Automatic system for dispensing liquid ingredients for instant beverage production
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automatic beverage dispensing systems are expensive, cumbersome, and inaccurate, and they fail to produce different types of drinks instantaneously, often taking more than 30 seconds to prepare a drink.
Innovation Solution
An automatic system that uses a modular design with load cells for precise ingredient measurement, real-time monitoring, and communication protocols like Bluetooth Low Energy and Wi-Fi to manage and control the dispensing of liquid ingredients based on predefined recipes, allowing for customizable mixtures and efficient production.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If flow pumps with adjustable opening are used to meter liquids, then liquid delivery control is achieved, but the system becomes expensive and cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical flow metering systems (adjustable opening flow pumps) with a weighing system. Load cells measure the weight of dispensed liquid ingredients, and a processor calculates volume from weight using density data. This substitution eliminates the need for complex mechanical metering mechanisms while achieving accurate measurement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces load cells as intermediary measurement devices between the liquid dispensing mechanism and the control system. These load cells provide weight measurements that are then converted to volume measurements through software calculation, serving as a mediator that simplifies the overall metering system.
2Productivity
If traditional dispensing systems are used, then liquid delivery is achieved, but preparation time exceeds 30 seconds
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-loading multiple liquid ingredient reservoirs into the dispensing device. The touch screen interface pre-configures dispensing parameters and recipes before actual beverage preparation. This allows the system to be ready for instant dispensing without requiring setup time during customer service.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements continuous operation capabilities where the system can dispense multiple beverages in sequence without interruption. The dual reservoir system allows one reservoir to be dispensed from while another is being prepared or replaced, ensuring continuous useful action and eliminating idle time between beverage preparations.
3Quantity of substance
If flow pump opening is adjusted for metering, then liquid quantity control is achieved, but measurement accuracy is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical flow-based measurement with direct weight measurement using load cells. This substitution provides superior measurement precision because weight measurement is inherently more accurate than flow rate measurement, which is subject to variations in pump performance, viscosity changes, and temperature effects.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback control by continuously monitoring the weight of dispensed liquid through load cells and comparing it against the target quantity. The processor adjusts the dispensing process in real-time based on this feedback, ensuring accurate measurement and compensation for any deviations.
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple beverage types are supported, then system versatility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal dispensing system where a single device can prepare multiple different beverage types by selecting from pre-configured recipes. The touch screen interface allows flexible configuration of different liquid ingredient combinations, enabling the same hardware to serve multiple beverage functions without requiring separate specialized equipment for each drink type.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system achieves accurate, fast, and cost-effective production of various beverages by controlling ingredient delivery based on weight measurements, reducing preparation time to under 30 seconds and enhancing the quality of mixed drinks.
Implementation Method 1
a load cell placed in a lower portion of the dispensing area on which a container is placed in which the liquids are to be delivered
Data Source
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AI summary
An automatic system (100) for dispensing liquid ingredients for instant beverage production comprising: an automatic dispensing device (101) configured to manage requests of beverages and automatically produce the required beverage; a management software (110); a remote server (111) communicating with the automatic dispensing device (101) and with the management software (110). The automatic dispensing device (101) comprises: an outer body (120) comprising a flat base, a front portion in which a dispensing area (121) is formed and a display (122) placed on the outer body (120); a plurality of reservoirs for liquids; a plurality of dispensers (124) connected to at least one tank for liquids and managed by at least one pump module (125); a load cell (123), configured to receive a vessel where the liquids can be dispensed; a control unit.