Beverage Dispenser Mass Sensor Portion Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automatic beverage dispensing systems require support equipment for automated filling and struggle with accurately determining cup size and beverage portion control, especially when cups contain varying amounts of liquid or ice.
Innovation Solution
A beverage dispenser equipped with a mass sensor and advanced portion control system that measures the mass of a cup to predict its size and adjust beverage dispensing accordingly, using algorithms to determine the correct volume to dispense, even when cups are partially full or contain ice.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a mass sensor is used to measure cup mass for portion control, then beverage dispensing accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mass sensor is integrated into the dispenser's existing control system, merging the measurement function with the dispensing control. The controller processes mass sensor data along with cup size selection inputs to determine dispensing parameters, combining multiple functions into a unified control mechanism that improves accuracy without proportionally increasing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the mass sensor to automatically detect and adapt to the actual cup being used, eliminating the need for manual cup size selection in many cases. The controller calculates the required dispense volume based on the measured cup mass and selected cup size, allowing the system to self-adjust to varying cup conditions without additional user intervention.
2Measurement precision
If algorithms account for ice and partial fill conditions, then cup size detection accuracy is improved, but processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-stores density values for different beverages and ice conditions in the controller's memory. Before dispensing, the controller retrieves the appropriate density value based on the selected beverage type and ice conditions, performing the complex calculation准备工作 in advance rather than during the actual dispense operation, thus improving real-time accuracy without adding processing burden during critical moments.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller dynamically adjusts the density parameter based on detected ice conditions and beverage type. By changing the density parameter to reflect actual conditions (ice-filled vs. non-ice, different beverage types), the system accurately calculates dispense volumes without requiring complex real-time physics calculations, simplifying the processing while maintaining high accuracy.
3Measurement precision
If the system stops dispensing based on mass change monitoring, then portion control precision is improved, but dispensing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs a preliminary dispense to reach the calculated target volume based on cup mass and density, then applies a smaller corrective dispense to fine-tune the portion. This partial action approach achieves high precision without requiring continuously monitored mass changes throughout the entire dispense process, reducing the time penalty while maintaining accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller uses real-time mass sensor feedback during dispensing to monitor the cup's mass change rate. When the mass change falls below a threshold or the cup is removed, the system automatically stops dispensing, providing precise portion control with minimal time extension. The feedback loop is optimized to terminate quickly once the target portion is reached or the cup is removed.
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 efficient and accurate beverage dispensing without crew supervision, allowing for quicker order fulfillment and reduced waste by ensuring the correct amount of beverage is dispensed into cups of varying sizes and ice contents.
Implementation Method 1
a mass sensor configured to measure a mass of a cup placed on a platform
Data Source
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AI summary
A beverage dispensing system is configured to facilitate communication between a point-of-sale terminal and a beverage dispenser for receiving and fulfilling beverage orders. The dispensing system comprises a translation server that maps beverage orders between the point-of-sale entry data and beverage dispenser recipe data. An automatic portion control (APC) assembly comprises a mass sensor that is configured to determine a mass of a cup resting thereon. Using the mass of the cup, the dispenser makes a cup size prediction and performs portion control dispensing operations. Based on the cup size prediction, a user interface is modified to allow for quicker interactions. The APC assembly is positioned beneath a nozzle of the beverage dispenser and comprises a removable platform assembly magnetically coupled to a mass sensor assembly. The mass sensor assembly comprises a load cell or other mass sensor.