Sliding Coffee Dispenser Extension for Variable Cup Heights
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current automatic coffee machines with fixed dispensers are not adaptable to varying cup heights, leading to undesirable spillage and risk of burns, and adjustable dispensers require additional space and risk damage to flexible tubes.
Innovation Solution
A hydraulic circuit with a fixed terminal piece and a dispenser having a hollow body with a sliding extension that adjusts dispensing distance without increasing machine dimensions, eliminating the need for flexible tubes and simplifying height adjustment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed dispenser is used, then the machine structure is simple, but the dispenser cannot adapt to various cup heights causing spillage and burns
Solution Approach 1:
The dispenser body is made movable along the vertical axis through a sliding mechanism guided by lateral walls, allowing dynamic adjustment of dispensing height to match different cup positions while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure
Solution Approach 2:
The dispenser is divided into a fixed terminal piece connected to the hydraulic circuit and a movable dispenser body that can slide independently, allowing the adaptable portion to be separated from the fixed connection point
2Adaptability or versatility
If an adjustable dispenser with movable attachment zone is used, then adaptability to cup heights is achieved, but additional space inside the machine is required
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustment mechanism utilizes the vertical dimension for height adjustment while the lateral walls provide guidance in the horizontal plane, allowing the dispenser to move vertically without requiring additional horizontal space inside the machine body
3Adaptability or versatility
If an adjustable dispenser with flexible tube is used, then height adjustment is possible, but the flexible tube is at risk of damage during adjustment
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible tube is extracted from the adjustment mechanism entirely. Instead, a rigid hydraulic connection is maintained at the fixed terminal piece while the dispenser body moves independently, eliminating the flexible tube from the moving parts and thus eliminating the risk of damage during height adjustment
4Object-affected harmful factors
If a height-adjustable dispenser is implemented, then safe dispensing is achieved, but the adjustment system becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The dispenser body serves itself by sliding along the guided lateral walls using its own weight and simple mechanical interaction, without requiring complex motors, sensors, or control systems. The hydraulic connection automatically maintains pressure while the body moves, and the system self-regulates through the mechanical guidance of the lateral walls
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~5
Figure 6~7
AI summary
The automatic coffee machine comprising a hydraulic circuit having a fixed terminal piece (5) for supplying water and/or steam and that is accessible from the front wall (1) of the machine at a distance above the resting surface (4) of the machine, and a dispenser (6) that extends frontally of the front wall (1), the dispenser (6) comprising a hollow body having a first longitudinal portion (7) and a second longitudinal portion (8) that is rigidly connected to the first portion (7) and developing along an axis (L) transverse to that (M) of the first longitudinal portion (7), the first portion (7) having a first longitudinal end conformed for a rigid, removable hydraulic and mechanical connection with the terminal piece (5) and a second longitudinal end distal from the front wall (1) wherefrom the second portion (8) extends, the second longitudinal portion (8) slidingly supporting along the axis thereof an extension (11) for regulating the dispensing distance from the resting surface (4).