Automated Dilution Ratio Adjustment in Beverage Dispensers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional beverage dispensers require manual adjustment of dilution ratios when changing concentrated syrups, leading to incorrect taste and premature syrup depletion, affecting profitability and customer wait times.

Innovation Solution

An automated dilution ratio adjusting apparatus and method that calculates and controls the driving pulses and pulse frequency of a stepping motor to adjust the supply of concentrated syrup based on designated dilution ratios and container sizes, ensuring synchronized supply of dilution water and syrup.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If manual adjustment of dilution ratio is performed when changing concentrated syrups, then the beverage dispenser can operate with different syrup types, but the adjustment process becomes troublesome and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to use different concentrated syrups with different dilution ratiosVSAvoidmanual adjustment process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The beverage dispenser automatically calculates and adjusts the syrup supply amount based on the dilution ratio stored in its memory unit. When a syrup type is selected, the system self-adjusts the pump operation parameters without requiring manual intervention, making the system serve itself in the adjustment process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the operational parameters (pump speed, supply amount, time duration) of the syrup delivery mechanism based on the dilution ratio parameters stored for different syrup types. This allows automatic adaptation to different syrups by modifying control parameters rather than physical configurations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If the dilution ratio setting is incorrect, then the beverage taste is affected, but manual verification and adjustment increase operation time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccuracy of dilution ratio settingVSAvoidtime for verification and adjustment

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system incorporates a input unit for receiving dilution ratio information, a memory unit for storing it, and a control unit that uses this stored information to automatically adjust pump operations. This feedback loop ensures the correct dilution ratio is applied without manual verification

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The dilution ratio information for different syrup types is pre-stored in the memory unit before operation. When a syrup type is selected, the system immediately retrieves and applies the pre-stored parameters, eliminating the need for real-time calculation or verification

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If the concentrated syrup supply amount is set too high, then the beverage can be prepared quickly, but the syrup runs out before expected sales, reducing profitability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebeverage preparation speedVSAvoidconcentrated syrup depletion

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system precisely controls the syrup supply amount by changing pump operation parameters (speed, duration, pulse width) based on the specific dilution ratio of each syrup type. This parameter adjustment ensures optimal syrup usage that matches actual demand

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces manual estimation and adjustment with an automated control system that uses stored dilution ratio data to calculate and execute precise syrup delivery, substituting mechanical/manual adjustment with electronic control

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

Enables quick and accurate adjustment of dilution ratios without manual intervention, reducing syrup replacement time and minimizing customer wait, while maintaining consistent beverage quality.

Implementation Method 1

a cooling section to generate dilution water by cooling tap water or the like

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCooling: Cooling

Implementation Method 2

a tube pump for causing the syrup tank to discharge a given amount of concentrated syrup

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPumping: Pump

Implementation Method 3

a mixer for mixing the concentrated syrup supplied by the tube pump and the cooled dilution water supplied by the tube pump

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMixing: Stirring

Data Source

PatentUS9511987B2Apparatus for and method of adjusting dilution ratio in beverage dispenser

Publication Date: 2016.12.06 HAYAKAWA SANKI

AI summary

A dilution ratio adjusting apparatus in a beverage dispenser and a method of dilution adjustment calculates driving pulse numbers and pulse frequencies necessary for operating tube pumps discharging concentrated syrup based on dilution ratio information and basic flow rate information for discharging the concentrated syrup to thereby control the operation of the tube pumps, whereby easy and quick change in setting of the beverage dispenser is achieved even when changing of a concentrated syrup to another concentrated syrup with a different dilution ratio.