Apparatus for making beverages using capsules containing a food substance
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beverage-making apparatuses face challenges with energy consumption and risk of dirtying due to constant lighting for optical capsule recognition, and unwanted light emissions.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus with an image acquisition device and a switchable lighting system that activates only when a capsule is detected, positioned outside the extraction chamber, minimizing energy use and light exposure, and using a detecting device to control the lighting and image capture.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the lighting device is kept active for optical capsule recognition, then the capsule can be recognized accurately, but energy consumption increases and the lighting device wears faster
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting device is activated periodically only when a capsule is detected in the insertion path, rather than remaining continuously active. The control unit receives signals from detection means and switches the lighting device on only during the brief period when capsule recognition is needed, then switches it off. This periodic activation maintains recognition accuracy while dramatically reducing energy consumption and device wear.
2Measurement precision
If the lighting device is kept active for optical capsule recognition, then the capsule can be recognized accurately, but unwanted light emissions occur
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting device operates periodically only when triggered by the detection of a capsule, eliminating continuous light emissions. The control unit coordinates the lighting device activation with capsule presence detection, ensuring light is emitted only when and where needed for recognition, thus removing the harmful effect of constant unwanted light emissions while preserving recognition accuracy.
3Measurement precision
If the reading device is positioned inside the extraction chamber for capsule recognition, then capsule identification can be performed, but the reading device is exposed to high risk of dirtying
Solution Approach 1:
The reading device is extracted from the extraction chamber and repositioned in the infeed section where capsules are fed into the apparatus. This location change allows the reading device to perform optical recognition of capsules before they enter the extraction chamber, maintaining recognition capability while completely avoiding exposure to the dirty environment inside the extraction chamber where steam, water, and food particles are present.
4Use of energy by moving object
If the lighting device is activated only when capsule is detected outside extraction chamber, then energy consumption is reduced, but capsule recognition must be performed at specific location
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs capsule recognition as a preliminary action in the infeed section before the capsule enters the extraction chamber. The detection means identify capsule presence early in the feeding process, triggering the lighting device and image acquisition device to capture recognition data at this early stage. This preliminary recognition approach reduces energy consumption while the system design ensures the infeed section provides adequate lighting and positioning for successful recognition.
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, minimizes the risk of dirtying, and eliminates unwanted light emissions while ensuring accurate capsule recognition for beverage production.
Implementation Method 1
an image acquisition device (13) positioned in an image capture zone (14) which is located along the insertion path, upstream of the extraction chamber (4)... suitable for capturing images in electronic format which show at least one portion of a capsule (2) located in the capture zone (14)
Implementation Method 2
a lighting device (15) associated with the capture zone (14), for in use lighting with light in the visible spectrum the capsule (2) located in the capture zone (14), at the portion of the capsule bearing the information to be detected
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for making beverages using capsules (2) containing a food substance, having 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).