Beverage Machine Sliding Cover for Space-Saving Ingredient Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beverage preparation machines require significant manual effort and space to open and close the capsule insertion passage, which can be cumbersome and inefficient, especially due to varying dimensional tolerances and temperature-dependent forces.
Innovation Solution
A beverage preparation machine with a manually slidable cover that moves between covering and uncovering positions, utilizing a bistable automatic return device for space-saving operation and user-friendly control, allowing for easy access to the capsule insertion area without the need for extensive pivoting, and integrating a motor for automated processing and transfer configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a pivotable handle is used to cover and uncover the capsule insertion passage, then the passage can be effectively covered and uncovered, but a significant volume of free space adjacent to the machine's housing is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a pivotable handle operating in an arc (rotational dimension) to a slidable cover operating in a linear direction (translational dimension). This dimensional change allows the cover to move between covering and uncovering positions without requiring the radial space needed for pivoting, thus reducing the volume of free space adjacent to the machine housing while maintaining effective passage coverage
2Ease of operation
If manual force is applied to move the movable parts for capsule insertion, then the capsule passage can be opened and closed, but the manual force required varies during closure and opening depending on dimensional tolerances and temperature
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a bistable automatic return device that enables the slidable cover to move between two stable positions (covering and uncovering) automatically without requiring the user to manually overcome varying forces. The device uses spring elements to provide automatic return functionality, allowing the cover to transition smoothly between positions while compensating for force variations caused by dimensional tolerances and temperature changes, thus simplifying the operation for the user
Data Source
AI summary
A machine (1) for preparing a beverage from at least one ingredient (2) comprises: an ingredient processing module (30); an ingredient passage (40) for inserting an ingredient from outside such machine into the ingredient processing module; and a cover (10) forming a user-handle that is manually movable between a position covering the ingredient passage and a position uncovering the ingredient passage. The cover (10) is manually slidable, in particular translationally slidable, from the covering to the uncovering positions and/or vice versa.