Beverage output device

Abstract

The application provides a beverage output device, which comprises a bearing table for bearing a container, a beverage output port arranged above the bearing table and used for outputting a beverage, a moving assembly connected to the beverage output port, the moving assembly being used to drive the beverage output port to move in a vertical direction, a first sensing assembly arranged above the bearing table, the first sensing assembly comprising a first signal emitter and a first signal receiver, and in a horizontal direction, the first signal receiver and the first signal emitter are arranged on opposite sides of the bearing table respectively, the first sensing assembly being used to sense the beverage output port and the container on the bearing table, and a processor connected to the beverage output port, the moving assembly and the first sensing assembly, the processor being used to control the moving assembly and the beverage output port to work based on the sensing result of the first sensing assembly.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of beverage dispensing equipment technology, specifically to a beverage dispensing device. Background Technology

[0002] After the container is placed on the support platform, the user needs to manually control the height of the beverage outlet to match the height of the upper edge of the container. However, manual control has low precision and efficiency, resulting in low reliability and efficiency of the beverage dispensing device and a poor user experience. Utility Model Content

[0003] In view of the above problems, the main technical problem to be solved by this application is how to improve the reliability and working efficiency of beverage dispensing equipment.

[0004] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the technical solution adopted in this application is conceived as follows:

[0005] A beverage dispensing device is provided, the beverage dispensing device comprising:

[0006] A support platform is used to support containers;

[0007] A beverage outlet is located above the support platform and is used to dispense beverages.

[0008] A movable component is connected to the beverage outlet, and the movable component is used to drive the beverage outlet to move in a vertical direction;

[0009] A first sensing component is disposed above the support platform. The first sensing component includes a first signal transmitter and a first signal receiver. The first signal receiver and the first signal transmitter are respectively disposed on opposite sides of the support platform along the horizontal direction. The first sensing component is used to sense the beverage outlet and the container on the support platform.

[0010] A processor is connected to the beverage outlet, the moving component, and the first sensing component. The processor is used to control the moving component and / or the beverage outlet to operate based on the sensing results of the first sensing component.

[0011] Unlike existing technologies, the beneficial effects of the embodiments in this application are as follows: This application utilizes a first sensing component to sense the beverage outlet and the container on the support platform, and uses a processor to control the operation of the moving component and the beverage outlet based on the sensing results of the first sensing component. This not only enables automated control of beverage output but also allows for adjustment of the height of the beverage outlet by controlling the moving component based on the sensing results, thereby improving the accuracy and efficiency of the beverage outlet adjustment. Therefore, this application can improve the reliability and working efficiency of the beverage output device. Attached Figure Description

[0012] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application, the accompanying drawings used in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the accompanying drawings described below are only some embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort, wherein:

[0013] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an embodiment of the beverage dispensing device provided in this application;

[0014] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of the beverage dispensing device provided in this application;

[0015] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of the beverage dispensing device provided in this application;

[0016] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the optical path structure of an embodiment of the third sensing component in the beverage output device provided in this application;

[0017] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the optical path structure of an embodiment of the fourth sensing component in the beverage output device provided in this application;

[0018] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of a portion of the structure of the third embodiment of the beverage dispensing device provided in this application;

[0019] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of a portion of the structure of the fourth embodiment of the beverage dispensing device provided in this application;

[0020] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of a portion of the structure of the fifth embodiment of the beverage dispensing device provided in this application. Detailed Implementation

[0021] The technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It is understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only for explaining this application and not for limiting it. Furthermore, it should be noted that, for ease of description, only the parts related to this application are shown in the accompanying drawings, not all structures. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of this application without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0022] In the description of this application, it should be understood that the terms "center," "longitudinal," "lateral," "length," "width," "thickness," "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "inner," "outer," "clockwise," and "counterclockwise," etc., indicating orientation or positional relationships based on the orientation or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings, are only for the convenience of describing this application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of this application. Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of indicated technical features. Thus, features defined with "first" and "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of the stated features. In the description of this application, "a plurality of" means two or more, unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0023] In the description of this application, it should be noted that, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "linking" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection, an electrical connection, or a connection that allows communication between them; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal communication between two components or the interaction between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this application according to the specific circumstances.

[0024] In this application, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, "above" or "below" the second feature can include direct contact between the first and second features, or contact between the first and second features through another feature between them. Furthermore, "above," "over," and "on top" of the second feature includes the first feature being directly above or diagonally above the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature is at a higher horizontal level than the second feature. "Below," "below," and "under" the second feature includes the first feature being directly below or diagonally below the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature is at a lower horizontal level than the second feature.

[0025] In this document, the term "embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment may be included in at least one embodiment of this application. The appearance of this phrase in various places throughout the specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, nor is it a separate or alternative embodiment mutually exclusive with other embodiments. It will be explicitly and implicitly understood by those skilled in the art that the embodiments described herein can be combined with other embodiments.

[0026] This application provides a beverage dispensing device, such as... Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an embodiment of the beverage dispensing device provided in this application; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of the beverage dispensing device provided in this application. The beverage dispensing device (not shown) in this embodiment includes a support platform 10, a beverage dispensing port 20, a moving component 30, a first sensing component 40, and a processor (not shown). The support platform 10 is used to hold a container (not shown). The beverage dispensing port 20 is located above the support platform 10 and is used to dispense beverages. The moving component 30 is connected to the beverage dispensing port 20 and is used to move the beverage dispensing port 20 along the vertical Y direction. The first sensing component 40 is located above the support platform 10 and includes a first signal transmitter 41 and a first signal receiver 42; and along the horizontal direction, the first signal receiver 42 and the first signal transmitter 41 are respectively located on opposite sides of the support platform 10. The first sensing component 40 is used to sense the beverage dispensing port 20 and the container on the support platform 10. The processor is connected to the beverage dispensing port 20, the moving component 30, and the first sensing component 40, and is used to control the moving component 30 and the beverage dispensing port 20 based on the sensing results of the first sensing component 40.

[0027] The processor can control the moving component 30 to move the beverage outlet 20 up and down based on the sensing results of the first sensing component 40, so as to adjust the height of the beverage outlet 20; the processor can also control the beverage outlet 20 to output beverages and stop outputting beverages based on the sensing results of the first sensing component 40.

[0028] This embodiment utilizes a first sensing component 40 to sense the beverage outlet 20 and the container on the support platform 10. The processor controls the moving component 30 and the beverage outlet 20 based on the sensing results from the first sensing component 40. This not only enables automated control of beverage output but also allows for adjustment of the height of the beverage outlet 20 by the moving component 30 based on the sensing results, improving the accuracy and efficiency of the adjustment. Therefore, this embodiment enhances the reliability and efficiency of the beverage output device.

[0029] Beverage dispensing equipment may include, but is not limited to, water dispensers, water purifiers, beverage machines, ice makers, or integrated water dispenser-ice maker and refrigerators. The support platform 10 and the beverage outlet 20 are arranged opposite each other in the vertical Y direction. When a container is placed on the support platform 10, the opening of the container faces the beverage outlet 20. The beverage outlet 20 is used to dispense beverages into the container. Beverages include a second beverage and / or a first beverage. The second and first beverages can be beverages with different forms. The first beverage includes highly fluid beverages, such as water, juice, milk, coffee, cola, soy milk, etc.; the second beverage includes beverages with a fixed shape, elastic beverages, and beverages with poor fluidity, such as ice cubes, crushed ice, red beans, mung beans, peanuts, coconut jelly, taro balls, milk jelly, fruit jelly, herbal jelly, fruit puree, taro puree, ice cream, puffed snacks, baked goods, and tapioca pearls in bubble tea, etc.

[0030] The moving component 30 is used to move the beverage outlet 20 up and down in the vertical direction Y, so that the beverage outlet 20 moves away from or closer to the support platform 10 to match the height of the upper edge of the container. The moving component 30 can be a structure of servo motor and guide rail, or it can be a pneumatic drive device, which can drive the beverage outlet 20 to perform lifting and lowering movements.

[0031] The first sensing component 40 is used at least to sense whether a container and the height of the beverage outlet 20 are placed on the support platform 10. The first sensing component 40 can also be used to sense the height of the container on the support platform 10.

[0032] The first sensing component 40 includes a first signal transmitter 41 and a first signal receiver 42, which are respectively disposed on opposite sides of the support platform 10 and arranged opposite each other in the horizontal direction. The first signal transmitter 41 is used to emit a sensing signal, and the first signal receiver 42 is used to receive the sensing signal emitted by the first signal transmitter 41.

[0033] In some embodiments, when the beverage outlet 20 and the container are opaque, the first signal receiver 42 cannot receive a sensing signal if the signal transmission path between the first signal transmitter 41 and the first signal receiver 42 is blocked by the beverage outlet 20 or the container. When the beverage outlet 20 and the container are transparent or semi-transparent, the first signal receiver 42 may not receive a sensing signal or may receive a sensing signal, but the signal strength of the received sensing signal may be less than an intensity threshold, even if the signal transmission path between the first signal transmitter 41 and the first signal receiver 42 is not blocked by the beverage outlet 20 or the container. If the signal transmission path between the first signal transmitter 41 and the first signal receiver 42 is not blocked by the beverage outlet 20 or the container, the first signal receiver 42 will receive a sensing signal, and the signal strength of the sensing signal will be greater than or equal to the intensity threshold. Therefore, if the intensity of the sensing signal received by the first signal receiver 42 is less than the intensity threshold or no sensing signal is received, it is determined that the first sensing component 40 has sensed the beverage outlet 20 or the container.

[0034] The beverage outlet 20 is located at the lower end of the moving component 30. The height of the beverage outlet 20 can be sensed by sensing the height of the lower end of the moving component 30. Because the moving component 30 has a large extension along the vertical Y direction, the sensing accuracy is high.

[0035] The processor can be the core control unit of the beverage output device, for example, it can be a microcontroller (MCU), a programmable logic controller (PLC) or an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), but is not limited to these.

[0036] By placing the beverage outlet 20 above the support platform 10 for holding the container, and placing the first signal receiver 42 and the first signal transmitter 41 of the first sensing component 40 on opposite sides of the support platform 10, the first sensing component 40 can sense the beverage outlet 20 and the container on the support platform 10. The processor controls the moving component 30 and the beverage outlet 20 based on the sensing results of the first sensing component 40. This allows the processor to determine whether a container is placed on the support platform 10, the height of the container, and the height of the beverage outlet 20 based on the obstruction of the signal transmission path of the first sensing component 40. The system controls the moving component 30 to move the beverage outlet 20 vertically (Y) to a suitable height for dispensing the beverage. After the beverage outlet 20 reaches the suitable height, it controls the beverage outlet 20 to dispense the beverage. This reduces or prevents beverage splashing during dispensing and eliminates the need for users to manually control the height and dispensing of the beverage outlet 20. This simplifies the use of the beverage dispensing device, improves its efficiency and reliability, and enhances the user experience.

[0037] In some embodiments, such as Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the first sensing component 40 includes multiple sets of first transceiver components (not shown). Each set of first transceiver components includes a first signal transmitter 41 and a first signal receiver 42. The first signal transmitters 41 and first signal receivers 42 in the same set are arranged horizontally. The multiple sets of first transceiver components are arranged at intervals along the vertical Y direction.

[0038] In the same group of first transceiver components, the first signal transmitter 41 and the first signal receiver 42 are respectively arranged on opposite sides of the support platform 10 along the horizontal direction. The first signal transmitters 41 in multiple groups of first transceiver components can be arranged on the same side, and the first signal receivers 42 in multiple groups of first transceiver components can be arranged on the same other side; or, the first signal transmitters 41 in multiple groups of first transceiver components can be arranged on different sides, and the first signal receivers 42 in multiple groups of first transceiver components can also be arranged on different sides. For example, on the same side of the support platform 10, the first signal transmitters 41 and the first signal receivers 42 can be arranged alternately, as long as the first signal transmitters 41 and the first signal receivers 42 in the same group are arranged in the horizontal direction.

[0039] In some embodiments, the multiple sets of first transceiver components can be divided into two parts along the vertical direction Y. The part of the first transceiver component away from the carrier platform 10 (hereinafter referred to as the first part) is used to sense the height of the beverage outlet 20, and the part of the first transceiver component closer to the carrier platform 10 (hereinafter referred to as the second part) is used to sense whether a container is placed on the carrier platform 10 and the height of the container.

[0040] In some embodiments, if none of the first signal receivers 42 in the first part receive a sensing signal, it is determined that the beverage outlet 20 is located at a preset highest position; if there is a first transceiver component in the first part that can receive a sensing signal, it is determined that the height of the lower end face of the beverage outlet 20 is the height corresponding to the first transceiver component in the first part that can receive a sensing signal, or the height between the first transceiver component in the first part that can receive a sensing signal and the first transceiver component that does not receive a sensing signal.

[0041] In some embodiments, if the second part does not receive a sensing signal, it is determined that no container is placed on the carrier platform 10; if the second part has a first transceiver component that can receive a sensing signal, it is determined that a container is placed on the carrier platform 10, and it is determined that the height of the upper edge of the container near the beverage outlet 20 is the height of the first transceiver component that is closest to the beverage outlet 20 among the first transceiver components that can receive a sensing signal, or the height between the first transceiver component that can receive a sensing signal and the first transceiver component that does not receive a sensing signal in the second part.

[0042] By setting up multiple sets of first transceiver components spaced at intervals along the vertical Y direction, on the one hand, the multiple sets of first transceiver components can adapt to containers of different heights, improving the sensing adaptability and versatility of the first sensing component 40 to containers; on the other hand, the multiple sets of first transceiver components can perform step-by-step (gradually changing height) sensing of the beverage outlet 20 and the container along the vertical Y direction, so as to determine the height of which set of first transceiver components or the height between which two sets of first transceiver components the end of the beverage outlet 20 or the container is located at by observing the obstruction of the signal transmission path of the first transceiver components by the beverage outlet 20 or the container, thereby determining the specific height of the beverage outlet 20 or the container, and achieving accurate sensing of the height of the beverage outlet 20 and the container; furthermore, since the height of interfering objects such as user hands, insects, and pets is relatively thin and usually dynamic, step-by-step sensing by multiple sets of first transceiver components can eliminate environmental interference factors by determining the height and duration of obstruction, thereby reducing the probability of misjudgment and improving sensing accuracy.

[0043] When a user's hand, insects, pets, or other interfering objects move above the carrier platform 10, whether they are moving or suspended, multiple sets of first transceiver components can be set up to sense whether the signal transmission path of the first transceiver component closest to the carrier platform 10 is blocked, whether a tiered blockage is formed, and whether the duration of the tiered blockage is greater than or equal to a preset time interval. This determines whether the object above the carrier platform 10 is a container. If the signal transmission path of the first transceiver component closest to the carrier platform 10 is blocked, a tiered blockage is formed, and the duration of the tiered blockage is greater than or equal to the preset time interval, then the object is determined to be a container. If any one of the following conditions is not met, then the object is determined to be an interfering object. This allows the beverage output device to accurately distinguish between containers and interfering objects, reducing misjudgments.

[0044] The preset time interval can be 2s, 3s, 4.5s, 5s, 8s, 10s, 12s, 15s, 18s, 20s, 25s, 30s, 33s, 35s, 40s, 45s, 50s, 55s, 60s, etc., but is not limited to these.

[0045] In some embodiments, the first sensing component 40 includes N groups of first transceiver components arranged at intervals from top to bottom. Along the vertical direction Y, the beverage outlet 20 has a preset highest position and a preset lowest position. The preset highest position is located above the first group of first transceiver components. The preset lowest position is located above the Nth group of first transceiver components.

[0046] The preset lowest position of the beverage outlet 20 can be located above the first transceiver component of the Nth group, specifically between the first transceiver component of the first group and the first transceiver component of the Nth group. The specific position can be selected according to actual needs.

[0047] In some embodiments, the preset lowest position of the beverage outlet 20 is related to the first The first transceiver component in the group is set to be flush. The group is the value corresponding to the quotient obtained by dividing N by 2, or the value corresponding to the quotient rounded up. For example, if the quotient obtained by dividing N by 2 is an integer, then the group is... The group represents the value corresponding to the quotient. If the quotient obtained by dividing N by 2 is a decimal, then the N / 2th group represents the value corresponding to the quotient rounded up. Specifically, when the first sensing component 40 includes 11 groups of first transceiver components arranged at intervals from top to bottom, the... This group is also known as the 6th group; when the first sensing component 40 includes 10 groups of first transceiver components arranged at intervals from top to bottom, the 6th group... Group 5 is also known as Group 5.

[0048] In some embodiments, the number of groups of the first transceiver component can be 2, 4, 5, 7, 8, 10, 11, 12, 13, 15, 16, 18, 19, 21, 22, 25, etc., but is not limited thereto. The specific number of groups of the first transceiver component can be selected based on the distance between the end of the beverage outlet 20 closest to the support platform 10 and the support platform 10 when the beverage outlet 20 is located at a preset highest position.

[0049] The preset highest position is the initial position of the beverage outlet 20. In the non-operating state, the beverage outlet 20 is in its initial position. In the operating state, the beverage outlet 20 moves downwards under the action of the moving component 30 to reduce its height. The preset lowest position is the closest position to the support platform 10 that the beverage outlet 20 can reach in the vertical Y direction under the action of the moving component 30. When the beverage outlet 20 is in the preset highest position, the end of the beverage outlet 20 closest to the support platform 10 is located above the first set of first transceiver components, ensuring that the beverage outlet 20 does not obstruct the signal transmission path of any set of first transceiver components. When the beverage outlet 20 is in the preset lowest position, the beverage outlet 20 just manages to obstruct the signal transmission path of the first set of first transceiver components. The signal transmission path of the first transceiver component in the group.

[0050] When the moving component 30 moves the beverage outlet 20 upward to the preset highest position, the signal transmission path of the first group of first transceiver components switches from an obstructed state to an unobstructed state. That is, the first signal receiver 42 of the first group of first transceiver components switches from a state where it cannot receive a sensing signal or receives a sensing signal with a signal strength less than the strength threshold to a state where it can receive a sensing signal and the received sensing signal's signal strength is greater than or equal to the strength threshold. When the moving component 30 moves the beverage outlet 20 downward to the preset lowest position, the first... The signal transmission path of the first transceiver component in the group switches from an unobstructed state to an obstructed state, that is, the first... The first signal receiver 42 of the first transceiver component switches from a state where it receives a sensing signal and the signal strength of the received sensing signal is greater than or equal to a strength threshold, to a state where it does not receive a sensing signal or receives a sensing signal with a signal strength less than the strength threshold. This configuration allows the processor to immediately control the moving component 30 to stop moving or close when the moving component 30 drives the beverage outlet 20 to a preset highest or lowest position, thereby reducing the risk of the moving component 30 becoming stuck.

[0051] In some embodiments, if in the first From group N to the first transceiver component of group N, starting from group N (i.e., the signal transmission path of the first transceiver component of group N is blocked) to group N... If the signal transmission paths of multiple consecutive groups of the first transceiver components are blocked in the direction of the group, it indicates that a container is placed on the carrier platform 10. After the processor determines that a container is placed on the carrier platform 10, the first group to the second group... The first transceiver component in group 1 senses the height of the beverage outlet 20. If the first group to the second... If the signal transmission paths of the first transceiver component in the first group are all blocked, it indicates that the beverage output port 20 has moved down to the preset lowest position. At this time, the processor controls the beverage output port 20 to output the beverage; if the signal transmission paths of the first transceiver component in the first group are all blocked, it means that the beverage output port 20 has moved down to the preset lowest position. In the first transceiver component of the group, the first The signal transmission path of the first transceiver component in the group is not blocked, or from the first... If, from the beginning of the first group to the first transceiver component, the signal transmission path of multiple consecutive groups of first transceiver components is unobstructed, it indicates that the beverage output port 20 has not moved down to the preset lowest position. At this point, further control can be performed based on the type of beverage that the beverage output port 20 needs to output. For example, if the beverage output port 20 needs to output the first beverage, since the first beverage has highly fluid ingredients, it has less impact on the container and is less prone to splashing, the processor can directly control the beverage output port 20 to output the beverage. If the beverage output port 20 needs to output the second beverage, or a mixture of the second and first beverages, these types of beverages may splash or have a greater impact on the container. In this case, the processor controls the moving component 30 to move the beverage output port 20 down in the vertical Y direction until the first... The signal transmission path of the first transceiver component is blocked, causing the beverage outlet 20 to move down to a preset lowest position. When the beverage outlet 20 moves down to the preset lowest position, the processor controls the moving component 30 to stop moving down and controls the beverage outlet 20 to output beverage.

[0052] In some embodiments, the first Groups N through N, specifically the first transceiver component, can remain continuously powered on to continuously sense the status of containers on platform 10. Before the processor determines that a container is placed on platform 10, groups N through N... The first transceiver component of the group can remain off until the processor determines that a container is placed on the carrier platform 10, thus reducing the energy consumption of the beverage dispensing device. Of course, before the processor determines that a container is placed on the carrier platform 10, the first to the second transceiver components... The first transceiver component can also remain continuously powered on to facilitate rapid response and improve beverage output efficiency.

[0053] In some embodiments, if the container is relatively tall, it can form a support for the first... Even if some of the first transceiver components in the first group of the first transceiver components are blocked, the processor can also determine, based on the continuous blocking situation from the Nth group to the first group of the first transceiver components, which group of the first transceiver components the end of the container near the beverage outlet 20 is located at the height corresponding to the first transceiver component or at the height between the two groups of the first transceiver components. Then, it controls the moving component 30 to move the beverage outlet 20 and stop it above the first transceiver component whose signal transmission path is not blocked, so that the beverage outlet 20 can approach the container and stop above the container, avoiding collision between the beverage outlet 20 and the container.

[0054] In some embodiments, the first transceiver component of the Nth group is located at a preset minimum container height.

[0055] For containers with a relatively low height, this embodiment refers to them as preset minimum containers. When the preset minimum container is placed on the support platform 10, the Nth group of first transceiver components can be located at the same horizontal height as the preset minimum container, or the height of the Nth group of first transceiver components can be slightly lower than the height of the preset minimum container, so that the signal transmission path of the Nth group of first transceiver components can be blocked by the preset minimum container, thereby enabling the first sensing component 40 to sense the preset minimum container and reducing or avoiding the phenomenon of the preset minimum container being missed.

[0056] In some embodiments, such as Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the first sensing component 40 further includes at least an auxiliary transceiver component 43 disposed below the Nth group of first transceiver components along the vertical direction Y. The processor performs redundant sensing of the container based on the sensing results of the auxiliary transceiver component 43.

[0057] The first sensing component 40 includes at least one set of auxiliary transceiver components 43, which are arranged at intervals along the vertical direction Y. The type of the auxiliary transceiver components 43 can be the same as that of the first transceiver component. Each auxiliary transceiver component 43 also includes a signal transmitter 431 and a signal receiver 432, which are arranged along the horizontal direction Y. The number of auxiliary transceiver components 43 can be less than that of the first transceiver component. The number of sets of auxiliary transceiver components 43 can be 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, etc., but is not limited to these.

[0058] In this embodiment, the number of groups of the first transceiver component is 11, and the number of groups of the auxiliary transceiver component 43 is 2.

[0059] Redundant sensing refers to the simultaneous sensing by the auxiliary transceiver component 43 and the first transceiver component, with the processor fusing the sensing results from both components.

[0060] By setting an auxiliary transceiver component 43 below the first transceiver component in the Nth group, on the one hand, the auxiliary transceiver component 43 can sense containers with lower height, enabling the first sensing component 40 to handle a variety of containers, suitable for beverage dispensing devices in homes or public places; on the other hand, it can sense the area near the support platform 10, and cooperate with the first transceiver component to perform step-by-step sensing along the vertical direction Y, which helps the beverage dispensing device to more accurately distinguish containers and interference, further reducing the probability of misjudgment and improving sensing accuracy.

[0061] In some embodiments, the beverage dispensing device includes a housing 50. The housing 50 has a bottom wall (not shown), a top wall (not shown) opposite the bottom wall, two side walls (not shown) disposed on opposite sides of the support platform 10, and a back wall (not shown), the back wall connecting the bottom wall, top wall, and side walls. The bottom wall and top wall are arranged in a direction parallel to the vertical direction Y, and the side walls are arranged in a direction parallel to the horizontal direction.

[0062] The two side walls can be arranged in the left-right direction X. The first signal transmitter 41 and the first signal receiver 42 are respectively disposed on the two side walls, so that the first signal transmitter 41 and the first signal receiver 42 can be arranged in the left-right direction X to sense the container and beverage outlet 20 on the support platform 10 from the left-right direction X. The beverage outlet 20 is disposed on the top wall, and the support platform 10 is located above the bottom wall, so that the beverage outlet 20 and the support platform 10 are arranged in the vertical direction Y.

[0063] In some embodiments, the first sensing component 40 includes an infrared pair or an ultrasonic sensing component, but is not limited thereto.

[0064] In some embodiments, the beverage outlet 20 includes a first beverage outlet (not shown) and a second beverage outlet (not shown). The beverage dispensing device also includes a second sensing component 60, which is disposed on the side wall along the front-back direction Z, and is positioned close to the second beverage outlet relative to the first sensing component 40. The second sensing component 60 is connected to a processor, which is further configured to determine, based on the sensing results of the second sensing component 60, whether the front-back distance between the container and the back wall is less than or equal to a preset distance, in order to determine whether the front-back distance between the container and the second beverage outlet meets the beverage dispensing requirements of the second beverage outlet.

[0065] The first and second beverage outlets are used to dispense beverages of different forms into the container. The first and second beverage outlets can be arranged in a Z-direction, with the second beverage outlet positioned relative to the first beverage outlet closer to the rear of the support platform 10. During beverage dispensing, the container may be placed too close to the front of the support platform 10, causing the beverage dispensed from the second beverage outlet to fall onto the support platform 10, hit the edge of the container opening, or splash outwards. This embodiment uses a second sensing component 60 to sense the container and determine whether the front-to-back distance between the container and the back wall is less than or equal to a preset distance. This determines whether the front-to-back distance between the container and the second beverage outlet meets the beverage dispensing requirements, reducing the probability of these phenomena or eliminating them altogether.

[0066] Since the front-to-back distance between the back wall and the second beverage outlet is fixed, by determining whether the front-to-back distance between the container and the back wall is less than or equal to a preset distance, it is possible to determine whether the front-to-back distance between the center line of the container along the vertical direction Y and the center line of the second beverage outlet along the vertical direction Y meets the beverage output requirements, or to determine whether the absolute value of the difference between the distance between the center line of the container along the vertical direction Y and the back wall and the distance between the center line of the second beverage outlet along the vertical direction Y and the back wall meets the beverage output requirements.

[0067] If the second sensing component 60 fails to receive a sensing signal or the signal strength of the received sensing signal is less than a threshold value, it indicates that the signal transmission path of the second sensing component 60 is blocked by the container. Based on this, the processor determines that the front-to-back distance between the container and the back wall is less than or equal to a preset distance, and that the container is within the falling range of the beverage from the second beverage outlet. The processor then controls the second beverage outlet to dispense beverages. If the second sensing component 60 receives a sensing signal with a signal strength greater than or equal to the threshold value, it indicates that the signal transmission path of the second sensing component 60 is not blocked by the container. Based on this, the processor determines that the front-to-back distance between the container and the back wall is greater than a preset distance, and that the container is outside the falling range of the beverage from the second beverage outlet. The processor then controls the second beverage outlet to stop dispensing beverages or remain in a state where no beverages are dispensed.

[0068] The processor determines whether the front-to-back distance between the container and the back wall is less than or equal to a preset distance based on the sensing results of the second sensing component 60. This ensures that the front-to-back distance between the container and the back wall meets the preset distance required for the second beverage outlet to dispense beverages. Based on the sensing results of the second sensing component 60, the position of the container is adjusted so that the container is within the falling range of the beverage dispensed from the second beverage outlet. This allows the beverage dispensed from the second beverage outlet to fall accurately into the container, reducing or preventing beverages from falling onto the support platform 10, hitting the edge of the container opening, or splashing outwards. This reduces or prevents beverage waste and dirt accumulation on the beverage dispensing device and its surrounding area, thus improving the user experience.

[0069] In some embodiments, the processor is at least configured to generate a first beverage output command based on the sensing result of the first sensing component 40, and to generate a second beverage output command based on the sensing result of the second sensing component 60. The first beverage output port outputs a first beverage in response to the first beverage output command, and the second beverage output port outputs a second beverage in response to the second beverage output command; the first beverage and the second beverage are at least partially different.

[0070] When the first sensing component 40 senses that a container is placed on the support platform 10, the side of the container near the back wall may be located between the first beverage outlet and the second beverage outlet, and the front-to-back distance between the container and the back wall is greater than a preset distance. If the second beverage outlet outputs the second beverage at this time, it may cause the second beverage to fall on the support platform 10, hit the edge of the container opening, or fall outward and splash. Therefore, the second sensing component 60 senses the front-to-back distance between the container and the back wall, and the processor generates a second beverage output command when the front-to-back distance between the container and the back wall is less than or equal to the preset distance, so as to control the second beverage outlet to output the second beverage and avoid the above phenomenon.

[0071] If the signal transmission path of the second sensing component 60 is blocked, preventing it from receiving the sensing signal, it indicates that the front-to-back distance between the container and the back wall is less than or equal to a preset distance, and the container is within the landing range of the beverage output from the second beverage outlet. In this case, the processor can generate a second beverage output command, and the second beverage output outlet responds to the second beverage output command by outputting the second beverage. If the second sensing component 60 determines that the front-to-back distance between the container and the back wall is greater than the preset distance, it indicates that the container is not within the landing range of the beverage output from the second beverage outlet. In this case, the processor cannot generate a second beverage output command and triggers an alarm to adjust the position of the container based on the alarm signal.

[0072] In some embodiments, the beverage dispensing device further includes a prompting component (not shown). The prompting component is connected to the processor and is used to output prompting information indicating whether the container is within the falling range of the beverage dispensed from the first beverage dispensing port and / or the second beverage dispensing port. For example, when the user triggers the first beverage dispensing command and / or the second beverage dispensing command, if neither the first sensing component 40 nor the second sensing component 60 can detect the container (cannot receive a sensing signal or the received sensing signal has a weak signal strength), the prompting component outputs a prompting information indicating that there is no container on the carrier platform 10; if the first sensing component 40 can detect the container (can receive a sensing signal with a strong signal strength), but the second sensing component 60 cannot detect the container, the prompting component outputs a prompting information indicating that the container is deviated from the second beverage dispensing port, to remind the user to place the container on the carrier platform 10 or adjust the position of the container.

[0073] In some embodiments, the second sensing component 60 includes a second signal transmitter 61 and a second signal receiver 62. The first signal transmitter 41 and the second signal transmitter 61 are disposed on one side wall along the front-rear direction Z, with the second signal transmitter 61 positioned closer to the second beverage outlet than the first signal transmitter 41. The second signal receiver 62 and the first signal receiver 42 are disposed on the other side wall along the front-rear direction Z, with the second signal receiver 62 positioned closer to the second beverage outlet than the first signal receiver 42.

[0074] The line connecting the second signal transmitter 61 and the second signal receiver 62 can be arranged to intersect the center line of the second beverage outlet along the vertical Y direction, or the projection of the second beverage outlet on the support platform 10 can be located within the projection of the signal transmission path of the second sensing component 60 on the support platform 10, or the projection of the second beverage outlet on the support platform 10 can be located away from the back wall. In this case, considering that the container has a certain thickness, it is desirable to detect that the position of the container is close to the back wall relative to the second beverage outlet, so as to avoid the beverage hitting the opening edge of the container or splashing outwards.

[0075] In some embodiments, the second sensing component 60 includes an infrared pair or an ultrasonic sensing component, but is not limited thereto.

[0076] In some embodiments, such as Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of the beverage dispensing device provided in this application. Figure 4This is a schematic diagram of the optical path structure of an embodiment of the third sensing component in the beverage output device provided in this application. The beverage output device also includes a third sensing component 70. The third sensing component 70 is disposed on the back wall and connected to the processor. The third sensing component 70 includes at least two sets of third transceiver components (not shown in the figure), and the third transceiver components are provided on both sides of the beverage output port 20 along the left-right direction X. Wherein, as... Figure 4 As shown, the signal receiving area B1 of each group of third transceiver components at least partially covers its signal transmitting area A1, and the signal transmitting area A1 is arranged parallel to or at an angle to the front-back direction Z along the inner edge d of the beverage outlet 20 in the left-right direction X. The processor is also used to determine whether the container has shifted left or right relative to the beverage outlet 20 based on the sensing results of the third sensing component 70.

[0077] The beverage dispensing device is equipped with a third sensing component 70 located behind the support platform 10 (e.g., the back wall of the housing 50) along the front-back direction Z. The third sensing component 70 includes at least two sets of third transceiver components arranged on both sides of the beverage dispensing port 20 along the left-right direction X. The sensing results of the container on the support platform 10 by these third transceiver components can determine whether the container has shifted left or right, thereby realizing the detection of the left-right shift of the container. The signal transmission area A1 of the third transceiver component is arranged parallel to or at an angle to the front-back direction Z along the left-right direction X near the inner edge d of the beverage dispensing port 20. This allows the sensing signal of the third transceiver component to be transmitted forward. The signal receiving area B1 of each set of third transceiver components at least partially covers its signal transmission area A1, which can increase the probability that the third transceiver component successfully receives the reflected signal of its transmitted sensing signal, thereby improving the sensing accuracy of the container in front.

[0078] In some embodiments, the signal transmission area A1 of the third transceiver component is parallel or approximately parallel to the inner edge d of the beverage outlet 20 along the left-right direction X and the front-back direction Z. This allows the sensing signal of the third transceiver component to be transmitted directly in front or approximately in front, making it difficult for containers that are offset (or excessively offset) to be detected by the sensing signal of the third transceiver component, thereby improving the sensing accuracy of the container.

[0079] In some embodiments, the signal receiving area B1 of each group of third transceiver components can cover all or part of its signal transmitting area A1, that is, the signal receiving area B1 covers the reflection path of the sensing signal, so that the signal receiving area B1 can successfully receive the reflected signal of the sensing signal emitted by the third transceiver component, thereby improving the sensing accuracy of the container that is directly in front or nearly directly in front.

[0080] The third sensing component 70 is located above the support platform 10 and in the area between the support platform 10 and the beverage outlet 20 along the vertical Y direction, so that the sensing signal emitted by the third sensing component 70 is not reflected by the support platform 10 and the beverage outlet 20. When a container is placed on the support platform 10, the sensing signal emitted by the third sensing component 70 will be reflected by the container, so that the third sensing component 70 can receive the signal reflected by the container, and the signal strength is greater than or equal to the strength threshold. When there is no container on the support platform 10, the sensing signal emitted by the third sensing component 70 will not be reflected, resulting in the third sensing component 70 being unable to receive the reflected signal or receiving a weak reflected signal (less than the strength threshold, or close to 0), thereby realizing the determination of whether a container is placed on the support platform 10 based on whether the third sensing component 70 can receive the reflected signal and the signal strength of the reflected signal.

[0081] In some embodiments, the position of the container relative to the beverage outlet 20 can be determined by determining whether the number of groups of third transceiver components receiving the reflected signal located on the left and right sides of the beverage outlet 20 along the left-right direction X is equal. If the number of third transceiver components located on the left and right sides of the beverage outlet 20 is equal, it indicates that the container has not shifted left or right relative to the beverage outlet 20; otherwise, it indicates that the container has shifted left or right relative to the beverage outlet 20. Alternatively, if the difference between the number of third transceiver components on the left and the number of third transceiver components on the right exceeds a difference threshold, it indicates that the container has shifted left or right relative to the beverage outlet 20. This difference threshold can be adjusted based on the detection accuracy of the left-right shift and / or the arrangement density of the third transceiver components.

[0082] In some embodiments, at least two sets of third transceiver components are symmetrically arranged along the left-right direction X with the beverage outlet 20 as the center. This embodiment, by symmetrically arranging the third transceiver components with the beverage outlet 20 as the center, can further improve the accuracy of the container's left-right offset.

[0083] The specific number of the third transceiver components can be 2 to 30, for example, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 14, 16, 20, 24, 28, 30, etc., but is not limited to this. The specific number of the third transceiver components can be selected according to the dimensions of the support platform 10 along the left-right direction X. Multiple sets of third transceiver components are symmetrically arranged along the left-right direction X with the beverage outlet 20 as the center. That is, with the beverage outlet 20 as the center, the number of third transceiver components located to the left of the beverage outlet 20 is equal to the number of third transceiver components located to the right of the beverage outlet 20. For example, when the specific number of the third transceiver components is 16, with the beverage outlet 20 as the center, the number of third transceiver components located to the left of the beverage outlet 20 is 8, and the number of third transceiver components located to the right of the beverage outlet 20 is also 8.

[0084] In some embodiments, the third transceiver components on both sides of the beverage outlet 20 may be slightly asymmetrical, and the accuracy of left and right offset detection can be improved by setting the above-mentioned difference threshold and density.

[0085] like Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, each group of third transceiver components includes a third signal transmitter 71 and a third signal receiver 72. The third signal transmitters 71 and third signal receivers 72 in the same group can be arranged along the left-right direction X. In other embodiments, the third signal transmitters 71 and third signal receivers 72 in the same group of third transceiver components can also be arranged along the vertical direction or other inclined directions (not the front-back direction). This application embodiment describes the example of the third signal transmitters 71 and third signal receivers 72 being arranged along the left-right direction X.

[0086] The third signal transmitter 71 is used to emit a sensing signal, and the area covered by its emission field of view constitutes the signal emission area A1. The third signal receiver 72 is used to receive the reflected signal of the sensing signal emitted by the third signal transmitter 71 in the same group, which is reflected back by the container, and the area covered by its receiving field of view constitutes the signal receiving area B1. The receiving field of view of each group of third transceiver components is greater than its transmitting field of view, so that the signal receiving area B1 of each group of third transceiver components at least partially covers its signal transmitting area A1. This allows the third transceiver components to capture all or most of the reflected signals of the transmitted sensing signals reflected by the container, which increases the probability that the third transceiver group can successfully receive the reflected signals of its transmitted sensing signals and avoids the occurrence of receiving blind spots that cause signal loss due to reflections from the container. This improves the sensing accuracy of containers in front. Furthermore, the inner edge d of the signal transmitting area A1 along the left-right direction X near the beverage outlet 20 is parallel or approximately parallel to the front-back direction Z, which allows the sensing signals of the third transceiver components to be transmitted directly or approximately directly in front, making it difficult for containers that are offset to the left or right to be detected by the sensing signals of the third transceiver components, thereby further improving the sensing accuracy of containers.

[0087] In some embodiments, the third sensing component 70 includes an infrared pair or an ultrasonic sensing component, but is not limited thereto.

[0088] In some embodiments, such as Figure 3 and Figure 5 As shown, Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the optical path structure of an embodiment of the fourth sensing component in the beverage output device provided in this application. The beverage output device further includes a fourth sensing component 80. The fourth sensing component 80 is disposed on the back wall or side wall and connected to the processor. The fourth sensing component 80 includes at least one set of fourth transceiver components (not shown in the figure), used to sense whether the horizontal distance between the container and the back wall or side wall is less than or equal to a preset distance E, so as to determine whether the horizontal distance between the container and the beverage output port 20 meets the beverage output requirements. The signal transmission area A2 and the signal reception area B2 of the fourth transceiver component have an overlapping area, and the maximum dimension of the overlapping area in the horizontal direction is the preset distance E.

[0089] Wherein, if the fourth sensing component 80 is disposed on the back wall, the fourth sensing component 80 is used to sense whether the front-to-back distance between the container and the back wall is less than or equal to a preset distance; if the fourth sensing component 80 is disposed on the side wall, the fourth sensing component 80 is used to sense whether the left-to-right distance between the container and the side wall is less than or equal to a preset distance. The following embodiments are described using the example of the fourth sensing component 80 being disposed on the back wall.

[0090] The fourth sensing component 80 is located above the support platform 10 and between the support platform 10 and the beverage outlet 20, so that the sensing signal emitted by the fourth sensing component 80 is not reflected by the support platform 10 and the beverage outlet 20. The front-to-back distance between the container and the back wall can be the distance between the side of the container facing the back wall or the distance between the two sides of the container along the left-right direction X and the distance between the container and the back wall along the front-to-back direction Y.

[0091] The fourth sensing component 80 includes at least one set of fourth transceiver components (not shown). The fourth transceiver components are used to transmit sensing signals and receive reflected signals from the container. The area covered by the receiving field of view of the fourth transceiver component constitutes the signal receiving area B2, and the area covered by the transmitting field of view of the fourth transceiver component constitutes the signal transmitting area A2. The receiving field of view angle and the transmitting field of view angle of the fourth transceiver component intersect, so that the signal transmitting area A2 and the signal receiving area B2 have an overlapping area. The overlapping area of ​​the signal transmitting area A2 and the signal receiving area B2 is also the effective sensing area of ​​the fourth transceiver component. Only when the container is located within the overlapping area can the fourth transceiver component receive the reflected signal. The overlapping area covers the projection of the beverage outlet 20 onto the support platform 10. Therefore, the processor can determine whether the container is located within the overlapping area by determining whether the fourth transceiver component can receive the reflected signal, thereby determining whether the front-to-back distance between the container and the back wall is less than or equal to a preset distance E. If the front-to-back distance between the container and the back wall is less than or equal to the preset distance E, it means that the container is within the falling range of the beverage output from the beverage outlet 20; otherwise, it means that the container is outside the falling range of the beverage output from the beverage outlet 20.

[0092] Here, "container located within overlapping area" means that the container is completely located within the overlapping area, or that part of the container is located within the overlapping area. Since the front-to-back distance between the back wall and the beverage outlet 20 is fixed, by determining whether the front-to-back distance between the container and the back wall is less than or equal to a preset distance E, it is possible to determine whether the front-to-back distance between the center line of the container along the vertical direction Y and the center line of the beverage outlet 20 along the vertical direction Y meets the beverage output requirements, or whether the absolute value of the difference between the distance between the center line of the container along the vertical direction Y and the back wall and the distance between the center line of the beverage outlet 20 along the vertical direction Y and the back wall meets the beverage output requirements.

[0093] The overlapping area has a farthest end and a nearest end along the front-back direction Z. The farthest end is the intersection point of the signal transmitting area A2 and the signal receiving area B2 along the front-back direction Z, which is furthest from the fourth transceiver component. The nearest end is the intersection point of the signal transmitting area A2 and the signal receiving area B2 along the front-back direction Z, which is closest to the fourth transceiver component. When the container is located in the overlapping area between the farthest end and the nearest end, the container can reflect the sensing signal emitted by the fourth transceiver component back to the fourth transceiver component. The farthest end is the farthest position that the fourth transceiver component can sense along the front-back direction Z. The maximum size of the overlapping area along the front-back direction Z can be the sum of the distance between the center of symmetry of the fourth signal transmitter 81 and the fourth signal receiver 82 along the left-right direction X and the nearest end, and the distance between the farthest end and the nearest end. That is, along the front-back direction Z, the distance between the center of symmetry of the fourth signal transmitter 81 and the fourth signal receiver 82 along the left-right direction X and the farthest end is a preset distance E.

[0094] When part of the container is located within the overlapping area, the sensing signal emitted by the fourth transceiver component can pass through the container and be reflected back to the fourth transceiver component, thereby determining that the front-to-back distance between the container and the back wall is less than or equal to a preset distance E. When the container is located at the farthest end of the overlapping area along the front-to-back direction Z, away from the fourth transceiver component, the sensing signal emitted by the fourth transceiver component cannot reach the farthest end of the overlapping area away from the fourth transceiver component. Therefore, the emitted sensing signal cannot be reflected back by the container, and the fourth transceiver component cannot receive the signal, or the received signal strength is low (e.g., less than the strength threshold, or close to 0), thereby determining that the front-to-back distance between the container and the back wall is greater than the preset distance E.

[0095] Along the vertical direction Z, the projection of the beverage outlet 20 onto the support platform 10 on the side closest to the back wall or the center of the projection can be slightly larger than the maximum horizontal dimension of the overlapping area of ​​the signal transmitting area A2 and the signal receiving area B2. That is, the projection of the beverage outlet 20 onto the support platform 10 is located in the overlapping area away from the back wall, so that when the horizontal distance between the container and the side of the support platform 10 is less than or equal to the preset distance E, the projection of the beverage outlet 20 onto the support platform 10 is located inside the container. In other words, the horizontal distance between the container and the side of the support platform 10 is within the falling range that meets the requirements of the beverage outlet 20 to output beverage, so that the beverage output from the beverage outlet 20 can fall accurately into the container.

[0096] This embodiment can determine whether the front-to-back distance between the container and the side is within the falling range that meets the requirements of the beverage outlet 20 for dispensing beverages. This allows the user to adjust the position of the container based on the sensing results, ensuring that the beverages dispensed from the beverage outlet 20 can fall accurately into the container. This reduces or avoids the phenomenon of beverages falling onto the support platform 10, hitting the edge of the container opening, or splashing outwards, thus improving the user experience.

[0097] The side can be the rear, left, or right side.

[0098] In some embodiments, the fourth sensing component 80 can determine whether the horizontal distance between the container and the second beverage outlet meets the beverage dispensing requirements. The fourth sensing component 80 and the second sensing component 60 are optionally configured.

[0099] In some embodiments, the fourth sensing component 80 includes an infrared pair or an ultrasonic sensing component, but is not limited thereto.

[0100] In some embodiments, the signal transmitter includes an infrared transmitter and the signal receiver includes an infrared receiver; or the signal transmitter includes an ultrasonic transmitter and the signal receiver includes an ultrasonic receiver.

[0101] Infrared emitters are used to emit infrared light signals of specific wavelengths. Their core structure may include a light-emitting diode chip and a corresponding optical lens. Infrared receivers convert the light signal into an electrical signal using a photodiode or phototransistor, and are usually equipped with filters to improve the signal-to-noise ratio, thereby improving sensing accuracy. Infrared technology enables non-contact signal transmission, avoiding the wear and tear problems of traditional mechanical contact parts and significantly improving the long-term reliability of the equipment.

[0102] An ultrasonic transmitter tube emits ultrasonic signals at a specific frequency. Its core structure may include a piezoelectric ceramic resonator and a corresponding acoustic lens. The ultrasonic receiver tube converts the acoustic signal into an electrical signal using a piezoelectric sensor. It is typically equipped with an acoustic filter to improve the signal-to-noise ratio, thereby increasing detection accuracy. Ultrasonic technology enables non-contact signal transmission, avoiding the wear and tear problems of traditional mechanical contact parts and significantly improving the long-term reliability of the equipment.

[0103] In some embodiments, either the fourth sensing component or the second sensing component may be configured, or both may be configured simultaneously to achieve redundant sensing.

[0104] In some embodiments, such as Figure 1 and Figure 2As shown, the beverage dispensing device also includes a weight sensing component 90. The weight sensing component 90 is disposed on the support platform 10 and connected to the processor. The processor is also used to sense the container and / or the beverage inside the container based on the sensing results of the weight sensing component 90.

[0105] The weight sensing component 90 includes one or more weight sensors. The weight sensors are located between the bottom wall and the support platform 10, and the top of the weight sensors can directly contact the support platform 10.

[0106] In some embodiments, the weight sensing component 90 includes a weight sensor, which may be disposed between the center of the support platform 10 in the left-right direction X and the bottom wall. The weight sensor can be used to sense whether there is a container on the support platform 10, the weight of the container, and the weight of the beverage inside the container.

[0107] Specifically, when no container is placed on the support platform 10, the processor obtains the sensing result of the weight sensing component 90 as m1. If the processor obtains the sensing result of the weight sensing component 90 as m2 in real time or within a preset time period, and m2-m1≥10g, then the processor determines that a container is placed on the support platform 10 based on the weight sensing component 90, and determines the weight of the container as m2-m1. After controlling the beverage output port 20 to output beverage, that is, during the process of the beverage output port 20 filling the container with beverage, the sensing result of the weight sensing component 90 is m3, and the total weight of the container and the beverage inside is determined to be m3 based on the sensing result of the weight sensing component 90. Among them, the weight of the beverage inside the container is m3-m2.

[0108] In some embodiments, such as Figure 6 As shown, Figure 6 This is a partial structural diagram of the beverage dispensing device according to the third embodiment of this application. The weight sensing component 90 may include two weight sensors, namely a first weight sensor 91 and a second weight sensor 92. The sensing results of the first weight sensor 91 and the second weight sensor 92 can also be used to determine whether the container has shifted relative to the beverage dispensing port 20. The first weight sensor 91 and the second weight sensor 92 are respectively disposed on the left and right sides of the support platform 10 with the beverage dispensing port 20 as the center along the left-right direction X. The sensing results of the first weight sensor 91 and the second weight sensor 92 can also be used to determine whether the container has shifted left or right relative to the beverage dispensing port 20.

[0109] The projection center of the beverage outlet 20 toward the support platform 10 can coincide with the central axis of the support platform 10 in the left-right direction X. One of the first weight sensor 91 and the second weight sensor 92 can be located between one end of the support platform 10 in the left-right direction X and the bottom wall, and the other can be located between the other end of the support platform 10 in the left-right direction X and the bottom wall, used to sense whether the container has shifted left or right relative to the beverage outlet 20. In this embodiment, the first weight sensor 91 is located between the left side of the support platform 10 and the bottom wall, and the second weight sensor 92 is located between the right side of the support platform 10 and the bottom wall. The offset D of the container satisfies:

[0110]

[0111] Where L is the horizontal distance between the first weight sensor 91 and the second weight sensor 92. G1 is the sensing result of the first weight sensor 91, and G2 is the sensing result of the second weight sensor 92. The sign of D indicates the left or right offset direction; the absolute value of D indicates the offset amount.

[0112] Before placing the container on the support platform 10, it is necessary to ensure that D = 0 to avoid misjudgment. When placing the container on the support platform 10, if D = 0, it means that the container is not offset to the left or right relative to the beverage outlet 20; if D is a positive value, it means that the container is offset to the right, and the absolute value of D represents the amount of offset to the right. If D is a negative value, it means that the container is offset to the left, and the absolute value of D represents the amount of offset to the left.

[0113] By placing the first weight sensor 91 and the second weight sensor 92 on the left and right sides of the support platform 10 centered on the beverage outlet 20 along the left-right direction X, it is possible to sense whether the container is offset to the left or right relative to the beverage outlet 20, the amount of offset and the direction of offset, so as to adjust the position of the container so that the beverage output from the beverage outlet 20 can fall accurately into the container. This can reduce or avoid the phenomenon of beverage falling on the support platform 10, hitting the edge of the container opening or splashing outward, which helps to improve the user experience.

[0114] In other embodiments, the weight sensing component 90 may also include two or more weight sensors, which can use a method similar to the principle described above to achieve weight sensing and / or container offset detection.

[0115] In some embodiments, such as Figure 7 As shown, Figure 7This is a partial structural diagram of the beverage dispensing device according to the fourth embodiment of this application. The weight sensing component 90 includes three weight sensors: a third weight sensor 93, a fourth weight sensor 94, and a fifth weight sensor 95. The third weight sensor 93 and the fourth weight sensor 94 are respectively located at opposite ends of the support platform 10 along the left-right direction X, centered on the beverage dispensing port 20. Specifically, the third weight sensor 93 is located between the left side and the bottom wall of the support platform 10, and the fourth weight sensor 94 is located between the right side and the bottom wall of the support platform 10. The fifth weight sensor 95 is located on the axis of symmetry between the third weight sensor 93 and the fourth weight sensor 94, and is positioned closer to the rear of the support platform 10 relative to the third and fourth weight sensors 93 and 94. The projection center of the beverage dispensing port 20 onto the support platform 10 is located on the vertical line connecting the center of symmetry of the third weight sensor 93 and the fourth weight sensor 94 and the fifth weight sensor 95. The lines connecting any pair of the third weight sensor 93, the fourth weight sensor 94, and the fifth weight sensor 95 form isosceles triangles.

[0116] The offset D of the container in the left-right direction X relative to the beverage outlet 20 x1 satisfy:

[0117]

[0118] Where L1 is the horizontal distance between the third weight sensor 93 and the fourth weight sensor 94, G3 is the sensing result of the third weight sensor 93, G4 is the sensing result of the fourth weight sensor 94, G5 is the sensing result of the fifth weight sensor 95, and G... a The sum of the sensing results from the third weight sensor 93, the fourth weight sensor 94, and the fifth weight sensor 95, i.e., G a =G3 + G4 + G5. D x1 The sign of D indicates the left or right offset direction of the container. x1 The absolute value represents the left and right offset.

[0119] The offset D of the container along the front-to-back direction Z relative to the beverage outlet 20 z1 satisfy:

[0120]

[0121] Where L2 is the vertical distance between the line connecting the third weight sensor 93 and the fourth weight sensor 94 and the fifth weight sensor 95, and D1 is the vertical distance between the projection center of the beverage outlet 20 on the support platform 10 and the center of symmetry of the third weight sensor 93 and the fourth weight sensor 94. z1 The sign of D indicates the direction of the container's forward or backward offset. z1The absolute value of G represents the offset. a For a description of G5, please refer to the above embodiments.

[0122] Before placing the container on the support platform 10, it is necessary to ensure that D x1 =D z1 =0, to avoid misjudgment. When placing the container on the support platform 10, if D x1 =D z1 =0, which means the container has no left or right offset or front or back offset relative to the beverage outlet 20. If D x1 A positive value indicates that the container has shifted to the right, D. x1 The absolute value of D represents the amount of offset to the right of the container; if D x1 A negative value indicates that the container has shifted to the left, D. x1 The absolute value of D represents the amount of offset to the left of the container. z1 A positive value indicates that the container has shifted backward, D z1 The absolute value of D represents the amount of backward offset of the container; if D z1 A negative value indicates that the container has shifted forward, D z1 The absolute value of the value represents the amount of forward offset of the container.

[0123] In some embodiments, such as Figure 8 As shown, Figure 8 This is a partial structural diagram of the beverage dispensing device according to the fifth embodiment of this application. The weight sensing component 90 includes four weight sensors: a sixth weight sensor 96, a seventh weight sensor 97, an eighth weight sensor 98, and a ninth weight sensor 99. The sixth weight sensor 96 and the ninth weight sensor 99 are located at one end of the support platform 10 along the left-right direction X, centered on the beverage dispensing port 20, and are arranged along the front-back direction Z. The seventh weight sensor 97 and the eighth weight sensor 98 are located at the other end of the support platform 10 along the left-right direction X, centered on the beverage dispensing port 20, and are arranged along the front-back direction Z.

[0124] The horizontal distance between the sixth weight sensor 96 and the seventh weight sensor 97 is equal to the horizontal distance between the eighth weight sensor 98 and the ninth weight sensor 99. The intersection of the line connecting the sixth weight sensor 96 and the eighth weight sensor 98 with the line connecting the seventh weight sensor 97 and the ninth weight sensor 99 is located at the projection center of the beverage outlet 20 onto the support platform 10.

[0125] The offset D of the container in the left-right direction X relative to the beverage outlet 20 x2 satisfy:

[0126]

[0127] Where L3 is the horizontal distance between the sixth weight sensor 96 and the seventh weight sensor 97, G6 is the sensing result of the sixth weight sensor 96, G7 is the sensing result of the seventh weight sensor 97, G8 is the sensing result of the eighth weight sensor 98, G9 is the sensing result of the ninth weight sensor 99, and G... b G is the sum of the sensing results from the sixth weight sensor 96, the seventh weight sensor 97, the eighth weight sensor 98, and the ninth weight sensor 99. b =G6+G7+G8+G9. D x2 The sign of D indicates the left or right offset direction of the container. x2 The absolute value represents the left and right offset.

[0128] The offset D of the container along the front-to-back direction Z relative to the beverage outlet 20 z2 satisfy:

[0129]

[0130] Where L4 is the horizontal distance between the seventh weight sensor 97 and the eighth weight sensor 98, and D2 is the vertical distance between the projection center of the beverage outlet 20 on the support platform 10 and the center of symmetry of the sixth weight sensor 96 and the seventh weight sensor 97. z2 The sign of D indicates the direction of the container's forward or backward offset. z2 The absolute value represents the offset. Regarding G6, G7, G8, G9, and G... b Please refer to the above embodiments for related descriptions.

[0131] Before placing the container on the support platform 10, it is necessary to ensure that D x2 =D z2 =0, to avoid misjudgment. When placing the container on the support platform 10, if D x2 =D z2 =0, which means the container has no left or right offset or front or back offset relative to the beverage outlet 20. If D x2 A positive value indicates that the container has shifted to the right, D. x2 The absolute value of D represents the amount of offset to the right of the container; if D x2 A negative value indicates that the container has shifted to the left, D. x2 The absolute value of D represents the amount of offset to the left of the container. z2 A positive value indicates that the container has shifted forward, D z2The absolute value of D represents the amount of forward offset of the container; if D z2 A negative value indicates that the container has shifted backward, D z2 The absolute value of the value represents the amount of backward offset of the container.

[0132] It should be noted that if there is already a beverage in the container, the weight of the container is the sum of the weight of the container itself and the weight of the beverage that was already in the container before the beverage was dispensed. The weight of the beverage in the container is the weight of the added beverage.

[0133] In some embodiments, an ultrasonic detector may also be used to implement other sensing components besides the weight sensing component 90. The ultrasonic detector can sense the container height, beverage outlet height, beverage height inside the container, container left and right offset, horizontal distance, etc.

[0134] In some embodiments, infrared tubes can be used to implement other sensing components besides the weight sensing component 90, for sensing of container height, beverage output height, container left and right offset, horizontal distance, etc., and liquid level sensing can be achieved through liquid level sensing components (ultrasonic detectors or time-of-flight detectors, etc.).

[0135] In some embodiments, an ultrasonic detector may also be used to implement the other sensing components mentioned above besides the weight sensing component 90. The ultrasonic detector can sense the container height, beverage outlet height, beverage height inside the container, lateral offset of the container, horizontal distance, etc., and the weight sensing component 90 can sense the weight of the container and the beverage inside the container.

[0136] In some embodiments, the beverage dispensing device includes a third sensing component 70, a first sensing component 40, a second sensing component 60, and / or a fourth sensing component 80, and a liquid level sensing component. First, at least one of the third sensing component 70, the first sensing component 40, and the liquid level sensing component can sense whether a container is placed on the support platform 10. After determining that a container is placed on the support platform 10, the third sensing component 70 senses whether the container has shifted left or right relative to the beverage dispensing port 20, while one of the second sensing component 60 and the fourth sensing component 80 senses whether the container has shifted forward or backward relative to the second beverage dispensing port. After confirming that the container has not shifted left or right relative to the beverage outlet 20, and has not shifted forward or backward relative to the second beverage outlet, the height of the container and the height of the beverage outlet 20 are determined by the first sensing component 40. Based on these heights, the moving component 30 is controlled to move the beverage outlet 20 vertically in the Y direction to a suitable height for dispensing the beverage. After the beverage outlet 20 reaches the suitable height, the beverage outlet 20 is controlled to dispense the beverage (for example, first controlling the second beverage outlet to dispense the second beverage, and then controlling the first beverage outlet to dispense the first beverage). During the dispensing process of the beverage outlet 20, the height of the beverage in the container can be sensed by the liquid level sensing component. Combining the sensing result of the container height, the dispensing height of the beverage is controlled, which not only enables the beverage outlet 20 to dispense beverage at a preset height, but also prevents the beverage from overflowing. The liquid level sensing component can be an ultrasonic detector or a time-of-flight detector; the first sensing component 40, the second sensing component 60, the third sensing component 70, and the fourth sensing component 80 can be infrared sensing components.

[0137] In some embodiments, the beverage dispensing device further includes a weight sensing component 90. The weight sensing component 90 can also sense whether a container is placed on the support platform 10. After determining that a container is placed on the support platform 10, the weight sensing component 90, together with the third sensing component 70, can sense whether the container has shifted left or right relative to the beverage dispensing port 20. The sensing results of the weight sensing component 90 and the third sensing component 70 can be compared to reduce or avoid sensing errors related to left-right shifting. The weight sensing component 90 can also, together with one of the second sensing component 60 and the fourth sensing component 80, sense whether the container has shifted forward or backward relative to the second beverage dispensing port to reduce sensing errors related to forward or backward shifting. Alternatively, the second sensing component 60 and the fourth sensing component 80 can be omitted, and the weight sensing component 90 can independently sense whether the container has shifted forward or backward relative to the second beverage dispensing port. The weight sensing component 90 can also sense the weight of the beverage inside the container during the dispensing process from the beverage dispensing port 20 to control the dispensing weight of the beverage. Meanwhile, during the process of dispensing beverage from the beverage outlet 20, it can also respond to whether the sensing result of the weight sensing component 90 changes within a preset time interval to determine whether the beverage in the container has overflowed. For example, if the sensing result of the weight sensing component 90 changes within the preset time interval, it means that the beverage has not overflowed; otherwise, it means that the beverage has overflowed.

[0138] The above description is merely an embodiment of this application and does not limit the patent scope of this application. Any equivalent structural or procedural transformations made using the content of this application's specification and drawings, or direct or indirect applications in other related technical fields, are similarly included within the patent protection scope of this application.

Claims

1. A beverage dispensing device, characterized in that, The beverage dispensing device includes: A support platform is used to support containers; A beverage outlet is located above the support platform and is used to dispense beverages. A movable component is connected to the beverage outlet, and the movable component is used to drive the beverage outlet to move in a vertical direction; A first sensing component is disposed above the support platform. The first sensing component includes a first signal transmitter and a first signal receiver. The first signal receiver and the first signal transmitter are respectively disposed on opposite sides of the support platform along the horizontal direction. The first sensing component is used to sense the beverage outlet and the container on the support platform. A processor is connected to the beverage outlet, the moving component, and the first sensing component. The processor is used to control the moving component and the beverage outlet based on the sensing results of the first sensing component.

2. The beverage dispensing device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first sensing component includes multiple sets of first transceiver components. Each set of first transceiver components includes a first signal transmitter and a first signal receiver. The first signal transmitter and the first signal receiver in the same set are arranged in a horizontal direction, and the multiple sets of first transceiver components are arranged at intervals in a vertical direction.

3. The beverage dispensing device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The first sensing component includes N sets of the first transceiver components arranged at intervals from top to bottom; Along the vertical direction, the beverage outlet has a preset highest position and a preset lowest position. The preset highest position is located above the first transceiver component in the first group; the preset lowest position is located above the first transceiver component in the Nth group.

4. The beverage dispensing device according to claim 3, characterized in that, The first transceiver component in group N is positioned at a preset minimum container height.

5. The beverage dispensing device according to claim 3, characterized in that, The first sensing component further includes at least an auxiliary transceiver component disposed vertically below the Nth group of the first transceiver components; The processor performs redundant sensing on the container based on the sensing results of the auxiliary transceiver component.

6. The beverage dispensing device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first signal transmitter includes an infrared emitting tube, and the first signal receiver includes an infrared receiving tube.

7. The beverage dispensing device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, The beverage dispensing device includes a housing, which has a bottom wall, a top wall opposite to the bottom wall, two side walls on opposite sides of the support platform, and a back wall. The back wall connects the bottom wall, the top wall, and the two side walls. The first signal transmitter and the first signal receiver are respectively disposed on the two side walls; the beverage outlet is disposed on the top wall, and the support platform is located above the bottom wall.

8. The beverage dispensing device according to claim 7, characterized in that, The beverage outlet includes a first beverage outlet and a second beverage outlet; the beverage dispensing device further includes: The second sensing component is disposed on the side wall and along the front-back direction, and the second sensing component is positioned closer to the second beverage outlet relative to the first sensing component; The second sensing component is connected to the processor, and the processor is further configured to determine, based on the sensing result of the second sensing component, whether the front-to-back distance between the container and the back wall is less than or equal to a preset distance, so as to determine whether the front-to-back distance between the container and the second beverage outlet meets the beverage output requirements.

9. The beverage dispensing device according to claim 7, characterized in that, The beverage dispensing device also includes: A third sensing component is disposed on the back wall and connected to the processor. The third sensing component includes at least two sets of third transceiver components. The third transceiver components are disposed on both sides of the beverage outlet along the left-right direction. The signal receiving area of ​​each group of the third transceiver components covers at least part of its signal transmitting area, and the signal transmitting area is arranged parallel to or at an angle to the front-back direction along the inner edge of the beverage outlet in the left-right direction; the processor is also used to determine whether the container has shifted left or right relative to the beverage outlet based on the sensing results of the third sensing component.

10. The beverage dispensing device according to claim 7, characterized in that, The beverage dispensing device also includes: A fourth sensing component is disposed on the back wall or side wall and connected to the processor. The fourth sensing component includes at least one set of fourth transceiver components for sensing whether the horizontal distance between the container and the back wall or the side wall is less than or equal to a preset distance, so as to determine whether the horizontal distance between the container and the beverage outlet meets the beverage output requirements. The signal transmission area and signal reception area of ​​the fourth transceiver component have an overlapping area, and the maximum dimension of the overlapping area in the horizontal direction is the preset distance.

11. The beverage dispensing device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The beverage dispensing device also includes: A weight sensing component is disposed on the support platform and connected to the processor. The processor is also used to sense the container and / or the beverage inside the container based on the sensing results of the weight sensing component.

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