Equipment for the preparation of beverages using capsules containing a food substance
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beverage-making apparatuses with image acquisition devices for capsule detection are prone to accidental activation due to false detection of objects, leading to unnecessary energy consumption and potential hazards.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus with an image acquisition device positioned to frame a specific pattern within the forward movement duct, allowing for the acquisition of digital images and processing to differentiate between capsule presence and absence, reducing false activation by comparing images to a reference frame and classifying based on pattern visibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the image acquisition device is constantly active to detect capsule presence, then the detection reliability is improved, but the energy consumption increases and false activation occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The image acquisition device operates periodically rather than continuously, acquiring images at intervals or triggered by events (such as when the capsule enters the detection zone). This periodic operation reduces energy consumption while maintaining adequate detection capability, resolving the contradiction between reliable detection and energy efficiency.
2Reliability
If the image acquisition device is positioned to monitor the entire forward movement duct, then the detection coverage is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The detection function is extracted to a specific localized zone within the forward movement duct where the pattern is placed. Instead of monitoring the entire duct, the image acquisition device focuses on this specific detection zone, reducing the required field of view and simplifying the system while maintaining effective capsule detection through the distinctive pattern recognition.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for making beverages, which uses capsules containing a food substance, comprising a forward movement duct for a capsule which extends between an infeed section and an extraction unit, an image acquisition device associated with a first side of the forward movement duct and facing towards an opposite side so as to frame a predetermined portion of an inner surface of the forward movement duct, a pattern having a known shape present in the predetermined portion, wherein an electronic processing unit is programmed to receive a first image acquired by the image acquisition device, and to perform an inspection step, during which the processing unit inspects the first image, a classification step, in which it classifies the first image as corresponding to an image of the transit zone-occupied by a capsule or not, and a control step, in which it controls the operation of the apparatus depending on the result of the classification step.