Rotary Beverage Cock Layout for Compact Home Dispenser Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional beverage dispensers are too large and bulky for home use, making them difficult to store and use in limited spaces, such as home refrigerators, and can cause spills and damage when stored.
Innovation Solution
A compact dispenser design featuring a cock mechanism with a lever, rotary valve, and fixed valve that allows for adjustable positioning to facilitate storage and use, including a grooved packing to prevent liquid leakage and a discharge pipe inclination for smooth pouring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a large dispenser is used to ensure sufficient beverage capacity, then the beverage storage capacity is improved, but the dispenser becomes difficult to store in limited home spaces
Solution Approach 1:
The dispenser is divided into a container part and a separate cock part that can be detached. The cock part containing the valve mechanism can be removed and stored separately, allowing the main container to be stored in compact spaces while maintaining full beverage capacity when assembled.
Solution Approach 2:
The cock mechanism incorporates a rotary shaft that can rotate between a first position (for beverage discharge) and a second position (for storage). This dynamic positioning allows the dispenser to adapt between operational and storage states, optimizing space utilization.
2Strength
If a bulky dispenser structure is used to ensure durability, then the structural strength is improved, but the dispenser occupies excessive storage space
Solution Approach 1:
The dispenser is segmented into modular components (container part and cock part) that can be stored separately. This allows the use of structurally robust components without requiring the entire assembly to occupy large storage space, as parts can be detached and stored compactly.
3Ease of operation
If the lever is fixed in a specific position for ease of operation, then the ease of operation is improved, but the lever interferes with storage in limited spaces
Solution Approach 1:
The lever is connected to a rotary shaft that enables it to rotate between different positions. During operation, the lever can be positioned for optimal user access and control. During storage, the lever can be rotated to a second position where it does not protrude or interfere with compact storage arrangements, thus resolving the conflict between operational ease and storage efficiency.
4Ease of manufacture
If the fixed valve is fixed at a single position, then the manufacturing simplicity is improved, but the dispenser cannot adapt to different storage configurations
Solution Approach 1:
The fixed valve is equipped with a rotary mechanism that allows it to be positioned at multiple angular orientations around the rotary shaft. This enables the dispenser to adapt to different storage configurations and orientations while maintaining a relatively simple valve body structure that can be manufactured using standard processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve mechanism is designed to perform multiple functions: controlling beverage flow during operation and adapting to various storage positions during non-use. This multi-functionality is achieved through the rotary positioning capability that allows the same valve structure to serve different spatial requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
A dispenser for discharging beverage can comprise a cock configured to control discharge of the beverage; a lever connected to a rotary shaft of the cock; a rotary valve connected to the rotary shaft and defining a rotary interspace configured to rotate together with the rotary shaft; and a fixed valve fixed to a cock body of the cock and defining a fixed hole configured to not move even when the rotary shaft is rotated; wherein the dispenser is configured to discharge the beverage when the lever is rotated to overlap a position of the rotary interspace and the fixed hole; and wherein the cock is configured to fix the fixed valve at one of a first position and a second position, the second position being different from the first position.