the machine to maintain minimal depth while still providing the functionality of accommodating different cup sizes, as the movement occurs along the existing depth axis rather than requiring additional space.
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 can be placed in a variety of settings with minimal depth requirements and efficiently handles different cup sizes without compromising functionality, enhancing user convenience and space utilization.
Implementation Method 1
magnetic connection means for secure positioning
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3a~3d
Figure 4~7
AI summary
A machine (1) for dispensing a beverage (84) has: an external housing (10,30,30',40,50,60) having an external front face (10); a beverage outlet (11) located on the external front face (10); a seat (15) for receiving a removable service unit (16) via an opening (15a) in the external front face (10); and a movable user-receptacle support body (65) that is movable between a first position for placing on a upper placement surface (66) of the body (65) a short user-receptacle (3) under the outlet (11) and a second position for placing a large user-receptacle (4) under the outlet (11). The support body (65) is directly or indirectly connected to the external front face (10) and located in front thereof in the first and second positions. The service unit (16) is prevented from being removed or inserted into the seat (15) by the support body (65) when adjacent to and in front of the opening (15a): in the first position of the body (15a), the service unit (16) being removable or insertable into the seat (15) when the support body (65) is in the second position; or in the second position of the body (15a), the service unit (16) being removable or insertable into the seat (15) when the support body (65) is in the first position. The support body (65) is movable horizontally in translation from the first position in front of the external front face (10) to the second position in front of the external front face (10) and vice versa.