Three-Spout Beverage Dispensing Unit for Single or Dual Cup Pouring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beverage dispensing apparatuses are inconvenient for simultaneously dispensing coffee into one or two cups, often requiring precise placement of cups and risking splashes, and are often bulky, complex, or unable to split the beverage into equal parts.
Innovation Solution
A dispensing unit with three spouts, including one for single cup dispensing and two for simultaneous dual cup dispensing, featuring a movable member to switch between dispensing modes and a flow divider for equal beverage distribution, allowing intuitive and precise positioning of cups and ensuring equal portions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If two spouts are used for simultaneous dual cup dispensing, then productivity is improved, but device complexity increases and ease of operation deteriorates due to precise cup placement requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The dispensing unit is segmented into three independent spouts (first, second, and third spouts) that can operate independently or in combination. This allows the system to dispense into one or two cups simultaneously without requiring precise placement, as each spout has a defined function and position.
Solution Approach 2:
The dispensing unit is designed with multi-functionality to handle various dispensing scenarios: single cup dispensing using the first spout, dual cup dispensing using the second and third spouts, or selective dispensing using any combination. This universal design eliminates the need for precise cup placement while maintaining operational flexibility.
2Ease of operation
If spouts are positioned close together to fit small cups, then ease of operation improves for small cups, but reliability deteriorates due to increased splash risk
Solution Approach 1:
Each spout is equipped with its own flow divider and dispensing channel, creating localized control over beverage flow. This local quality ensures that even when spouts are positioned close together, each dispensing point maintains proper flow control and minimizes splash risk independently.
Solution Approach 2:
Flow dividers are introduced as intermediary components between the beverage source and the spouts. These flow dividers regulate and distribute the beverage flow evenly to each spout, preventing excessive flow velocity that could cause splashing while maintaining compatibility with various cup sizes.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a movable member is added to switch between dispensing modes, then adaptability improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The dispensing unit incorporates a movable member that can be positioned in different locations to selectively connect different spouts to the beverage source. This dynamic configuration allows the system to adapt between single cup and dual cup dispensing modes using a simple mechanical movement rather than a complex switching mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable member combines multiple functions into a single component: it acts as both a flow connector and a mode selector. By merging the switching function with the existing spout structure, the design achieves adaptability between dispensing modes while minimizing the increase in device complexity.
4Manufacturing precision
If flow divider is added to ensure equal beverage distribution, then manufacturing precision improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flow divider is designed to automatically equalize beverage distribution to each spout based on the principles of fluid dynamics. Once the beverage enters the flow divider, it self-regulates the distribution to ensure equal portions without requiring external control mechanisms or complex adjustment systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The flow divider utilizes hydraulic principles to distribute beverage flow evenly among multiple spouts. By designing the internal channels and openings of the flow divider according to fluid flow principles, the system achieves equal portion distribution through passive hydraulic balance rather than active control or complex mechanical adjustments.
Data Source
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AI summary
This invention relates to a beverage dispensing unit (1; 13; 15; 17) for an apparatus for supplying a beverage, in particular for supplying coffee. The dispensing unit comprises an infeed section (21 ) for a beverage to be dispensed and a dispensing section (23), comprising three dispensing spouts (31, 32, 33). The dispensing unit also comprises two ducts (41, 42) interposed in parallel between the infeed section (21 ) and the dispensing section (23), each duct (41, 42) comprising an infeed (43) in liquid transfer communication with the infeed section (21 ) and an outfeed (44) in liquid transfer communication with the dispensing section (23). Each duct (41, 42), in use, receives a respective part of the beverage. The dispensing unit also comprises a movable member (5; 53; 7) shiftable between a first position and a second position, and vice versa. The movable member (5; 53; 7) is designed to change a liquid transfer path between the outfeeds (44) of the two ducts (41, 42) and the dispensing section (23) as follows. When the movable member (5; 53; 7) is in the first position, the respective parts of beverage are introduced into a same first dispensing spout (31 ); when the movable member (5; 53; 7) is in the second position, the respective part of beverage of one duct (41 ) is introduced into a second dispensing spout (32) and the respective part of beverage of the other duct (42) is introduced into a third dispensing spout (33). This invention also relates to an apparatus for supplying a beverage, comprising said dispensing unit, and a method for dispensing a beverage.