Refrigerator Dispenser Recess with Movable Conduit for Single-Serve Brewing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Refrigerator appliances lack the capability to efficiently dispense single serve beverages, such as hot beverages, which limits user convenience for making beverages like coffee or tea.
Innovation Solution
A refrigerator appliance with a dispensing assembly that includes a movable outlet conduit and housing, allowing for the integration and operation of a single serve dispenser within the appliance, enabling the flow of liquid into a container for preparing beverages.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a refrigerator appliance includes a traditional dispenser for ice and liquid water, then the appliance can dispense chilled or ambient temperature liquids, but it cannot efficiently dispense single serve hot beverages like coffee or tea
Solution Approach 1:
The single serve dispenser is nested within the existing dispenser recess of the refrigerator appliance. The outlet conduit is positioned within the housing that supports the single serve dispenser, creating a compact integrated structure where components are nested within each other to maximize space utilization while adding new functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The dispenser assembly is designed to accommodate multiple functions: it can dispense chilled liquid water through the outlet conduit, support single serve dispensers for hot beverages, and potentially accommodate different types of beverage containers. The movable outlet conduit allows the same structure to serve different dispensing needs.
2Ease of operation
If the outlet conduit is fixed in position, then the structure is simple and stable, but it cannot properly contact the single serve dispenser which may be positioned at variable locations
Solution Approach 1:
The outlet conduit is made movable rather than fixed, allowing it to adjust its position to properly contact the single serve dispenser. The conduit can move along a defined path to reach the dispenser opening, ensuring reliable liquid transfer while accommodating variations in dispenser positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable outlet conduit acts as an intermediary between the water supply system and the single serve dispenser. It provides a flexible connection that can adapt to different dispenser positions while maintaining the liquid flow path, serving as a mediator that resolves the positioning mismatch between fixed infrastructure and variable dispenser locations.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the housing supporting the single serve dispenser is stationary, then the structure is stable, but it cannot accommodate the movement needed for proper outlet conduit contact
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into distinct functional components: a stationary housing that provides structural support and stability, and a movable outlet conduit that provides the necessary contact capability. This segmentation allows each component to optimize its function - the housing remains stable while the conduit moves to establish contact with the dispenser.
Data Source
AI summary
Refrigerator appliances for use with single serve dispensers, and methods for operating refrigerator appliances, are provided. A refrigerator appliance includes a cabinet defining a chilled chamber for receiving food or beverage items for storage, the cabinet defining an opening for accessing the chilled chamber, and a door mounted to the cabinet at the opening of the cabinet, the door defining a dispenser recess. The refrigerator appliance further includes a dispensing assembly. The dispensing assembly includes an outlet conduit configured for flowing a liquid therefrom, the outlet conduit disposed in the dispenser recess, and a housing for supporting the single serve dispenser, the housing disposed in the dispenser recess. One of the outlet conduit and the housing is movable along a direction towards the other of the outlet conduit and the housing.