Sliding Cup Support Assembly for Multi-Height Beverage Cups
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beverage dispensing machines face challenges in providing a simple, reliable, and inexpensive assembly and disassembly mechanism between the beverage preparation module and the cup support, particularly when handling cups of different sizes such as short and tall cups.
Innovation Solution
A mechanical connector arrangement with parallel extending retaining elements on the rear and front hooks allows for easy assembly and disassembly of the cup support, facilitating the use of cups of varying sizes without the need for complex mechanisms, and includes a removable cup placement platform with a liquid collection receptacle and fastening arrangement to minimize liquid exposure during handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed cup support is used in beverage machines, then the structure is simple and stable, but it cannot accommodate cups of different sizes (especially tall cups and short espresso cups)
Solution Approach 1:
The cup support is divided into two separable parts: a removable cup support element and a stationary cup support base. This segmentation allows the cup support element to be removed and replaced with different sized supports (tall cup support or short cup support) depending on the cup size being used, thereby achieving versatility without requiring a complex adjustable mechanism.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a removable cup support mechanism is implemented to handle different cup sizes, then adaptability improves, but the assembly and disassembly process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The cup support element is designed to be completely extractable from the cup support base through a simple removal motion. This extraction mechanism allows users to easily remove the cup support element and replace it with a different sized support without complex tools or procedures, maintaining ease of operation while achieving adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The cup support base is designed with universal compatibility to work with both tall cup supports and short cup supports through a standardized connection interface. This multi-functionality allows a single base to accommodate different cup sizes by simply changing the support element, simplifying the overall system while maintaining versatility.
3Ease of repair
If the cup support is made removable for cleaning purposes, then ease of cleaning improves, but the risk of liquid exposure during handling increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system includes a removable platform that can be detached from the cup support element before removing the element itself. This preliminary action allows users to remove the platform (which may contain liquid) first, thereby minimizing liquid exposure risk when subsequently removing the cup support element for cleaning.
Data Source
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AI summary
A beverage preparation machine (1) comprises: a beverage preparation module (20, 30) having a front face (21) with an outlet (31) for dispensing a prepared beverage; and a cup support (10) located under the outlet (31) for placing a cup (2) under the outlet (31). The cup support (10) has a rear face (11) removably assembled to the front face (21) by a mechanical connector arrangement (12,22) that comprises a front hook (22) on the front face (21) disassemblable from a corresponding rear hook (12) on the rear face (11). The rear hook (12) has a retaining element (121) and the front hook (22) has a retaining element (221), the retaining elements (121,221) being mutually engaged when the cup support (10) is assembled to the front face (21) and disengaged when the cup support (10) is disassembled from the front face (21). The retaining element (121) of the rear hook (12) extends generally in parallel to the rear face (12) and the retaining element (221) of the front hook (22) extends generally in parallel to the front face (21), so that the rear face (11) and the front face (21) are relatively slid in parallel one over another to move the retaining elements (121,221) : together from disengagement into mutual engagement to assemble the rear face (11) to the front face (21); and apart from mutual engagement into disengagement to disassemble the rear face (11) from the front face (21).