Apparatus for making a beverage, comprising an image acquisition device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current beverage making apparatuses face issues with water condensation and misting on the viewing window of image acquisition devices, which can hinder the recognition of capsule types and lead to operational errors, especially in low temperatures.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a heating element, such as an electrical resistor-type heater, directly on the viewing window of the image acquisition device to prevent or reduce water condensation, ensuring the device can function effectively without user intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the image acquisition device is positioned in the infusion chamber or upstream where water vapour is present, then capsule recognition can be performed, but water condensation and misting occur on the viewing window which hinders device operation and causes reading errors
Solution Approach 1:
The heating element is activated before or during the image acquisition process to preemptively prevent condensation formation on the viewing window. By heating the window surface above the dew point temperature, the harmful condensation effect is counteracted before it can interfere with capsule recognition, ensuring reliable operation in the humid environment of the infusion chamber
Solution Approach 2:
The temperature parameter of the viewing window is actively changed and maintained above the dew point through the heating element. This parameter modification prevents the phase change of water vapour to liquid condensation on the window surface, thereby eliminating misting and maintaining optical clarity for accurate capsule recognition
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a fan is used to create forced airflow on the viewing window to prevent condensation, then condensation can be reduced, but the device complexity increases and user intervention is required
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical fan-based airflow system is replaced with an electrical heating element that directly addresses condensation through thermal energy. This substitution eliminates the need for mechanical moving parts, control systems for fan operation, and user intervention, thereby reducing device complexity while effectively preventing condensation on the viewing window
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the viewing window is positioned to be easily accessible for manual cleaning, then condensation can be removed, but the device complexity increases and manual intervention is required
Solution Approach 1:
The viewing window performs self-service by using the heating element to prevent condensation formation autonomously without requiring user intervention for cleaning. The system self-regulates the window temperature to maintain it above the dew point, eliminating the need for manual cleaning operations and improving ease of operation
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of requiring users to clean condensation after it forms, the heating element takes preliminary action to prevent condensation formation in the first place. This proactive approach eliminates the need for manual cleaning intervention and maintains continuous operational readiness
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 heating element efficiently heats the viewing window, preventing condensation and ensuring accurate capsule recognition, thereby enhancing the operational reliability of the beverage making apparatus.
Implementation Method 1
The heat produced by the heating element is transferred by conduction to the viewing window, which is consequently heated.
Implementation Method 2
The heating element is an electrical resistor-type heater and is connectable to an electricity supply, thus it heats the viewing window during use of the apparatus.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for making a beverage including an infusion chamber for a capsule containing a food substance, an insertion opening for inserting the capsule into the apparatus, a transfer channel for transferring the capsule from the insertion opening to the infusion chamber, an image acquisition device to acquire at least one image of a portion of the capsule. The image acquisition device includes an optical sensor facing an image capture zone in which, in use, said capsule is located or passes. A viewing window, made of transparent material, is interposed between the optical sensor and the image capture zone. A heating element for heating the viewing window is applied to, or incorporated in, the viewing window.