Outlet device and light guiding device for a hot drink machine
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fully automatic coffee machines face challenges in providing reliable and contamination-resistant illumination for the beverage outlet area, especially with limited installation space and the need for effective lighting that can adapt to environmental conditions.
Innovation Solution
A light guide device that is movable and integrated with the outlet device, using a linear light guide formed from materials like polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), with a U-shaped light output end and a cover element to protect the light guide from contamination, allowing for uniform illumination of the beverage container storage section and the ability to emit status signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the light guide is permanently unprotected and freestanding in the outlet, then the light guide can be easily installed and maintained, but the light guide is vulnerable to contamination by beverage splashes and rising steam
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies this principle by enclosing the light guide within a protective housing or shell structure. The housing acts as a barrier that protects the light guide from beverage splashes and steam while still allowing the light to pass through. This resolves the contradiction by providing contamination protection without significantly complicating the installation process, as the housing can be designed as an integrated component.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the light guide is fixed and rigid within the device, then the light guide structure is stable, but the light guide cannot move with a motorized, adjustable spout to ensure optimal illumination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies this principle by making the light guide device movable rather than fixed. The light guide is coupled to the spout in such a way that it can move together with the spout during its adjustment range. This dynamic configuration allows the light guide to maintain optimal illumination positioning while the spout moves, resolving the contradiction between structural stability and adaptability to movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies this principle by combining the light guide device with the spout assembly. The light guide is integrated into the spout structure or coupled to it in a way that they move as a unified system. This merging allows the light guide to automatically follow the spout's movement without requiring separate adjustment mechanisms, maintaining stability while providing adaptability.
3Device complexity
If the light input point is located some distance from the light output point due to space constraints, then the installation is simpler, but the light output area is reduced and illumination is less even
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies this principle by using an elongated, linear light guide structure that extends over a longer distance. Instead of concentrating light output at a single point near the input, the light guide distributes light along its length, creating a linear light outlet. This dimensional change from point-to-point to extended linear geometry allows the light to cover a larger area more evenly, compensating for the increased distance between input and output points.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies this principle by designing the light guide with enhanced light extraction characteristics at specific locations. The light guide may have varying extraction efficiencies along its length, with higher extraction toward the end farther from the light input. This local quality adjustment ensures more uniform light distribution across the illumination area, compensating for the distance-related light intensity decay.
4Loss of information
If a separate display is used to show device information, then the information display is reliable, but the device complexity increases and space is consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies this principle by making the light guide serve multiple functions. In addition to its primary illumination function, the light guide is used to display device status information through different light patterns, colors, or intensities. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for a separate display device, reducing overall system complexity and space requirements while maintaining reliable information display capabilities.
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 provides reliable, contamination-resistant, and adaptable lighting that can illuminate a large area, including the cup storage section, while being easy to clean and maintain, and can display device information without a separate display, enhancing the user experience and operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
the light guide device is designed with a linear light outlet to guide light from at least one light source arranged in the dispensing device to the beverage container storage section
Implementation Method 2
the light output can be area-wide, so that, in particular, a cup resting area on a drip tray can be illuminated evenly and over a large area
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a light guide device (240) for an outlet device (230) for a hot beverage machine. The outlet device (230) can be moved relative to a body of the hot beverage machine and to a beverage container storage section of the hot beverage machine. The light-guiding device (240) is designed so that it can be fastened to the outlet device (230), the light-guiding device (240) being able to move with the outlet device (230). The light guide device (240) is designed to guide light from at least one light source arranged in the outlet device (230) to the beverage container storage section.