Intelligent energy-saving automatic beverage mixing equipment

Abstract

A smart energy-saving automatic beverage mixing device, which can automatically and more accurately mix beverages by setting a horizontal manifold on the beverage barrel, setting a ring-shaped collection mechanism, feedback control of the outflow, automatic fault detection, automatic cleaning function and wireless network function. Among them, the smart energy-saving automatic beverage mixing device also has a variety of sensors, which greatly improve the accuracy of beverage outflow through feedback control and algorithms, and can achieve a control accuracy of 2c.c. The beneficial effect of the present invention is that the smart energy-saving automatic beverage mixing device does not require a complex structure, can more efficiently mix beverages and save electricity.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a beverage mixing system, in particular to an intelligent energy-saving automatic beverage mixing device. Background Art

[0002] The beverage industry is one of the important industries in our country. According to statistics from our Ministry of Economic Affairs, the beverage store industry has been growing for 14 consecutive years. However, beverage stores still have many business difficulties, the most obvious of which is the personnel problem. The turnover rate of beverage stores is high, and revenue is easily affected by labor costs. In order to solve the labor problem, related companies have also launched different types of beverage automation equipment. Looking at these beverage automation equipment, there are still many problems. Listed below:

[0003] Complex structure and high manufacturing and maintenance costs: For example, using conveyor belts or robotic arms to move beverage cups, although unmanned operation is achieved, the manufacturing and maintenance costs of the equipment are bound to increase. On the other hand, electricity costs are also one of the key costs for beverage shops that are open all day. Conveyor belts and robotic arms are high-energy-consuming equipment, which will also increase the electricity costs of beverage shops.

[0004] In addition, beverage mixing equipment with conveyor belts or robotic arms is mostly station-type design. Beverages need to go through multiple adding stations to add beverages, sugar or ice cubes. In order to avoid beverages tipping over or spilling during the mixing process, the operating speed of conveyor belts or robotic arms is limited to a certain extent. Therefore, the efficiency of mixing beverages cannot support the customer flow of most beverage stores. In today's consumer environment, the speed of serving meals is an important indicator for catering operators, especially in my country where beverage consumption is mainly take-out, which is extremely sensitive to the speed of serving meals. If the beverage mixing speed is too slow, it will seriously affect the reputation and performance of the store. Therefore, automated beverage equipment with low working efficiency such as conveyor belts or robotic arms is not suitable for beverage stores, which is also the main reason why automated beverage equipment is difficult to popularize.

[0005] Insufficient accuracy of beverage outflow: Traditional automatic beverage machines mostly use flow meters and solenoid valves, and use power-on time as a control method (controlling the opening time of the solenoid valve). However, the accuracy that can be controlled by this method alone is only about 13c.c., which cannot achieve very precise control, and it is easy to overflow or not fill the beverage cup. In addition, some equipment uses plastic hoses to transport beverages, but the internal bends of the plastic hoses will cause inconsistent pressure, thus affecting the outflow of beverages.

[0006] Therefore, how to solve the above problems is worth considering for those with ordinary knowledge in this field. Summary of the invention

[0007] In view of this, the purpose of the present invention is to provide an intelligent energy-saving beverage mixing device to solve the technical problems of traditional beverage equipment such as complex structure, high manufacturing and maintenance costs, insufficient beverage flow accuracy, and low beverage production efficiency. The technical means used are as follows:

[0008] An intelligent energy-saving automatic beverage mixing device is suitable for injecting beverages into at least one beverage cup, and the beverage cup also includes a barcode. The automatic beverage mixing device includes multiple beverage barrels, multiple manifolds, an ice storage device, multiple beverage tables, multiple collection mechanisms and a control module. The beverage barrel includes at least one flow outlet, which is arranged at the bottom of the beverage barrel. The manifold is arranged horizontally at an angle, and is symmetrically arranged with each other, and is connected to the flow outlet. The ice storage device includes at least one ice outlet, at least one servo motor, a stirring rod and at least one propeller. The ice outlet is arranged at the bottom of the ice storage device. The propeller is horizontally arranged above the ice outlet and is connected to the servo motor. The beverage table is suitable for placing beverage cups, and the beverage table also includes a U-shaped structure. The collection mechanism is arranged above the beverage table, including a ring structure, an ice inlet, multiple water inlets and multiple beverage pipes. The ice inlet is connected to the ice outlet. The water inlet is arranged on the ring structure. The beverage pipe is connected between the water inlet and the manifold. The control module includes multiple flow meters, multiple water valve switches, multiple cup table weight sensors, multiple beverage barrel weight sensors, at least one ice quantity sensor, multiple pressure sensors, multiple barcode readers, multiple infrared scanners and a controller. The flow meter is arranged on the beverage pipe and is suitable for generating flow data. The water valve switch is connected in series with the flow meter and is arranged on the beverage pipe. The cup table weight sensor is arranged on the beverage table and is suitable for providing beverage cup weight data. The beverage barrel weight sensor is arranged at the bottom of the beverage barrel and is suitable for providing beverage barrel weight data. The ice quantity sensor is arranged at the bottom of the ice storage device and is suitable for providing ice barrel weight data. The pressure sensor is arranged in the manifold and is suitable for providing beverage pressure data. The barcode reader is arranged on the U-shaped structure and is suitable for reading the barcode on the beverage cup to obtain beverage data. The infrared scanner is arranged on the U-shaped structure and is suitable for providing beverage cup position data. The controller is connected to the water valve switch, flow meter, cup table weight sensor, beverage bucket weight sensor, ice quantity sensor, infrared scanner, pressure sensor and barcode reader, and receives flow data, beverage cup weight data, beverage bucket weight data, ice bucket weight data, beverage pressure data, beverage cup position data and beverage data, and controls multiple water valve switches and servo motors simultaneously according to the flow data, beverage cup weight data, ice bucket weight data, beverage bucket weight data, beverage pressure data, beverage cup position data and beverage data. Wherein, a single beverage bucket is connected to multiple collection mechanisms via a single manifold.

[0009] The above-mentioned intelligent energy-saving automatic beverage mixing equipment also includes a sealing machine, which is arranged behind the beverage table and below the ice storage device.

[0010] The above-mentioned intelligent energy-saving automatic beverage mixing device also includes a sound-generating device connected to the controller, which is suitable for playing a beverage replenishment notification message, an ice replenishment notification message and an abnormality notification message.

[0011] The above-mentioned intelligent energy-saving automatic beverage mixing equipment, wherein the beverage barrel also includes a clean water inlet and a beverage barrel cleaning water valve switch, the clean water inlet is arranged above the beverage barrel and connected to an external water source, the beverage barrel cleaning water valve switch is connected in series to the clean water inlet, the controller is connected to the beverage barrel cleaning water valve switch, and when the controller receives a system cleaning instruction, the beverage barrel cleaning water valve switch is turned on.

[0012] The above-mentioned intelligent energy-saving automatic beverage mixing equipment, wherein the collecting mechanism also includes multiple cleaning nozzles and a collecting mechanism cleaning water valve switch, the cleaning nozzles are arranged on the inner side of the ring structure, the cleaning nozzles are connected to an external water source, and the collecting mechanism cleaning water valve switch is connected in series to the cleaning nozzles. When the controller receives a collecting mechanism cleaning instruction, the collecting mechanism cleaning water valve switch is turned on.

[0013] The above-mentioned intelligent energy-saving automatic beverage mixing equipment also includes a point-of-sale device, which is suitable for inputting beverage data and generating the barcode, and the barcode is printed on a label.

[0014] The above-mentioned intelligent energy-saving automatic beverage mixing equipment also includes a wireless communication module connected to the controller, which is suitable for transmitting ice bucket weight data, beverage bucket weight data, beverage cup position data and beverage data to an external electronic device and a display.

[0015] The above-mentioned intelligent energy-saving automatic beverage mixing equipment, wherein there are multiple ice outlets, servo motors and propellers, and the number of ice outlets, servo motors and propellers is the same.

[0016] The present invention also provides an intelligent automatic beverage preparation method, comprising:

[0017] A10: Provide the above-mentioned intelligent energy-saving automatic beverage mixing device, receive the beverage cup position data, and determine the beverage cup position.

[0018] Whether the material cup is on the beverage table;

[0019] A20: If step A10 is true, start the barcode reader;

[0020] A30: Obtaining a barcode through a barcode reader, and obtaining beverage data from the barcode;

[0021] A40: drives the corresponding water valve switch and servo motor according to beverage data;

[0022] A50: Get the beverage cup weight data and beverage pressure data, compare with a default beverage weight, and calculate

[0023] Calculate the difference in beverage weight and control the outflow of the water valve switch;

[0024] A60: Obtain flow data and control the outflow of the water valve switch;

[0025] A70: Obtain the weight data of the beverage bucket and the ice bucket, and control the outflow of the water valve switch; and

[0026] A80: Determine whether the beverage cup weight data is equal to the default beverage weight. If not, repeat steps A50 to A80. If true, close the water valve switch.

[0027] The above-mentioned intelligent automatic beverage preparation method further includes:

[0028] Get the beverage barrel weight data. When the beverage barrel weight data is lower than the default value of multiple beverage barrel weights,

[0029] generating a beverage refill notification message;

[0030] Obtain ice bucket weight data, and when the ice bucket weight data is lower than a default value of an ice bucket weight, generate an ice replenishment notification message;

[0031] After completing step A80, the weight of the beverage cup is obtained. If the weight data of the beverage cup is lower than the preset beverage weight, an abnormal notification message is generated; and

[0032] In steps A10 to A80, if flow data, beverage cup weight data, ice bucket weight data, beverage bucket weight data, beverage pressure data, beverage cup position data and beverage data are not received within a certain period of time, the abnormal notification message is generated.

[0033] The beneficial effect of the present invention is that the intelligent energy-saving automatic beverage mixing device of the present invention includes the following advantages:

[0034] 1. Only a single station is needed to complete beverage preparation, without the need for complex components such as conveyor belts or robotic arms, which can effectively improve beverage production efficiency and save electricity.

[0035] 2. With various sensing settings, it can control the outflow of beverages while mixing them, and can more accurately control the outflow of beverages, achieving a control accuracy of 2c.c.

[0036] 3. It has fault detection and automatic cleaning functions, and sends notification messages when there is a fault or insufficient raw materials.

[0037] 4. External electronic devices and displays can be integrated to display raw material data for staff to monitor.

[0038] 5. It has the characteristics of high efficiency, energy saving and easy use, and is very suitable for beverage shops.

[0039] In order to make the above-mentioned purposes, features and advantages of the present invention more clearly understood, the following will be described in detail with reference to the embodiments and the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the components in the accompanying drawings are only for illustration and are not drawn according to the actual proportions of the components. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0040] Figure 1A Shown is a schematic diagram of the intelligent energy-saving automatic beverage mixing device of the present invention.

[0041] Figure 1B Shown is a schematic diagram of the structure of an intelligent energy-saving automatic beverage mixing device.

[0042] Figure 1C Shown is a schematic diagram of the pipeline route.

[0043] Figure 2 Shown is a schematic diagram of the structure of the control module.

[0044] Figure 3 Depicted is a method for controlling the outflow of a beverage.

[0045] Figure 4 Shown is a schematic diagram of a collection mechanism. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0046] The present invention provides an intelligent energy-saving automatic beverage mixing device, which is a single-station design in structure. It can complete beverage mixing without using a conveyor belt or a mechanical arm, thereby improving efficiency and solving the problem of power consumption. Furthermore, it can automatically mix beverages through barcode scanning, and use the feedback control algorithm to make the beverage flow control more precise, reaching an accuracy of 2c.c.

[0047] See also Figure 1A and Figure 1B , Figure 1A The figure shows a schematic diagram of the intelligent energy-saving automatic beverage mixing device of the present invention. Figure 1B The diagram is a schematic diagram of the structure of the intelligent energy-saving automatic beverage mixing device. The intelligent energy-saving automatic beverage mixing device 100 of the present invention has multiple components. In order to clearly illustrate the relationship between the components, Figure 1B Only one is drawn in Figure 1A The intelligent energy-saving automatic beverage mixing device 100 of the present invention includes a plurality of beverage barrels 110, a plurality of conduits 120, a plurality of ice storage devices 130, a plurality of beverage tables 140, a plurality of collection structures 150 and a control module.

[0048] The beverage barrel 110 is a device for storing beverages in the intelligent energy-saving automatic beverage mixing device 100. The plurality of beverage barrels 110 can store different beverages or liquid raw materials, respectively, as materials for mixing beverages, such as fresh milk, tea, boiled water, sugar water, etc. The beverage barrel 110 also includes a flow outlet 111, which is arranged at the bottom of the beverage barrel 110 and is suitable for allowing the beverage in the barrel 110 to flow out. In one embodiment, the corners of the beverage barrel 110 are arc-shaped, which can avoid beverage residue and facilitate cleaning.

[0049] In one embodiment, the beverage barrel 110 further includes a clean water inlet 113 and a beverage barrel cleaning water valve switch 112. The clean water inlet 113 is disposed above the beverage barrel 110 and connected to the external water source 10, and the beverage barrel cleaning water valve switch 112 is serially connected to the clean water inlet 113. When the beverage barrel cleaning water valve switch 112 is turned on, external clean water (preferably heated clean water) can be introduced to clean the beverage barrel 110 and subsequent pipelines.

[0050] The manifold 120 is disposed below the beverage barrel 110 and connected to the flow outlet 111 of the beverage barrel 110. The manifold 120 is disposed horizontally at an angle, and multiple manifolds 120 can be arranged symmetrically in groups. The manifold 120 also includes multiple beverage tubes 121, which are respectively connected to multiple collection mechanisms 150. Therefore, the beverage in the beverage barrel 110 can enter the manifold 120 through the flow outlet 111, and then flow into the collection mechanism 150 through the beverage tubes 121. In addition, please refer to Figure 1A In one embodiment, the manifold 120 is disposed on a manifold support frame 122 to keep the manifold 120 in a horizontal direction. In another embodiment, the manifold 120 and the beverage tube 121 are both soft tubes, but adapters 123 are provided at the bends and diversions, and the adapters 123 are made of hard materials, such as metal.

[0051] The ice storage device 130 is a device for storing ice cubes in the intelligent energy-saving automatic beverage mixing device 100. The ice storage device 130 includes at least one ice outlet 131, at least one servo motor 132, a stirring rod 133 and at least one propeller 134. The ice outlet 131 is arranged at the bottom of the ice storage device 130. In one embodiment, there are multiple ice outlets 131, and each ice outlet 131 is separated by a partition, so that each ice outlet 131 corresponds to a different collecting mechanism 150. The stirring rod 133 is arranged in the ice storage device 130, which can keep rotating and stirring the ice cubes in the ice storage device 130 to prevent the ice cubes from sticking.

[0052] The propeller 134 is connected to the servo motor 132 and is individually disposed above the ice outlet 131. In the present embodiment, the propeller 134 is a screw and is driven to rotate by the servo motor 132. Therefore, when the servo motor 132 rotates, the propeller 134 is driven to push the ice cubes toward the ice outlet 131 so that the ice cubes can fall out of the ice outlet 131. In a preferred embodiment, there are multiple propellers 134 and servo motors 132, and the number of the ice outlet 131, the servo motor 132 and the propellers 134 is the same. Further, the number of the ice outlet 131, the servo motor 132 and the propeller 134 corresponds to the number of the collecting mechanism 150.

[0053] The beverage table 140 is a device for placing the beverage cup 20 of the intelligent energy-saving automatic beverage mixing device 100, so the beverage table 140 is arranged below the collecting mechanism 150. The beverage table 140 also includes a U-shaped structure 141, which can be used to indicate the angle and position of the cup to be placed, and prevent the beverage cup 20 from tipping over.

[0054] A label 21 is attached to the beverage cup 20, and a barcode 22 is printed on the label 21. The barcode 22 is printed by a point-of-sale device, so the barcode 22 includes beverage data. That is, the clerk inputs beverage data (such as product, sugar content, ice content, etc.) by operating the point-of-sale device, and the point-of-sale device generates the barcode 22 based on the data and prints it on the label 21, and the clerk attaches the label to the beverage cup 20.

[0055] The collecting mechanism 150 is disposed above the beverage table 140 and is used to collect beverages in each beverage barrel 110 and ice cubes in the ice storage device 130. Figure 4 , Figure 4 The diagram is a schematic diagram of the collecting mechanism. The collecting mechanism 150 includes a ring structure 150', an ice inlet 151, a plurality of water inlets 152, a plurality of cleaning nozzles 153 and a plurality of beverage pipes 121. The ring structure 150' is the main body of the collecting mechanism 150, and is an octagonal structure in this embodiment. The center of the ring structure 150' is the ice inlet 151, and is connected to the ice outlet 131 of the ice storage device 130 through a hose 135.

[0056] A plurality of water inlets 152 are disposed on the ring structure 150' and are located at the edge of the ring structure 150'. The plurality of water inlets 152 on each ring structure 150' are connected to different manifolds 120 via beverage pipes 121, that is, the water inlets 152 correspond to different beverage barrels 110. After the beverage flows into the ring structure 150', it can be collected and flowed into the beverage cup 20.

[0057] The cleaning nozzle 153 is disposed on the ring structure 150' and is located at the edge of the ring structure 150'. The cleaning nozzle 153 is connected to a collection mechanism cleaning water valve switch 154 and a water source 11. After the collection mechanism cleaning water valve switch 154 is turned on, water from the water source 11 will flow into the cleaning nozzle 153, and the cleaning nozzle 153 is a nozzle with a narrow opening, which allows the cleaning water to form a certain pressure to wash the inside of the ring structure 150' and remove the residual beverage.

[0058] See also Figure 1C , Figure 1C The diagram is a schematic diagram of the pipeline route. In this embodiment, there are six beverage barrels 110, each containing different beverages or raw materials. Each beverage barrel 110 is connected to a manifold 120, and the manifold 120 is arranged in multiple levels, and then connected from a single manifold 120 to three manifold mechanisms 150. Therefore, six beverage barrels 110 have six corresponding manifolds 120. The ice storage device 130 delivers ice cubes into the ice inlet 151 of the manifold mechanism 150.

[0059] The control module is the main control system of the intelligent energy-saving automatic beverage mixing device 100. Figure 2 , Figure 2 The diagram is a schematic diagram of the control module, which includes a controller 160, a plurality of water valve switches 161, a plurality of flow meters 162, a plurality of cup table weight sensors 163, a plurality of beverage barrel weight sensors 164, an ice volume sensor 165, a plurality of pressure sensors 166, a barcode reader 167 and an infrared scanner 168. The control module realizes automatic beverage mixing through the above components.

[0060] The controller 160 is, for example, a programmable control chip that has input of various control modes, can obtain signals from various sensors, and control the water valve switch 161, the servo motor 132, the beverage barrel cleaning water valve switch 112, and the collection mechanism cleaning water valve switch 154 according to these signals. The specific control modes will be described later.

[0061] The water valve switch 161 and the flow meter 162 are disposed on the beverage pipe 121 of the manifold 120, and the water valve switch 161 and the flow meter 162 are disposed in series. The water valve switch 161 and the flow meter 162 are electrically connected to the controller 160, respectively. The flow meter 162 is adapted to provide a flow data, i.e., the amount of beverage passing through the flow meter. The water valve switch 161 is controlled by the controller 160 to be turned on or off.

[0062] The cup table weight sensor 163 is installed on the beverage table 140 to sense the weight of the beverage cup 20 and the beverage in the cup. Therefore, the cup table weight sensor 163 is suitable for providing a beverage cup weight data. The beverage barrel weight sensor 164 is set at the bottom of the beverage barrel 110, and is suitable for sensing the weight of the beverage barrel 110 and the beverage therein, that is, the amount of beverage in the beverage barrel 110, so the beverage barrel weight sensor 164 is suitable for providing a beverage barrel weight data.

[0063] The ice quantity sensor 165 is disposed at the bottom of the ice storage device 130, and is suitable for sensing the weight of the ice storage device 130 and the ice cubes therein, that is, the amount of ice cubes in the ice storage device 130, so the ice quantity sensor 165 is suitable for providing an ice bucket weight data. The pressure sensor 166 is disposed in the manifold 120, and detects the beverage pressure in the manifold 120, so the pressure sensor is suitable for providing a beverage pressure data.

[0064] The barcode reader 167 and the infrared scanner 168 are disposed beside the beverage station 140. In one embodiment, the barcode reader 167 and the infrared scanner 168 are disposed on the U-shaped structure 141. The barcode reader 167 is adapted to read the barcode 22 on the beverage cup 20 and obtain beverage data through the barcode 22. The infrared scanner 168 determines whether the beverage cup 20 is located on the beverage station 140 and provides beverage cup position data.

[0065] The controller 160 is connected to the flow meter 162, the cup table weight sensor 163, the beverage bucket weight sensor 164, the ice quantity sensor 165, the pressure sensor 166, the barcode reader 167 and the infrared scanner 168. It receives flow data, beverage cup weight data, beverage bucket weight data, ice bucket weight data, beverage pressure data, beverage data and beverage cup position data. Further, the controller 160 controls the multiple water valve switches 162 and the servo motor 132 at the same time according to the aforementioned data, that is, controls the outflow of beverages and ice.

[0066] Furthermore, the controller 160 stores a beverage list including beverage recipes. When the controller 160 receives beverage data, it controls the beverage outflow and ice outflow according to the recipe corresponding to the beverage list, such as the outflow of tea, the outflow of fresh milk, the outflow of sugar water, the outflow of ice cubes, etc. The outflow of other liquid materials is adjusted according to the amount of ice cubes (such as normal ice, less ice, and no ice).

[0067] See also Figure 3 , Figure 3The control method of beverage outflow is shown. In this embodiment, the controller 160 improves the accuracy of beverage flow control by calculating the received data. First, the beverage cup position data is received to determine whether the beverage cup 20 is located on the beverage table 140 (step A10). If the beverage cup 20 is not on the beverage table 140, no action is taken. On the contrary, if step A10 is true, that is, the beverage cup 20 is located on the beverage table 140, the barcode reader 167 is activated (step A20). Next, the barcode 22 on the beverage cup 20 is obtained through the barcode reader 167, and a beverage data is obtained from the barcode 22 (step A30). Afterwards, the corresponding water valve switch 161 and the servo motor 132 are driven according to the beverage data (step A40), that is, the water valve switch 161 on the corresponding beverage barrel 110 is opened to allow the beverage to flow out, and the servo motor 132 on the ice storage device 130 is driven to push out the ice cubes.

[0068] Next, the beverage cup weight data and beverage pressure data are obtained, compared with a default beverage weight, and a beverage weight difference is calculated to control the outflow of the water valve switch 161 (step A50). That is, according to the amount of beverage that has flowed into the beverage cup 20 (the beverage cup weight) and the state of beverage outflow (the beverage pressure of the manifold 120), and compared with the predetermined beverage weight, the difference from full filling is calculated, and the amount of beverage outflow is further controlled.

[0069] Afterwards, the flow data is obtained to control the outflow of the water valve switch 161 (step A60), that is, the water valve switch 161 is further controlled according to the beverage flow in the beverage pipe 121. Next, the beverage bucket weight data and the ice bucket weight data are obtained to control the outflow of the water valve switch 161 (step A70), that is, the amount of the intake and the amount of ice are determined to control the outflow of the beverage.

[0070] Then, it is determined whether the weight data of the beverage cup is equal to the default beverage weight. If not, steps A50 to A80 are repeated. If true, the water valve switch 161 is closed. That is, it is determined whether the amount of beverage in the beverage cup 20 reaches the predetermined weight. If it does not reach the predetermined weight, it means that the beverage is not finished, so steps A50 to 80 are repeated to continue to control and flow out the beverage. On the contrary, if it has reached the predetermined weight, it means that the beverage is finished, and the water valve switch 161 is closed to stop the flow of the beverage.

[0071] In one embodiment, after step A80, the controller 160 obtains the weight of the beverage cup. If the weight of the beverage cup is lower than the preset beverage weight, an abnormal notification message is generated, indicating that the beverage flow is abnormal and the beverage produced is not consistent with the expectation. It may be due to pipe blockage or leakage, and the operator can be notified through the abnormal notification message.

[0072] In one embodiment, after step A80, the smart energy-saving automatic beverage mixing device 100 further includes a sealing machine. The controller 160 drives the sealing machine after the beverage is finished and the beverage cup weight data matches the preset beverage weight. Figure 1A In a preferred embodiment, the number of the sealing machines is equal to the beverage table 140, and the sealing machines are arranged behind the beverage table 140 and below the ice storage device 130, and the sealing machines are connected to the beverage table 140. When the sealing machines are driven, the beverage table 140 is retracted and the beverage cup 20 is sealed.

[0073] In one embodiment, in steps A10 to A80, if the controller 160 does not receive flow data, beverage cup weight data, ice bucket weight data, beverage bucket weight data, beverage pressure data, beverage cup position data, and beverage data within a certain period of time, an abnormal notification message is generated, indicating that the sensor is faulty, and the operator can be notified via the abnormal notification message.

[0074] Therefore, in this embodiment, the controller 160 first turns on the water valve switch 161 through steps A10 to A80, and then receives data from each sensor and further corrects the outflow of the water valve switch 161 based on the data from the sensor, thereby improving the accuracy of beverage outflow control, and the minimum control unit can reach 2 ml.

[0075] In one embodiment, the controller 160 also stores a plurality of default values ​​of beverage barrel weights and an ice bucket weight, which are the expected stock of the beverage barrel 110 and the ice storage device 130. When the controller 160 receives the beverage barrel weight data and the ice bucket weight data, if the beverage barrel weight data is lower than the beverage barrel weight default value, a beverage replenishment notification message is generated, and if the ice bucket weight data is lower than the ice bucket weight default value, an ice replenishment notification message is generated. The beverage replenishment notification message and the ice replenishment notification message are messages used to notify the operator to replenish beverages or ice cubes.

[0076] In one embodiment, the smart energy-saving automatic beverage mixing device 100 further includes a sound device, such as a speaker or a loudspeaker, which is suitable for abnormal notification messages, beverage replenishment notification messages, and ice replenishment notification messages. That is, when the smart energy-saving automatic beverage mixing device 100 has insufficient beverage or ice, or the system is abnormal, the sound device can play a message to notify the operator.

[0077] In one embodiment, the intelligent energy-saving automatic beverage mixing device 100 further includes a control interface, which is connected to the controller 160. The control interface is suitable for inputting a system cleaning instruction and a collection mechanism cleaning instruction. After the controller 160 receives the system cleaning instruction, it will open the beverage barrel cleaning water valve switch 112 to allow the clean water of the water source 10 to enter the beverage barrel 110 and its pipeline, and further clean the inside of the intelligent energy-saving automatic beverage mixing device 100. After the controller 160 receives the collection mechanism cleaning instruction, it will open the collection mechanism cleaning water valve switch 154 to allow the clean water of the water source 10 to enter the collection mechanism 150, and further clean the collection mechanism 150. In a preferred embodiment, the clean water provided by the water source 10 is high-temperature filtered clean water.

[0078] In some embodiments, the controller 160 counts the number of beverages produced, and when the number of beverages produced reaches a certain number, the controller 160 automatically executes a collection mechanism cleaning instruction, that is, regularly cleaning the collection mechanism 150 to prevent residual beverages from contaminating each other.

[0079] In one embodiment, the smart energy-saving automatic beverage mixing device 100 also includes a wireless communication module connected to the controller 160, which is suitable for transmitting ice bucket weight data, beverage bucket weight data, beverage cup position data and beverage data to an external electronic device and a display. The electronic device is, for example, a smart phone, that is, various data of the smart energy-saving automatic beverage mixing device 100 can be transmitted to an external device, such as the store manager's mobile phone, via the wireless communication module, so that the store manager can remotely monitor the inventory of beverages. Or it can be transmitted to a large display system for the store clerk to grasp the inventory of beverages at the first time. In some embodiments, the electronic device is also suitable for inputting system cleaning instructions and collecting mechanism cleaning instructions, so that the smart energy-saving automatic beverage mixing device 100 can be controlled to clean through a remote device.

[0080] Therefore, when operating the smart energy-saving automatic beverage mixing device 100 of the present invention, the clerk operates the point-of-sale device according to the customer's needs, generates a barcode 22 through the point-of-sale device, and attaches the label 21 of the barcode 22 to the beverage cup 20. Then, the beverage is placed on the beverage table 140, and the controller 160 of the smart energy-saving automatic beverage mixing device 100 confirms that the position of the beverage cup 20 is correct through the cup table weight sensor 163 and the infrared scanner 168, and then activates the barcode reader 167 to scan the barcode 22.

[0081] The controller 160 obtains beverage data by scanning the barcode 22, and controls multiple water valve switches 161 and servo motors 132 according to the beverage data to allow the beverage and ice to flow out. While the beverage is flowing out, the controller 160 will feedback and control the water valve switch 161 according to the data of multiple sensors to more accurately control the outflow of the beverage until the beverage is prepared.

[0082] During business hours, the store clerk or store manager can monitor the amount of beverage in the smart energy-saving automatic beverage mixing device 100 through an electronic device (mobile phone or tablet computer) or a display (electronic billboard). If there is a shortage, the smart energy-saving automatic beverage mixing device 100 will also issue a notification to allow the store clerk to replenish the relevant ingredients. The smart energy-saving automatic beverage mixing device 100 also provides a detection function to check whether the system is normal at any time. After closing, the store clerk can input a system cleaning command through an electronic device (mobile phone or tablet computer) to allow the smart energy-saving automatic beverage mixing device 100 to automatically clean the beverage barrel and internal pipes.

[0083] In summary, the intelligent energy-saving automatic beverage mixing device 100 of the present invention can complete beverage mixing with only a single station, so it does not require complex components such as conveyor belts or robotic arms, which can effectively improve the efficiency of beverage production and save electricity. In addition, the intelligent energy-saving automatic beverage mixing device 100 uses a variety of sensing settings to feedback and control the outflow of beverages while mixing beverages, which can more accurately control the outflow of beverages and provide fault detection and automatic cleaning. Therefore, the intelligent energy-saving automatic beverage mixing device 100 of the present invention has the characteristics of high efficiency, energy saving and easy use, and is very suitable for use in beverage stores.

[0084] The above embodiments are merely examples for the convenience of explanation. Although any modifications are made by those skilled in the art, they will not deviate from the scope of protection as set forth in the claims.

Claims

1. An intelligent energy-saving automatic beverage mixing device, suitable for injecting beverage into at least one beverage cup, the beverage cup also includes a bar code, characterized in that: The automatic beverage mixing device comprises: A plurality of beverage barrels, including at least one flow outlet, disposed at the bottom of the beverage barrel; A plurality of manifolds are arranged horizontally at an angle and symmetrically arranged to be connected to the outlet; An ice storage device, comprising: At least one ice outlet is disposed at the bottom of the ice storage device; at least one servo motor; a stirring rod; and At least one propeller is horizontally arranged above the ice outlet and connected to the servo motor; a plurality of beverage tables, the beverage tables are suitable for placing the beverage cups, and the beverage tables include a U-shaped structure; A plurality of collecting mechanisms are arranged above the beverage table, including: One ring structure; an ice inlet connected to the ice outlet; a plurality of water inlets disposed on the ring structure; and a plurality of beverage pipes connected between the water inlet and the manifold; and A control module, comprising: A plurality of flow meters, each of which is disposed on the beverage pipe and is suitable for generating flow data; A plurality of water valve switches, which are serially connected to the flow meter and are arranged on the beverage pipe; A plurality of cup table weight sensors, the cup table weight sensors are disposed on the beverage table and are suitable for providing beverage cup weight data; A plurality of beverage barrel weight sensors, the beverage barrel weight sensors are disposed at the bottom of the beverage barrel and are suitable for providing beverage barrel weight data; At least one ice quantity sensor is disposed at the bottom of the ice storage device and is suitable for providing ice bucket weight data; A plurality of pressure sensors are disposed in the manifold and are adapted to provide beverage pressure data; A plurality of barcode readers are disposed on the U-shaped structure and are suitable for reading the barcode on the beverage cup to obtain beverage data; a plurality of infrared scanners disposed on the U-shaped structure and adapted to provide a beverage cup position data; and a controller connected to the water valve switch, the flow meter, the cup table weight sensor, the beverage bucket weight sensor, the ice quantity sensor, the infrared scanner, the pressure sensor and the barcode reader, and the controller receives the flow data, the beverage cup weight data, the beverage bucket weight data, the ice bucket weight data, the beverage pressure data, the beverage cup position data and the beverage data, and controls a plurality of the water valve switches and the servo motor simultaneously according to the flow data, the beverage cup weight data, the ice bucket weight data, the beverage bucket weight data, the beverage pressure data, the beverage cup position data and the beverage data; Wherein, a single beverage barrel is connected to a plurality of the collecting mechanisms via a single manifold.

2. The intelligent energy-saving automatic beverage mixing device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The device also comprises a sealing machine, which is arranged behind the beverage station and below the ice storage device.

3. The intelligent energy-saving automatic beverage mixing device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The device also includes a sounding device connected to the controller and adapted to play a beverage replenishment notification message, an ice replenishment notification message and an abnormality notification message.

4. The intelligent energy-saving automatic beverage mixing device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The beverage barrel also includes a clean water inlet and a beverage barrel cleaning water valve switch. The clean water inlet is arranged above the beverage barrel and connected to an external water source. The beverage barrel cleaning water valve switch is connected in series to the clean water inlet. The controller is connected to the beverage barrel cleaning water valve switch. When the controller receives a system cleaning instruction, the beverage barrel cleaning water valve switch is turned on.

5. The intelligent energy-saving automatic beverage mixing device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The collecting mechanism also includes a plurality of cleaning nozzles and a collecting mechanism cleaning water valve switch. The cleaning nozzle is arranged on the inner side of the ring structure. The cleaning nozzle is connected to an external water source. The collecting mechanism cleaning water valve switch is connected in series to the cleaning nozzle. When the controller receives a collecting mechanism cleaning instruction, the collecting mechanism cleaning water valve switch is turned on.

6. The intelligent energy-saving automatic beverage mixing device according to claim 1, characterized in that: Also included is a point of sale device adapted to input the beverage data and generate the bar code, which is printed on a label.

7. The intelligent energy-saving automatic beverage mixing device according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a wireless communication module connected to the controller, which is suitable for transmitting the ice bucket weight data, the beverage bucket weight data, the beverage cup position data and the beverage data to an external electronic device and a display.

8. The intelligent energy-saving automatic beverage mixing device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The ice outlet, the servo motor and the propeller are multiple, and the number of the ice outlet, the servo motor and the propeller is the same.

9. An intelligent automatic beverage preparation method, characterized in that: include: A10: Provide the intelligent energy-saving automatic beverage mixing device according to claim 1, receive the beverage cup position data, and determine whether the beverage cup is located on the beverage table; A20: If step A10 is true, start the barcode reader; A30: Obtain the barcode via the barcode reader, and obtain the beverage data from the barcode; A40: driving the corresponding water valve switch and the servo motor according to the beverage data; A50: Obtain the weight data of the beverage cup and the pressure data of the beverage, compare them with a default beverage weight, calculate a beverage weight difference, and control the outflow of the water valve switch; A60: Obtain the flow data and control the outflow of the water valve switch; A70: Obtain the weight data of the beverage bucket and the ice bucket, and control the outflow of the water valve switch; and A80: Determine whether the beverage cup weight data is equal to the default beverage weight. If not, repeat steps A50 to A80. If true, close the water valve switch.

10. The intelligent automatic beverage mixing method according to claim 9, characterized in that: Also includes: Obtaining the weight data of the beverage barrel, and generating a beverage refill notification message when the weight data of the beverage barrel is lower than a plurality of beverage barrel weight default values; Obtaining the weight data of the ice bucket, and generating an ice replenishment notification message when the weight data of the ice bucket is lower than a default value of the ice bucket weight; After completing step A80, the weight of the beverage cup is obtained. If the weight data of the beverage cup is lower than the preset beverage weight, an abnormal notification message is generated; and In steps A10 to A80, if the flow data, the beverage cup weight data, the ice bucket weight data, the beverage bucket weight data, the beverage pressure data, the beverage cup position data and the beverage data are not received within a certain period of time, the abnormal notification message is generated.

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