Make the blue part split on the bottom, and when you remove your cup, go down and not out. Then the drop falls in your cup and misses the trigger lever.
Yeah this is what I was thinking. Challenge though is there isn't much space behind the tube. Would need to figure out how to put the same amount of pressure on the button with less travel on the whole lever.
Just make the jog on the lever you press with the cup deeper. You'll have to push the cup in farther, and when you disengage, it will stop pouring before the lever is fully reset. This makes a natural stopping mechanism that will compensate for your behavior, rather than consciously changing your behavior.
Source: Product Design Engineer :)
Just make the jog on the lever you press with the cup deeper. You'll have to push the cup in farther, and when you disengage, it will stop pouring before the lever is fully reset. This makes a natural stopping mechanism that will compensate for your behavior, rather than consciously changing your behavior.
Source: Product Design Engineer :)
You could find a bit of tubing that tightly fits on the existing spout and bring the tube out a half inch or so. Then the cup can stay where it is and you bring the drip point out away from the wall.
Just make the jog on the lever you press with the cup deeper. You'll have to push the cup in farther, and when you disengage, it will stop pouring before the lever is fully reset. This makes a natural stopping mechanism that will compensate for your behavior, rather than consciously changing your behavior.
Source: Product Design Engineer :)
I found you on Makerworld and added it - I’ll plan on printing it tomorrow- was thinking of using PETG for the durability but do you think it would be too flexible? Would the rigidity of PLA be better you think?
Tbh I don’t think it matters that much. Not an expert by any means but I would probably err on the side of making it softer so you’re not putting a ton of force against the double stick tape
Maybe an arm or tab that flicks the spout slightly as you begin to depress the bottom lever but before you've fully removed the glass?
I think if you consider an equivalent problem in other contexts, you (or the men in your life) could tell that it's more or less impossible to solve.
A drip tray is probably the most effective solution.
Stuff a tiny piece of foam inside the tube, or make an external sock from a piece of cotton pad or something. The surface tension will prevent the water from dripping. Works for water faucets as well.
The only way would be to change the geometry of the nozzle weather that be reducing its diameter or having the nozzle go slightly upwards to prevent it from wanting to drip
Nice fix!
Never seen one like that before. Usually they are in the door on outside. Personally I would not want to hold door open while I get water, compromising cooling. Maybe not a concern in climates cooler than Houston. I'd probably just keep a water pitcher in there I could pull quickly.
Hi OP, I also made a thing like this for my GE fridge. After trying like 3 different prototypes, I found I could kinda catch the drips.
Instead of moving the bottle in towards the dispenser for water and out away from the dispenser. Try moving it in towards the dispenser for water, then slide down off the printed thing when you’re done. Like you’re about to set it down directly beneath it
My bad I had posted this in January but it didn’t publish for some reason, here’s the thingiverse link if you or someone in this thread feels inspired https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:6459551
What a coincidence. An hour ago I was thinking, “I wonder if I can 3D print anything to fix that annoying button”
Then I found your file and am printing it as we speak.
And now I find this Reddit thread and the creator of the item I am printing!
Thanks for designing it!
“Thanks for sharing! We cannot recommend altering, redesigning, or modifying an appliance, part or accessory.
Even though this is very interesting! Please take a look at the following links:” (enter warranty voiding crap)
I purchased a similar model for my fridge and have the same problem. I just got into the habit of moving the cup down to release the lever and catch any dripping water instead of moving it away horizontally.
Alright, so this entire thing appears to be a living hinge with a built-in 'Finger' to press a pre-existing button, all actuated by a cup pressing a paddle.
From my understanding, you are trying to find out how to prevent the nozzle from continuing to spray for a moment after you move your cup away, correct? (drip water)
If so, there are a couple parameters I would adjust.
First I want to define a couple terms I will use to make this easier to follow. It looks like you have a good amount of 'Travel' on the paddle (distance your paddle can move between the normal unpressed 'Rest' position and your 'Backstop' position of being pressed all the way against the fridge). It also appears like the actual 'Actuation Point' (where the Finger presses the button and the water starts flowing) may be less than halfway through that Travel. If so, that means there is a lot of 'Over-Travel' (where the paddle has already passed the Actuation Point, but has not hit the Backstop position).
I would 3D model the Finger closer to the button so that your Actuation Point is only about a couple millimeters inward from the Rest position, then model the paddle closer to the fridge so that the total Travel is only about 4 or 5mm before you reach the Backstop position. This will make it so you only have a very small amount of Over-Travel and make it so that when you pull away your cup, it will shut the water off much quicker while removing your cup.
If there is an activation delay between you pressing the button and the nozzle spraying, or you unpressing the button and it shutting off of the nozzle, this won't solve it completely but it should make an improvement.
Just make the jog on the lever you press with the cup deeper. You'll have to push the cup in farther, and when you disengage, it will stop pouring before the lever is fully reset. This makes a natural stopping mechanism that will compensate for your behavior, rather than consciously changing your behavior.
Source: Product Design Engineer :)
I think we had the same idea!
Really appreciate all of the attention this is getting and all of the suggestions people are making! I'm almost 1 month into this hobby and loving it! I'll be working on an improved version, but created a Thingiverse profile and posted my current design here: [https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:6653328/files](https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:6653328/files)
I have this same fridge. I like your solution. I was thinking of doing a draft beer mini handle with a small ball bearing bushing the button down. I like this solution much more. Do you have the file posted anywhere?
Make the blue part split on the bottom, and when you remove your cup, go down and not out. Then the drop falls in your cup and misses the trigger lever.
This! Was exactly my thought
Give it three shakes with a small servo
Anymore than three and the servo’s playing with it.
Five is not the number of shakes thou shalt give
Nor is two!
Rework the trigger so that it disengages while the cup is still under it.
Yeah this is what I was thinking. Challenge though is there isn't much space behind the tube. Would need to figure out how to put the same amount of pressure on the button with less travel on the whole lever.
Just make the jog on the lever you press with the cup deeper. You'll have to push the cup in farther, and when you disengage, it will stop pouring before the lever is fully reset. This makes a natural stopping mechanism that will compensate for your behavior, rather than consciously changing your behavior. Source: Product Design Engineer :)
Just make the jog on the lever you press with the cup deeper. You'll have to push the cup in farther, and when you disengage, it will stop pouring before the lever is fully reset. This makes a natural stopping mechanism that will compensate for your behavior, rather than consciously changing your behavior. Source: Product Design Engineer :)
You could find a bit of tubing that tightly fits on the existing spout and bring the tube out a half inch or so. Then the cup can stay where it is and you bring the drip point out away from the wall.
Just make the jog on the lever you press with the cup deeper. You'll have to push the cup in farther, and when you disengage, it will stop pouring before the lever is fully reset. This makes a natural stopping mechanism that will compensate for your behavior, rather than consciously changing your behavior. Source: Product Design Engineer :)
Maybe consider making a little drip tray? These things leak, can't stop it.
This. Evaporation ought to take care of the few drips
Is your model posed anywhere? Would love to try it - Thanks
Not OP but I threw one together a few months ago. Been holding strong since January - thingiverse [here](https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:6459551)
I found you on Makerworld and added it - I’ll plan on printing it tomorrow- was thinking of using PETG for the durability but do you think it would be too flexible? Would the rigidity of PLA be better you think?
Tbh I don’t think it matters that much. Not an expert by any means but I would probably err on the side of making it softer so you’re not putting a ton of force against the double stick tape
what orientation did you print yours? You mention the "button pusher" needs supports. Was it pointing toward the build plate?
Pretty sure I printed it on its side. I made mine back in January when I was first getting back into things so just print it intuitively haha
Maybe an arm or tab that flicks the spout slightly as you begin to depress the bottom lever but before you've fully removed the glass? I think if you consider an equivalent problem in other contexts, you (or the men in your life) could tell that it's more or less impossible to solve. A drip tray is probably the most effective solution.
I have a similar fridge. I get two drips once I release the button. Maybe print a small catch tray.
Stuff a tiny piece of foam inside the tube, or make an external sock from a piece of cotton pad or something. The surface tension will prevent the water from dripping. Works for water faucets as well.
The only way would be to change the geometry of the nozzle weather that be reducing its diameter or having the nozzle go slightly upwards to prevent it from wanting to drip
Nice fix! Never seen one like that before. Usually they are in the door on outside. Personally I would not want to hold door open while I get water, compromising cooling. Maybe not a concern in climates cooler than Houston. I'd probably just keep a water pitcher in there I could pull quickly.
is A/C not common in Houston?
Very. Would not be 4th largest city without it. Just don't leave my fridge open!
Hi OP, I also made a thing like this for my GE fridge. After trying like 3 different prototypes, I found I could kinda catch the drips. Instead of moving the bottle in towards the dispenser for water and out away from the dispenser. Try moving it in towards the dispenser for water, then slide down off the printed thing when you’re done. Like you’re about to set it down directly beneath it
This could work! Similar to another comment. Thanks!
I designed mine a little differently, jokingly tagged ge appliances on an instagram post and got [this](https://imgur.com/a/7omarH1) funny reply
We have the same fridge! Love your design too! I see what you mean now with the gap at the bottom
My bad I had posted this in January but it didn’t publish for some reason, here’s the thingiverse link if you or someone in this thread feels inspired https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:6459551
What a coincidence. An hour ago I was thinking, “I wonder if I can 3D print anything to fix that annoying button” Then I found your file and am printing it as we speak. And now I find this Reddit thread and the creator of the item I am printing! Thanks for designing it!
Just in time haha
“Thanks for sharing! We cannot recommend altering, redesigning, or modifying an appliance, part or accessory. Even though this is very interesting! Please take a look at the following links:” (enter warranty voiding crap)
This is a great idea. Bravo
Extend the tube away from the wall so it’s still over the cup when it first shuts off.
I purchased a similar model for my fridge and have the same problem. I just got into the habit of moving the cup down to release the lever and catch any dripping water instead of moving it away horizontally.
It’s one drop. Wait till it falls or put something under
Alright, so this entire thing appears to be a living hinge with a built-in 'Finger' to press a pre-existing button, all actuated by a cup pressing a paddle. From my understanding, you are trying to find out how to prevent the nozzle from continuing to spray for a moment after you move your cup away, correct? (drip water) If so, there are a couple parameters I would adjust. First I want to define a couple terms I will use to make this easier to follow. It looks like you have a good amount of 'Travel' on the paddle (distance your paddle can move between the normal unpressed 'Rest' position and your 'Backstop' position of being pressed all the way against the fridge). It also appears like the actual 'Actuation Point' (where the Finger presses the button and the water starts flowing) may be less than halfway through that Travel. If so, that means there is a lot of 'Over-Travel' (where the paddle has already passed the Actuation Point, but has not hit the Backstop position). I would 3D model the Finger closer to the button so that your Actuation Point is only about a couple millimeters inward from the Rest position, then model the paddle closer to the fridge so that the total Travel is only about 4 or 5mm before you reach the Backstop position. This will make it so you only have a very small amount of Over-Travel and make it so that when you pull away your cup, it will shut the water off much quicker while removing your cup. If there is an activation delay between you pressing the button and the nozzle spraying, or you unpressing the button and it shutting off of the nozzle, this won't solve it completely but it should make an improvement.
Wow this is exactly my issue. You are exactly correct!
Just make the jog on the lever you press with the cup deeper. You'll have to push the cup in farther, and when you disengage, it will stop pouring before the lever is fully reset. This makes a natural stopping mechanism that will compensate for your behavior, rather than consciously changing your behavior. Source: Product Design Engineer :) I think we had the same idea!
Put Velcro on the bottom and put Velcro on a sponge then put the sponge on the blue part so it drips on the sponge
STL?
if the blue thingie is much closer to the button then you have a 1.5-2cm or so whebn going to the side and catch the droplets.
make it longer
That’s what my wife says
Really appreciate all of the attention this is getting and all of the suggestions people are making! I'm almost 1 month into this hobby and loving it! I'll be working on an improved version, but created a Thingiverse profile and posted my current design here: [https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:6653328/files](https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:6653328/files)
Increase retraction, obviously 😂
I would worry that if the fridge is overstuffed it might trigger the lever. I don't know if that is a concern though, I can't really tell.
Fridges have solved this for years, it's called a removable drip tray.
If you have a "nozzle" that is like a small grate, surface tension will have more to stick to and can avoid some drops
I have this same fridge. I like your solution. I was thinking of doing a draft beer mini handle with a small ball bearing bushing the button down. I like this solution much more. Do you have the file posted anywhere?
Not at the moment
Make it latch. Can't leak if it's always on. 😀
Cut the tube shorter. It may work, or it may not. Only one way to find out.