Apparatus for making beverages using capsules containing a food substance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beverage-making apparatuses face challenges with high energy consumption and risk of dirtying due to constant lighting for optical capsule recognition, and unwanted light emissions.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus with a switchable lighting device that activates only when a capsule is detected in the image capture zone, using a detecting device to control the lighting and image acquisition, minimizing energy use and reducing exposure to potential contamination, while eliminating unnecessary light emissions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the lighting device is constantly active for optical capsule recognition, then the capsule recognition is reliable, but the energy consumption increases and the risk of dirtying the image acquisition device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting device operates periodically rather than continuously, activating only when a capsule is detected in the capture zone and deactivating when no capsule is present. This periodic operation maintains reliable capsule recognition when needed while dramatically reducing overall energy consumption and minimizing exposure to contamination risks.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the detecting device to automatically control the lighting device based on the presence of a capsule, eliminating the need for manual intervention. The lighting device serves itself by activating only when required for capsule recognition, thereby reducing energy waste and contamination risk while maintaining recognition reliability.
2Reliability
If the lighting device is constantly active, then the capsule recognition is reliable, but unwanted light emissions occur
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting device is activated periodically only when a capsule is detected in the capture zone and deactivated when no capsule is present. This eliminates unwanted light emissions during periods when capsule recognition is not needed, while maintaining reliable recognition when a capsule is present.
Solution Approach 2:
The harmful unwanted light emissions are extracted or removed from the system by conditionally deactivating the lighting device when not needed. The lighting is separated from continuous operation and only occurs during necessary capsule recognition events, eliminating unnecessary light pollution.
3Reliability
If the lighting device is constantly active, then the capsule recognition is reliable, but the wear on components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting device operates periodically rather than continuously, activating only when a capsule is detected and deactivating when no capsule is present. This reduces the cumulative operating time and wear on the lighting device and image acquisition device, extending their lifespan while maintaining reliable capsule recognition when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The detecting device automatically controls the lighting device to activate only when required, reducing unnecessary wear on components. The system self-regulates to minimize component usage while ensuring reliable operation during capsule recognition events.
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 solution reduces energy consumption and wear on components, minimizes light emissions, and prevents dirtying of the image acquisition device, while ensuring efficient capsule recognition and beverage production.
Implementation Method 1
optical recognition of the capsule by means of a reading device suitable for reading information (for example, a bar code or a QR code) which are located on the capsule
Implementation Method 2
a lighting device 62 associated with the capture zone for lighting with light in the visible spectrum said portion of a capsule that in use is positioned in the capture zone
Implementation Method 3
making water circulate through the capsule contained in the closed extraction chamber, thereby causing the beverage to be formed following the interaction between the water and the food substance
Data Source
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AI summary
An apparatus for making beverages using capsules (2) containing a food substance, comprising at least one image acquisition device (13) suitable for capturing images in electronic format, which show at least one portion of a capsule (2) located in an image capture zone (14) and which operates in the visible spectrum, a lighting device (15) associated with the capture zone (14) for lighting with light in the visible spectrum said portion of a capsule (2), and a detecting device (17) for detecting the presence of a capsule (2) at the capture zone (14) and/or the arrival of a capsule (2) in the capture zone (14), the detecting device (17) being operatively associated with the lighting device (15) for causing the switching of the lighting device (15) from a switched off condition to a switched on condition, depending on the detection of the presence of a capsule (2) at the capture zone (14) and/or of the arrival of a capsule (2) in the capture zone (14).