Beverage dispenser
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beverage dispensers lack the ability to accurately determine the volume of beverage to dispense based on the size of the vessel, leading to potential overflow or underfilling, and often fail to prevent cross-contamination between different beverages.
Innovation Solution
A beverage dispenser equipped with a sensor arrangement that measures the distance between the vessel walls and the sensor, allowing for precise volume determination, and features separate conveying tubes for each beverage to prevent cross-contamination, along with a control system for user input and a cooling system to maintain beverage temperature.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a sensor arrangement measures distance between vessel walls and sensor to determine beverage volume, then volume determination accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical volume measurement methods with a sensor arrangement that uses optical, electromagnetic, or capacitive fields to measure distance between the vessel wall and sensor. This substitution enables precise volume determination without complex mechanical gauges or manual measurement systems, resolving the contradiction by achieving high measurement precision through field-based sensing rather than mechanical means.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If separate conveying tubes are used for different beverages, then cross-contamination prevention is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the beverage conveying system into separate, dedicated tubes for different beverages. Each beverage type has its own isolated conveying path from storage to dispensing nozzle, preventing cross-contamination through physical separation. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by eliminating harmful cross-contamination effects while maintaining manageable device complexity through modular tube design.
3Ease of operation
If the dispenser automatically determines vessel size and dispenses appropriate volume, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-service system where the sensor arrangement automatically detects vessel size and the control system autonomously determines the appropriate beverage volume to dispense. The system performs measurement and decision-making without user intervention, improving ease of operation. This resolves the contradiction by automating the process, which, while requiring precise measurement capability, eliminates the need for manual measurement and user judgment.
4Productivity
If multiple nozzles dispense different beverages simultaneously, then productivity is improved, but risk of cross-contamination increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent assigns dedicated conveying tubes to each nozzle and beverage type, creating segmented, isolated flow paths. Even when multiple nozzles dispense simultaneously, the physical separation of tubes prevents cross-contamination between different beverages. This resolves the contradiction by enabling high productivity through parallel dispensing while maintaining beverage purity through tube segmentation.
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
Ensures accurate beverage dispensing volumes and prevents cross-contamination while maintaining beverage quality through precise volume control and separate conduits, enhancing user convenience and hygiene.
Implementation Method 1
a sensor arrangement for providing signals based on which a distance between one or more wall portions of the vessel, when located in the vessel-receiving region, and the sensor arrangement can be determined
Data Source
AI summary
A beverage dispenser for dispensing a beverage into a vessel, the beverage dispenser including a vessel-receiving region in which the vessel is locatable for receiving beverage; and a sensor arrangement for providing signals based on which a distance between one or more wall portions of the vessel, when located in the vessel-receiving region, and the sensor arrangement can be determined, wherein a volume of beverage to be dispensed into the vessel can be determined based on the determined distance between one or more wall portions of the vessel and the sensor arrangement.