Rotating Water Chute for Precise Cup Positioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional water purifiers with limited directional movement of the water outlet module are inconvenient for use, particularly when dealing with containers of varying sizes and orientations, leading to issues like water splashing, inaccurate discharge, and potential contamination from foreign materials.

Innovation Solution

A water purifier with a water chute that can rotate and adjust in multiple directions, including forward and backward, upward and downward, and left and right, allowing for precise positioning of the discharge nozzle relative to the container, minimizing splashing and contamination risks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the water outlet module rotates only in the left and right direction, then the water outlet port can be positioned horizontally, but the water cup may collide against the water outlet module when the water cup length is larger than the water outlet port height, causing damage or falling

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater outlet positioningVSAvoidwater cup safety

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The water outlet module is designed with both horizontal rotation capability and vertical movement capability, transforming from a static single-degree-of-freedom system to a dynamic two-degree-of-freedom system. This allows the module to adapt its position dynamically to accommodate different water cup sizes and prevent collisions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention adds the vertical dimension to the traditional horizontal rotation mechanism. The water outlet module can now move not only left and right but also upward and downward, creating a three-dimensional positioning capability that resolves the collision problem with tall water cups

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Ease of operation

If the water outlet module moves only upward and downward, then the position can be adjusted vertically, but the water outlet port cannot move downward below the upper end of the container, limiting discharge accuracy

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevertical position adjustmentVSAvoidwater outlet positioning precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system combines vertical movement with horizontal rotation to create a dynamic positioning mechanism. When vertical movement alone cannot achieve the desired position (below the container upper end), the module can rotate horizontally to extend the water outlet port laterally, achieving precise positioning through coordinated motion in multiple dimensions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The water outlet module integrates multiple functions: vertical movement for height adjustment, horizontal rotation for lateral positioning, and the ability to work with containers of various sizes and orientations. This multi-functional design overcomes the limitation of fixed vertical-only positioning

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If guide holes or guide grooves are formed in the front surface of the main body for upward-and-downward movement, then the water outlet module can move vertically, but foreign materials may be introduced into the main body through these guide structures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevertical movement capabilityVSAvoidforeign material contamination

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of opening guide holes in the front surface of the main body, the invention inverts the guide structure by placing guide holes in the rear surface of the water outlet module. This reversal allows vertical movement while protecting the main body interior from foreign material contamination, as the guide holes are positioned away from the front opening

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The guide holes are positioned in the rear surface of the water outlet module, which acts as an intermediary structure between the main body and the external environment. This intermediary placement allows necessary movement functionality while preventing direct exposure of the main body interior to contaminants

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Device complexity

If the water outlet module length cannot be adjusted in the forward and backward direction, then the structure is simpler, but the water outlet port cannot be accurately located at the inlet of containers with large volume and small neck portion, causing water scattering

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater outlet module structureVSAvoidwater outlet positioning accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The water outlet module is segmented into adjustable components, allowing the length to be modified in the forward and backward direction. This segmentation enables precise positioning of the water outlet port to match various container inlet sizes, preventing water scattering while maintaining manageable structural complexity through modular design

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS11738984B2Water purifier

Publication Date: 2023.08.29 LG ELECTRONICS INC

AI summary

A water purifier includes a main body including a water supply pipe provided therein and a water chute connected to the main body to discharge drinking water. The water chute is capable of rotating about the main body in a left and right direction and has a length adjustable in a forward and backward direction and an upward and downward direction.